Sport fishing has different modalities as they are: Spinning, Trolling, and Fly Fishing.
Spinning
This fishing technique consists of casting an artificial lure and collecting it by imitating the movements of a small fish that may have difficulty swimming.
Hooks from Pixabay
Environment
Spinning can be practiced from the shore or aboard a boat, and it is practiced both in fresh water and at sea.
The environments where the fishing takes place, the existing meteorological conditions, and the characteristics of the different species must also be taken into account.
Technique and Equipments
A rod and a reel are used to make the cast. The imitation of the fish with “difficulty” to swim is achieved by making slight pulls or jigs of the rod while rolling the artificial lure.
The rods used to practice this technique are very light, manufactured with very resistant elements like carbon fiber. Rod’s lengths vary from 1.80 m. for small rivers, streams or torrents, to up to 3.30 m for more open scenarios like big rivers or the sea.
The reels and lines used are also light and, in many cases, they are specific to this fishing modality.
Finally, regarding the decoy or lure, it varies in weight, color, shape and material (steel, wood, plastic) depending on the species being pursued and the action being attempted.
As the fish move at different depths, the lures to be used can act on the water surface, or at various depths.
Additionally, it is important to take into account that fish are “territorial” and defend their habitat from any foreign invader. For this reason, it is recommended to use lures instead of spoons, because lures tend to imitate small and young fish, which are part of the diet of older fish.
Spinning destinations in Colombia
Rio Bita, Puerto Carreño, Vichada.
Tomo and Orinoco river, Puerto Carreño, Vichada.
Punta Brava, Nuquí, Chocó.
Leticia, Amazonas.
Guatapé, Antioquia.
Siecha Lagoons, Cundinamarca.
Chingaza National Natural Park.
Trolling or trawling
Trolling is another form of freshwater sport fishing. However, this modality questions its sporting essence, since the fisherman only has to wait for the fish to be hooked.
The secret is in who operates the boat, more than in who holds the rod.
Picture by Sportfishing Colombia
Environment
Trawling is also the preferred method for catching large fish in salt water. This requires a boat capable of navigating in the sea, equipped with good seats and special and resistant fishing gear.
Technique and Equipments
When trolling, the fisherman casts the lure, which can be either soft or hard-bodied, into the water. As the boat slowly advances, the lure is left drifting away from the boat.
When it is about fifty meters away, the fisherman blocks its reel, either from the front drag or twist.
In this way, the traction of the boat’s movement makes the lure “work” in the right way, with the turning movements it was designed for.
The fish are captured by dragging the bait, which is also attached to a hook. Trawlers use heavy rods and dacron or steel fishing lines.
Trolling destinations in Colombia
Bahía Solano, Chocó.
Cartagena, Bolívar.
Fly Fishing
Without a doubt, fly fishing is the ultimate expression of sport fishing. For many fishermen, more than a fishing technique, it is an art form. This is possible due to the elegance and aesthetics that the angler shows when casting his fly.
If you care about fish wellness, let me tell yoo that fly fishing allows to apply efficiently the techniques developed for catch and release, being the best alternative for this practice.
Fly fishing by Steve Buissine from Pixabay
Environment
Fly fishing is typically on moving water, but it is also frequently done on lakes and ponds.
Technique and Equipments
This technique has a more sportive character. Unlike other techniques, fly fishing demands:
the fisherman a greater physical effort,
the mastery of complex casting techniques,
sophisticated equipment, and
a meticulous study of the place.
Fly fishing consists of throwing a lure called “fly” utilizing a line of variable diameter known as “mouse tail”. At the end of it, a nylon section of around 3 m long, called “leader”, will be tied to the end.
The “fly” is tied to the thinnest part called “tippet”. Understanding the climatic factors and many other variables will be fundamental at the time of choosing the fly to be used.
The flies of the fishermen
Flies are artificial lures that try to imitate insects or small fish that represent the food consumed by trout, dorado, or any other fish.
