lake dos bocas — utuado and arecibo
1942 reservoir in north-central Puerto Rico, with introduced peacock bass and black bass and daily limits set by the DRNA.
Lake Dos Bocas was created in 1942 with the dam of a hydroelectric plant on the Río Grande de Arecibo, between Utuado and Arecibo, and also receives the Caonillas and Limón rivers. It is still a water reserve for supply to the north coast. It is a narrow lake, wedged between hills, that by 2005 had lost more than half its original capacity to siltation, with sediment banks where the rivers enter. The sport fish are introduced: the peacock bass (pavón), called tucunaré or pinto in Puerto Rico and recorded as Cichla ocellaris, and black bass. Fishing is from a small boat or kayak, with surface lures, jigs and plugs along the rocky shores, logs and vegetation.
best season
Fishing all year. From December to April, in the driest season, the water tends to be clearer; after heavy rains the lake rises and turns muddy as the rivers come down.
Local rules: The Puerto Rico Fishing Regulation (DRNA Regulation 7949) requires a recreational fishing license for inland waters for anyone 13 or older; confirm with the DRNA whether it is already being issued. At Dos Bocas, as at most reservoirs, the daily limit is 8 peacock bass and 10 black bass per angler, with a minimum size of 12 inches (30 cm) for both; released fish do not count toward the limit. Using black bass or peacock bass as bait is prohibited. The lake supplies water to the north coast: do not leave litter or oil. Confirm local rules.
- getting there
- It lies between Arecibo and Utuado, in north-central Puerto Rico. From San Juan, take PR-22 to Arecibo and then south on PR-10 toward Utuado.
- facilities
- Lodging, shops and fuel in Arecibo and Utuado. Bring a small boat or kayak and check water access points beforehand; silted arms are too shallow.
- country
- Utuado e Arecibo, Puerto Rico
tip
Peacock bass hit surface and mid-water lures well on sunny days, near rocks and logs. In the shallow arms, move slowly and watch for mud banks.
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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 Puerto Rico
The Puerto Rico Fishing Regulation (Regulation 7949, 2010, from the DRNA) requires a recreational fishing license, for sea or inland water, for anyone aged 13 or older. The text sets fees for foreign visitors of US$7 per day, US$10 for 7 days and US$50 per year, but left the license start date to a public notice from the DRNA: confirm with the DRNA whether it is already required. Charter boat customers do not need a license while fishing with the boat owner or their employee; for species that require a permit, the owner buys a 1-day one for each customer.
- Tarpon and bonefish: catch and release only; it is prohibited to fish for and transport these fish (Regulation 7949, art. 18.10).
- Minimum size for billfish in recreational fishing: blue marlin 99 inches (251 cm), white marlin 66 inches (168 cm), sailfish 63 inches (160 cm), measured from the lower jaw to the fork (art. 18.8).
- In recreational fishing only rod and baitcasting or spinning reel, or line and hook (with few exceptions), are allowed; selling fish is prohibited; and the mahi-mahi limit is 10 per angler or 30 per boat per day (art. 18).
- Beyond 9 miles from the coast begin US federal waters, with their own federal rules.
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 DRNA — Reglamento de Pesca de Puerto Rico 2010 (Reglamento 7949)Art. 16 (recreational license for inland waters, from age 13, with a start date announced by the DRNA); arts. 18.12 and 18.17 (bait and limits); Appendix 5 (black bass 10 per day, 12 in.; peacock bass 8 per day, 12 in.)
- scientific USGS — Soler-López (2007), Sedimentation history of Lago Dos Bocas, Puerto Rico, 1942-2005 (SIR 2007-5053)1942 dam in Utuado; Caonillas, Grande de Arecibo and Limón rivers; loss of 54% of capacity by 2005; essential reserve for supply to the north coast
- scientific USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species — Cichla ocellaris, registros em Porto RicoDos Bocas Reservoir (Arecibo), established population, record from 2007
- scientific USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species — largemouth bass, registros em Porto RicoDos Bocas Reservoir (Arecibo), established population, record from 2007; the database now uses the name Micropterus nigricans