lake strobel (jurassic lake) — barrancoso river
Remote lake on the Santa Cruz plateau, famous for giant rainbow trout. Catch and release only, in the lake and in the Barrancoso River.
The Strobel is a large plateau lake in the center-west of Santa Cruz, treeless and with almost constant wind. It became known as Jurassic Lake for its huge rainbow trout, fat on shallow-water crustaceans. Fishing is with flies, on foot, along the rocky shores and at the mouth of the Barrancoso River, its main tributary. In the river, rainbows often run in large numbers during spawning season. Operations are run by lodges on isolated estancias, all-inclusive, with outings in 4x4 vehicles.
best season
Lodges operate from November to April. The lake is open all year and the Barrancoso from October 1 to May 3 (2026/2027 season). In spring the rainbow trout tend to gather at the river mouth.
Local rules: A Santa Cruz fishing permit is required (Secretaría de Estado de Pesca y Acuicultura, online application), valid only in the province. On Lake Strobel and the Barrancoso, release is mandatory, with single hooks; on the lake, motor navigation is banned. To prevent the spread of the Didymo alga, disinfect your gear; on the Barrancoso a daily disinfection certificate is required. Night fishing is banned. Access is through private estancias. Confirm the local rules.
- getting there
- Flight to El Calafate and then several hours on the road, much of it gravel. The nearest town is Gobernador Gregores. The lodges arrange the transfer.
- facilities
- Fishing lodges on estancias, with lodging, meals, guides and 4x4 vehicles. There is no town or shops near the lake.
- country
- Santa Cruz, Argentina
tip
7 or 8 weight rod, sinking line, and nymphs and scuds that imitate the lake's crustaceans. Be ready for strong, cold wind.
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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 Argentina
There is no national license: the sport fishing license belongs to each province. In northern Patagonia, the Patagonian Regulation permit issued by Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut or the National Parks Administration (APN) is valid in all these jurisdictions, including the southern parks; in 2025/2026 it cost $40,000 per season for residents of the country and from $50,000 (day) to $280,000 (season) for non-resident foreigners, with online purchase. Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego have their own permits (TDF 2026/2027: foreigners from $78,000 per day to $260,000 per season). On the coast (Buenos Aires, Entre Ríos, Corrientes) each province issues its own.
- The license is provincial. In Patagonian national parks, the APN permit or the provinces' Patagonian permit is valid, and fishing is only allowed in the environments listed in the parks' annex.
- Patagonian Regulation (2025/2026): general season from November 1 to May 1; in rivers and streams, including 200 m from their mouths, mandatory release with a single barbless hook, except for exceptions in the annexes; as a rule, one artificial lure with a single hook; selling fish prohibited; felt-soled boots prohibited.
- In national parks, all native species (perch, Patagonian pejerrey, catfish, peladillas) must be released; Atlantic salmon must be released in all environments under the regulation.
- Golden dorado: in Corrientes it is a Provincial Natural Monument (Law 6,730/2025); in Entre Ríos commercial fishing is prohibited and sport fishing is catch-and-release only (Law 11,174/2024); on the Uruguay River, shared with Uruguay, there's a CARU closed season from September 1 to December 31.
- Tierra del Fuego (2026/2027): season from October 30, 2026 to May 2, 2027, fly and spinning only, and mandatory release in all provincial environments starting March 1, 2027.
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.