In this modality, the presentation of the fly is essential, and it needs a correct technique since the fish -especially the trout- know perfectly most of the insects and the way they fall into the water.
There are several types of flies:
Dry flies, which work on the surface of the water, imitating adult insects or those that have fallen into the water.
Humid flies, that work under the water, imitating diverse stages during the life of the insects before they grow and arrive at the surface.
Streamers, which imitate small young fish that are attacked by other fish.
The flies must “fall” or land in the water in the most natural and delicate way possible, so that fish do not notice the trick.
It is necessary to have a good knowledge of the life cycle of the fish as well as a minimum knowledge of the life cycle of the insects it is imitating.
It is said that a good fly fisherman ties his own flies. But do not worry, everything is learned through experience. There are schools and courses that teach fishermen how to tie a fly and how to cast it.
Fly-fishing destinations in Colombia
Rio Bita, Puerto Carreño, Vichada.
Tomo and Orinoco river, Puerto Carreño, Vichada.
Punta Brava, Nuquí, Chocó.
Leticia, Amazonas.
If you want to know more about the most incredible natural destinations in Colombia, plan your trip with us!
Current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism – environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.
Two events have consolidated Guainía in the minds of travelers, the first, the signing of the peace agreement and the second, the launch of the Ciro Guerra’s film The Embrace of the Serpent (El Abrazo de la Serpiente), winner of multiple awards around the world.
Guainía
Guainía in the Yuri language means “Land of many waters”. Its capital is Inírida, and it is located in the east of the country. The temperature of the region oscillates between 25 and 30 degrees centigrade.
Most of its territory is made up of flat extensions, although there are some elevations, mainly the so-called tepuis, which are remnants of the Guiana shield, the oldest mountainous formation on the planet.
The most famous hills are the Mavecure, but there are others hills and mountains like the so-called Aracuari, Canapiari, Guasacavi, Mavicure, Pajarito, Rana, Salvaje, Sáquiras, Sardinas, and the mountains of Caranacoa and Naquén, with heights slightly above 500 meters above sea level.
In the past this was a region afflicted by armed conflict and violence, but this situation is now in the past and the community has found in tourism an opportunity for life.
Communication Routes and Transportation in Guainía
In the department of Guainía, the main communication route is the rivers, which are the road axes of access. Roads are scarce and only passable in the dry months.
It is also important the air transport. There are two airports located in Inírida and in the town of Barranco Minas.
Tourism in Guainía
In Guainía one of the main attractions is its people, whose population is mostly composed of indigenous people (65%), who come from almost 30 different communities and belong to ethnic groups such as the puinave, curripaco, tukano, wanano, desano, piratapuyo, piapoco and yeral.
Guainía’s people
Other attractions are the Cerros de Mavecure, the Las Brujas lagoon, the Sapuara stream and the fluvial star. You can also find the Puinawai National Natural Reserve; the Pavón, Payara and Matevení Lakes, which together with the Inírida River, are destinations where you can practice water sports and sport fishing.
How to get to Guainía
You have to arrive by plane from Bogota to Puerto Inirida. The distance in straight line from Bogota is 720 Km, and it translates into 1 hour 10 min of flight.
It is recommended that you stay at least 4 days in the region to enjoy this majestic and sacred place.
In Inirida you can find several hotel offers, and all trips are made to and from the city by boat on the Inirida River and its tributary streams.
Below you will find the best destinations in Guainía.
Guainía Destinations
The Mavecure or Mavicure Hills
The Mavecure Hills are part of what we know today as deep Colombia. Embedded in the Amazon, they have become one of the most emblematic tourist destinations in Colombia.
In a study published about Ciro Guerra’s El Abrazo de la Serpiente, the Hills of Mavecure and surrounds are described as a landscape of enormousness, limitlessness, extraordinariness, and grandeur.
Mavecure Hills – Picture courtesy by Andrés Rodríguez, local indigenous guide.
