caño negro — caño negro wildlife refuge
Lagoons and canals of the Frío River in northern Costa Rica, a Ramsar refuge with guapote, tarpon, snook and tropical gar, with fishing only in the permitted season.
The Caño Negro Mixed National Wildlife Refuge sits in the lower basin of the Frío River, in Los Chiles canton, near the Nicaragua border. It has been a Ramsar site since 1991, with Caño Negro Lagoon, smaller lagoons and canals that fill with rain and break up into pools in the dry season. Sport fishing is done from a canoe or launch, with rod or handline. Guapote lagunero and guapote pinto hit plugs, spinners and small lures near the vegetation; tarpon swim up from the Caribbean through the rivers and show up in the deeper canals; snook also come in. The tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus), a fish with hard scales and a long snout full of teeth, is the refuge's emblem. Non-native tilapia are also in the lagoons.
best season
Sport fishing only from August to March; from April to July the refuge's closed season applies. As the rains end, from December to March, the lagoon shrinks and fish gather in the canals.
Local rules: In the refuge (SINAC, Decree 15120-MAG of 1984), sport fishing is only with rod or handline, in the permitted season, August to March, and with the corresponding license; outside that, the closed season applies (2012 Management Plan). Nets are allowed only for traditional uses by the Malecu people. Carry your INCOPESCA card and confirm the refuge license at the SINAC station. Entry fee of US$ 5.65 for foreigners. Tropical gar is a conservation target and suffers from illegal fishing: release it. Confirm local rules.
- getting there
- From San José, drive north via Ciudad Quesada to Los Chiles, then to the village of Caño Negro on the refuge's edge. Boats leave from the village piers.
- facilities
- SINAC station with a pier, restrooms and an observation tower. In the village of Caño Negro, inns, food, guides and private boatmen.
- country
- Alajuela, Costa Rica
tip
In the dry season fish concentrate in the canals: fish early with small lures, and watch for crocodiles and caimans on the banks and ramps.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
what you can catch here
before you fish in Costa Rica
Every sport angler must carry the INCOPESCA sport fishing card (license), for nationals and foreigners alike. It can be obtained online on the INCOPESCA website or at regional offices. For boat fishing, the INCOPESCA table lists US$16.95 for 8 days, US$28.25 per month and US$56.50 per year (fees set in 2018, kept for 2025 by agreement AJDIP/296-2024, including tax). The annual card for shore or kayak fishing is for nationals and residents. Inside refuges and parks, inland-water fishing may also require a SINAC license.
- Marlins and sailfish: in sport fishing, catch and release in the water, according to INCOPESCA.
- In SINAC protected areas, the rules of each area's management plan apply (for example, at Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge fishing is only allowed with hook, rod or handline, and nets are prohibited).
- Anglers must observe minimum sizes, catch limits and closed seasons set by INCOPESCA.
The rules and closed seasons in the rest of the app are Brazilian. Outside Brazil, the regulations of the country and province apply: confirm with the official agency.
sources and references
Access, facilities and season information changes: check with the lodge, a local guide or the city hall before you travel.
- official SINAC — Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mixto Caño NegroDecree 15120-MAG of 1984; Ramsar site since December 27, 1991; 83% in Los Chiles; snook, tarpon and tropical gar of interest to sport fishing; fees and services
- official SINAC — Plan General de Manejo del RNVS Mixto Caño Negro (2012)Sport fishing with rod and line in the permitted season (August to March) and with a license; fishing according to the closed-season decree; guapote lagunero and guapote pinto, tarpon, non-native tilapia
- official INCOPESCA — Carnés (licença de pesca deportiva)Card types and fees