The hills of Mavicure are three hours away from Puerto Inírida, the capital of Guainía. There are three tepuis called Mavicure, Mono and Pajarito that serve as an impressive viewpoint to the Guainía’s jungles.
From the top of the hills you can appreciate large extensions of jungle inhabited by indigenous communities such as the Puinaves and Curripacos.
According to Puinave Tomás Corda Medina, a native of the Barranco Tigre community, in an interview for a national newspaper:
“in the curripaco language, Mavecure comes from the words ‘mavi’, which is a palm used to make different utensils, and from ‘cure’, a poison that the ancestors took from a tree and put on the tips of their arrows for hunting with blowpipes.”
It is said that the hills were considered a magical space where humans could communicate with their gods.
The hills of Mavecure are 55 kilometers west of this city. To reach them you must take a speedboat that takes about 2 hours to travel the 55 kilometers through the Inírida River.
Climbing the Mavecure Hills
After arrival, you will have to spend the night in the El Remanso or in the El Venado indigenous communities placed at the foot of the hills.
You will need a guide to accompany you to the highest part of the hills, along the only trail suitable for walking and which does not require climbing equipment.
To reach the viewpoint, at 250 meters high, the only conditions are imposed by the weather and your physical condition. You must watch every step, and always go with a certified guide.
It is recommended to go up at a sunny moment. This is because, when it rains, the stone ground becomes slippery, and the slope makes the water run forming strong currents on the way down, which makes it very dangerous.
Once at the top you can see Pajarito and Mono; on their skirts you can see the dark green of a jungle that hides anteaters, water dogs, armadillos, limpets, chigüiros, tapirs, deer and tigers. In the distance, there are the caños that the river Inírida bathes, and other fluvial courses.
Mavecure Hills – Picture courtesy by Andrés Rodríguez, local indigenous guide.
The activities that you can do in the Mavicure Hills are bird watching, hiking, photography, and nocturnal fish watching on the banks of the Inírida River where you can see rays, guaracus, palometas, agujones and cuchas.
The Laguna de Brujas or Chalchuapa (in the language of the natives) is defined by the locals as an oasis of peace. It is a quiet place where you can escape to feel the sounds of birds and nature in all its splendor.
Situated 10 minutes by boat from Puerto Inírida, you will feel overwhelmed by the beauty of the surrounding forest. Laguna de las Brujas is announced as the preferred habitat of the pink dolphins.
A variety of stories are told among the natives, such as the legend of the “Pink Dolphin” which tells that spiritual leaders arrived there to talk to the pink dolphins about the future of the Amazon and its communities.
Others say that it was named after a legend about some witches who stole the water from another place known as “Hoyos de la caldera” (boiler holes), but during the trip they dropped the water in the air, forming the Brujas Lagoon.
The truth is that, regardless of their origins, tourists and locals can take tours through this splendid landscape in canoes, accompanied by an indigenous guide.
Caño Bocón
It is the paradise of fishing. Bocón is one of the main tributaries to the Inírida River. It is bordered by jungle.
This river is located in the territory of the Puinave ethnic community, thanks to which the river, and its lagoons, with its Peacock Bass and the large Payaras that live in it, are cared for and watched over.
Thanks to an agreement with the Puinave, fishing is allowed for a maximum group of 10 people, you will not see anyone else in fishing action during your week.
The fishing is fast and abundant: Peacocks, Payaras, Catfish, Palometas, Bocones, Morocotos, etc.
Viejita Lagoon
Another paradise for fishing in Colombia. Downstream from Puerto Inírida, where the river delivers its waters to the Guaviare.
After two hours of navigation towards the east, you can leave the river and walk around 15 minutes through the jungle until you reach the Viejita lagoon.
On a floating raft you go around the lagoon completely. From the raft you will witness epic sunsets and landscapes.
The Fluvial Star of Inírida (Estrella fluvial del Sur)
This is a must see in Colombia. This is a place where the rivers Guaviare, Atabapo and Inírida converge and swell the Orinoco River, one of the longest rivers in south American, and one of the top five largest rivers in the world.
Estrella fluvial del Sur, with its many rivers and lagoons, has been declared as a Ramsar Territory in 2014. This gave it recognition as a wetland of international importance, whose ecological and social value transcends the borders of a single country and benefits humanity.
The declaration of the Inírida River Star demand research efforts and substantial investments to safeguard the ecological integrity of the area. Ecotourism appears as a sustainable practice and activity compatible with the rational use promoted by the Ramsar Convention.
The River Star is home to 34% of Colombia’s wealth in freshwater fish species.
Colombia has the second largest number of freshwater fish species in the world.
The River Star is home to 70% of the known avifauna in Eastern Orinoco, 476 species of birds, two of which are exclusive to the place.
In the Inírida River Star there are 903 species of plants, 200 of mammals and 40 of amphibians.
The otter, the jaguar and the pink dolphin, present in the Fluvial Star, are in critical danger.
In the area there are two indigenous peoples, Puinave and Curripaco, five resguardos and 15 communities that inhabit them, who support and legitimize the decision of the declaration as a Ramsar territory.
The Flower of the Inírida
It is an endemic plant of Guainía that grows in humid savannas and whose petals are red tips. Technically, the flower of the Inirida is two species of monocotyledonous herbs belonging to the family Rapateaceae. Both species are endemic to white-sanded savannas, with extremely poor, precarious soil conditions that are hostile to any plant.
Flowers of Inírida, winter Guacamaya superba, and summer Schoenocephalium teretifolium.
There are winter and summer ones and one is bigger than the other. The Winter Flower of Inírida (Guacamaya superba), the bigger one, blooms mainly during the rainy season in the region (June – October). On the other hand the Flower Summer of Inírida (Schoenocephalium teretifolium) blooms mainly during the season of drought (December – March).
Guainianos love and protect it and travelers admire it. It can be seen in all its magnificence in the savannahs on the way to Caño Bitina. During the flowering season, the savannah is dyed red because of the abundance of flowers.
Alto de Caño Mina
The Raudal Alto de Caño Mina, one of the tributaries of the Inírida River, is one of the most overwhelming in the Colombian Amazon.
This is one of the most emblematic destinations of this Secret Colombia. It has has a 15-meter waterfall of black, red and yellow waters. Its color is produced due to a great load of tannins it has.
It is necessary to go up the Inírida River for two days. Then you leave the Inírida River and enter through the Caño Mina.
Practice water ports such as skiing, diving and sport fishing.
Camping or hammock nights.
Hiking and trekking
Hiking through the forest to the indigenous community of Venado.
Recommendations
This is a trip to the jungle, so you have to be prepared for BASIC conditions of accommodation, food, transport etc. You will not find luxury things especially at night, because you will have to sleep in the community.
Additionally, take into account that the itinerary can vary according to the changes that the flights can have, the circumstances of the climate or unforeseen last minute.
Things you will need:
Wear comfortable, light-colored and lightweight clothing, hopefully waterproof.
Bring hats or caps for protection from the sun and wear a long-sleeved shirt.
Wear hiking shoes, preferably waterproof, and extra tennis shoes.
Photo or video camera to not lose any detail of these beautiful landscapes.
Abundant hydration for the walks, sunscreen and repellent.
A raincoat to cover yourself in case it rains.
Small backpack for the daily walks.
Flashlight.
Sleepwear. It is recommended to take a light sleeping, at night it can be cold.
Personal hygiene equipment in small quantities.
Tape, micropore and anti-irritation creams.
Camping equipment (tent, mattress) or hammock with ropes and tarp, depending on your preference for the first night.
Swimwear.
If you want to know more about the most incredible natural destinations in Colombia, plan your trip with us!
Current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism – environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.
Over the last few years, Los Llanos Orientales has become a top favorite nature destination in Colombia. Travelers have fallen hard for the incredible landscapes, the safari experiences, the culture, and food.
With 16-17 million ha in the country, there is a long list of things you want to see and do. So I put together a bucket list with some of the most remarkable Colombian Llanos travel experiences and destinations.
From Caño Cristales in La Macarena to rafting in the Güéjar River Canyon, bird watching in Restrepo, aero-safari in Altagracia, horse riding and cowboy experience in El Encanto de Guanapalo, cocoa experience in Arauca, sport fishing in the Bita river in Vichada, glamping in the Corocora Camp to boating along the Manacacias River chasing dolphins in Meta— The Llanos Orientales is full of incredible adventures!
Meta is one of the top bird watching destinations in Colombia. The multiple ecosystems you can find in Meta offer some of the most varied bird species checklists from the paramo to vast plains with echoes of the Amazon forest and parts of the Guiana Shield.
It also offers more than 47 festivals and cultural events throughout the year. The International Folkloric and Tourist Festival of El Llano is one of the most important and has the Cuadrillas de San Martín horse exhibition, which is Cultural Heritage of Colombia.
Another highlight for Meta is the Caño Cristales river, along with wonderful natural landscapes and adventure destinations. In Meta, you will have incredible gastronomic, cultural, wellness, nature and adventure experiences just a 20-minute flight from Bogotá. It is a great destination for those who have little time, or for those who travel with their families.
Birdwatching at UNAMAS Nature Reserve: Amazon jungle transition Orinoquia-Amazon
World Cowboy Meeting
51st International Joropo Tournament.
Los Ocarros Biopark
Lomalinda Regional Natural Park
Guaicaramo Hot Springs (Barranca de Upía)
Ostrich Park
Las Malocas Park
Obelisk of Puerto Lopez
Casanare
Casanare is one of the top safari destinations in Colombia. The multiple nature reserves in the flooded plains of Casanare offer some of the best wildlife viewings in northern South America, especially during April and December.
Another highlight of Casanare is the cowboy’s rich culture. Discover the Cowboy culture in the Ranchón del Llanerazo, a museum that invites you to live the life of the Llanero man. There you will know the “Cantos de Trabajo del Llano”, which is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of the world.
Vichada is the biggest department of the Colombian Llanos and is blessed with an incredible richness of water. It is the place where the Orinoco River forms its natural border between Colombia and Venezuela. From the spectacular El Tuparro national park to the mighty network of rivers, lagoons and canals and abundant wildlife – it’s the perfect destination for anglers and nature lovers.
To get to Vichada, you need an air connection since there is no direct road in good condition. You will find the airport of Puerto Carreño its capital, and also other airfields in other places in the department. You can also get there by boat, through the rivers that run on its territory: Orinoco, Meta and Vichada.
Top Experiences in Vichada
Tuparro Natural National Park
The Eighth Wonder of the World Tuparro Natural Park Colombiaamazinglandscapes / CC BY-SA
Arauca is a diamond in the rough for nature and adventure tourism in Colombia. Its poor development is related to the presence of illegal armed groups. Here oil and livestock play an important role in the national economy.
In 2018, this area of Colombia was supported as a Tourism, Peace and Reconciliation zone with Creata Foundation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, and USAID collaboration. However, despite the efforts, it is still a conflict zone in the country.
Its attraction lies in the richness of its landscapes. Its territory is divided into a mountainous part, an alluvial plain of the Orinoco, and the foothills of the plains with vegetation of savanna and tropical forest. Thus, the contrasts between mountains and plains offer you exotic landscapes and a great diversity of flora and fauna.
Top Experiences in Arauca
“Cotizas” of Arauca – handmade shoes and handicrafts
If you want to know more about Colombian nature tours, or want to visit the Llanos Orientales, follow us, write us comments, or just contact us.
References
www.mincit.gov.co
SITUR Meta
http://www.vichada.gov.co
Fundación Omacha
About the author
Sara Colmenares
Current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism – environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.[/vc_column_text]
The lakes of Colombia are not lakes proper. Due to its extension, the water deposits of the Andean mountains are only lagoons. The largest are: Lake Tota, located at 3,115 meters above sea level in Boyacá, and Lake La Cocha, at 2,660 meters above sea level in Nariño. In Cundinamarca there is the Lake Fúquene and others of great importance Like the Suesca and Guatavita lagoons.
But don’t get confused! In Spanish lago (lake) and laguna(lagoon) definitions are not the same as in English.
In Spanish, a lake refers to a body of water that has an entrance and an outlet of rainwater, groundwater, and/or rivers, for example, the Lake Michigan or the Lake Superior in the USA, or the Lake Tota in Colombia. A lagoon, on the other hand, is a body of standing water that has an inlet from rivers or streams, but no outlet, for example the Great Salt Lake in the USA, the Caspian Sea in Asia, the Lake Corangamite in Australia, the Laacher See in Germany, and Lake Titicaca in Bolivia.
Now, in English, the difference between a lake and a lagoon, as well as its definition, is quite different. Lagoon is defined as a type of saltwater lake that is formed by the waves of the ocean. Also, lagoon is close to the ocean, whereas lakes are far away from oceans.Lagoon is saltwater body, whereas lakes are mostly freshwater bodies. Lagoons are generally shallow compared to lakes. And so on…
For an equal understanding, this is what you may call an exorheic and an endorheic basins, i.e. open and closed lakes respectively. And, translating to Spanish, lakes are exorheic and lagoons are endorheic basins. If you arrived here because of a homework about lakes visit National Geographic Encyclopedia about lakes. So… what is this post about?
Lagoon. In Spanish, a lagoon is a body of standing water that has an inlet from rivers or streams, but no outlet.
Lake. In Spanish it means a body of water that has an entrance and an outlet of rainwater, groundwater, and/or rivers.
Ok. This post is about the lakes of Colombia you can visit for fun and enjoy nature. Lakes of Colombia are also known, and called, as “lagunas” (lagoons), but they are not like the lagoons you are used to know. So, don’t get confused, when you visit a “lagoon” in Colombia, it will be, for sure, very far from the coastal zone, and it will be a freshwater lagoon, as you may have already noticed. And it can be lake… or not… geez!
In parentheses you will find the real type of water body that each lake or lagoon belongs to, according to the definition in Spanish.
Exorheic Basin. With an area of nearly 55 km², it is the largest lake in Colombia and, after Titicaca, the second highest navigable lake in South America at 3,015 meters above sea level (9891.7 Ft.).
In the southwestern part of the lake, there is a natural bay called Bahía Blanca. It is frequented by bathers and water sports enthusiasts despite the low temperature that usually does not exceed 12 °C.
What to do
Despite the stories about the Tota Lagoon monster(Diabloballena), as terrifying as the Loch Ness monster (Nessie) in Scotland, today you can practice water sports, sportfishing, navigate the lake, walk through the forest, camp and enjoy Playa Blanca, the only cold-weather beach in Colombia.
When sailing you can visit the islands of the lagoon: El Sagrario de los Milagros, San Pedro, Cerro Chino, Santo Domingo, Isla del Amor and La Ballena.
Laguna de La Cocha
(La Cocha Lagoon, exorheic)
Location
Characteristics
Lake La Cocha, also called Lake Guamués, is a natural lagoon of glacial origin, located in El Encano, a village in the municipality of Pasto, in the department of Nariño. With an area of nearly 40,5 km², it is the second largest natural body of water in Colombia, after the Laguna de Tota. It is located at 2680 meters above sea level (8792.6 ft.)
In 2000, Colombia registered the La Cocha lagoon, or Guamués lake, as a wetland of national and international importance within the Ramsar Convention, being the first with this qualification in the Colombian Andean region.
What to do
In this place it is possible to take boat trips, do sport fishing and bird watching.
Inside the lagoon there is the smallest flora sanctuary of Colombia, the Isla de la Corota Flora Sanctuary, with 15.2 hectares. It is located in the north of the Laguna de la Cocha. It is considered as a source of sacred energy for the indigenous and traditional doctors of the region. Likewise, it has a chapel that is an important pilgrimage site for Catholics, especially during the Virgen de Lourdes Festival. There you can walk trails designed to observe the forest.
Laguna de Guatavita
(Guatavita Lagoon, endorheic)
Location
Characteristics
This is the most famous sacred lake among our pre-Hispanic ancestors. The legend of El Dorado derives from it, a story that brought many people crazy about its relentless thirst for gold and wealth. The lake has suffered failed drainage attempts, made by these crazy treasure hunters.
It is located in the eastern mountain range of Colombia, at an altitude of 3,100 meters above sea level (10170.6 ft.) and has a temperature of 5 to 11℃. the lagoon has a maximum width of 0.7 km, a surface area of 19.8 hectares and an average depth of 125 m. It is supplied mainly by groundwater. It was formed in a perfectly circular mountain depression, surrounded by native forests. There are several hypotheses about its formation: by a meteorite, by a collapse caused by the dissolution of saline strata, or by glacial action and erosion. Today it has reached a stage of sedimentation.
What to do
Its environmental recovery has allowed that, after many years, activities can be carried out such as hiking, and landscaping.
Laguna de Fúquene
(Lake Fúquene, exorheic)
Laguna de Fúquene. Picture by Francy Ramírez
Location
Characteristics
With an area of 30 km² and located at an altitude of 2540 meters above sea level (8333.3 ft.), the Fúquene lake has numerous islands, one of which was a sanctuary for the Muiscas. According to the legend, hidden under the waters and ready to defend his domains in the valley of Ubaté and Chiquinquirá, remains Fu, a god-demon with the head and tail of a fox and human body. His name in Chibcha is decomposed from “Fu” which means fox, and “quene” which means bed, which would be translated as the bed of the fox.
The local community depends directly on the lagoon, since it is a source of water for domestic, agricultural and industrial activities. It is also the habitat of several migratory and endemic species.
What to do
Its environmental recovery has allowed that, after 40 years, nautical activities can be carried out with small boats such as sailboats, kayaks and rowing surf.
The Otún lagoon is one of the highlights of the Los Nevados National Natural Park. This lake measures about 1.5square kilometers and is located at 3,950 meters above sea level (12959.32 ft.) in páramo ecosystem, being perhaps one of the highest that you can visit. Formed by volcanic and glacial action, it is fed mainly by the snowmelt of the Nevado de Santa Isabel. It is one of the most beautiful ecological hiking destinations in Colombia. It is located in the department of Risaralda, Colombia. Its waters seep under caverns formed by volcanic flows and give rise, together with Laguna La Leona, to the Otún River, which is the source for the aqueduct of the city of Pereira.
What to do
This lake is a great tourist attraction in Risaralda for its great beauty and for trout fishing. The trout is a species introduced to the lake. In the lake you can see the Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), owls and hummingbirds, while the landscape is dominated by frailejones (Espeletia sp.) and typical páramo grasslands. Besides fishing, you can also camp there.
The Iguaque lagoon is located near the municipality of Villa de Leyva in the department of Boyacá, Colombia. It has an area of 6.75 km² and an average depth of 105 m. It is located at 3,800 meters above sea level (12467.19 ft.) in the páramo ecosystem, with a temperature from 4 to 12ºC on average.
According to the Muisca legend, the goddess Bachué came out of the lagoon with a child, giving rise to the entire human race. Bachue is the “Good Woman” mother goddess of the Muiscas.
What to do
Visiting this sacred lagoon is believed to cleanse the soul and purify the spirit. The lagoon is protected as part of the Iguaque Fauna and Flora Sanctuary. There you can go hiking, go on scientific and research tours, observe fauna and flora, observe the cultural heritage, and enjoy the landscape.
The Laguna de Sonso or del Chircal, was decreed as a Natural Reserve since 1978 and regulated for the use of land, water and airspace in 1979.
It is located on the right bank of the Cauca River, between the municipalities of Buga, Yotoco and Guacarí, in the department of Valle dal Cauca. It has an area of 2,045 hectares, (covering 14 square kilometers of these municipalities), of which 745 correspond to the lagoon zone and 1,300 to the buffer zone. It is located 936 meters above sea level, with an average temperature of 23ºC, and a relative humidity of 75%, being an attractive space for various species.
What to do
The Lake Sonso is part of the RAMSAR international agreement signed on February 2, 2017. It has a perfect combination of aquatic birds and dry forest. In addition, it is a refuge for migratory and endemic bird species, totaling more than 300 species. For this reason the main tourist activity in the Sonso lagoon is bird watching and bird photography.
Lagoons at Natural National Park Chingaza
(Lakes of Chingaza, exorheic)
Lakes of Chingaza National Natural Park
Location
Characteristics
The beautiful Chingaza National Natural Park is located in the eastern Andean mountain range of Colombia, between 3,050 and 3,950 meter above sea level (9858.924 – 12959.32 ft.). It has a great water richness constituted by the upper basin of several rivers, as well as by a lagoon system which has been declared a Ramsar site.
The Lacustrine system of Chingaza is formed by 20 lagoons and wetlands that supply water to the capital city, Bogotá. It is also of great importance for migratory birds.
Among all the lagoons, the largest is the Chingaza lagoon, with an area of 88 hectares, which contributes a high percentage to feeding the aqueduct that provides water to the city of Bogotá.
What to do
Four of the 6 trails enabled for ecotourism in the Chingaza park are to visit different lagoons:
You can do guided mountaineering in the modality of “hiking without camping” towards the lagoons. You can also contemplate the landscapes of lagoons, wetlands and streams, as well as observe the flora and fauna of the páramo.
Lakes of Tarapoto
(Lakes of Tarapoto, exorheic)
Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), at Puerto Nariño, Amazonas department, Colombia.
Location
Characteristics
It is located in the municipalities of Puerto Nariño and Leticia, department of Amazonas. The lakes of Tarapoto are a strategic ecosystem made up of more than 30 interconnected lakes, which reach an approximate area of 11,424 m2 in periods of low water. According to Ramsar.org, this ecosystem:
“provides important functions such as flood and erosion control, waterways for transportation, recreation and tourism.”
Besides being one of the greatest ecotourism attractions in the region, this biome is the means of subsistence and food for 22 indigenous communities, Cocama, Ticuna and Yagua, which are part of the Ticoya reservation in the Amazon.
It has been declared a Ramsar area in 2018, thanks to the joint work between the inhabitants of Puerto Nariño, the indigenous people of the Ticoya reservation, the Omacha Foundation, the Colombian government, Corpoamazonía, the Sinchi Institute and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
What to do
There you can arrive by boat and wait in silence for the appearance of pink dolphins, while contemplating the majesty of the Amazon jungle.
Lagoons at Natural National Park Sumapaz
(Lakes of Sumapaz, exorheic)
Páramo of Sumapaz
Location
Characteristics
Bogotá has the largest and most beautiful páramo in the world, the Páramo of Sumapaz. This ancestral place was considered by the Muiscas as the habitat of the gods.
Here you can enjoy unique landscapes, unique animals and the particular vegetation of an ecosystem that is dedicated to safeguarding water: the páramo.
What to do
In the Sumapaz páramo you can visit the following lagoons:
Alar Pasquilla Lagoon
According to the District Tourism Institute of Bogotá, the Alar Pasquilla lagoon is one of the seven wonders of the city. This sanctuary full of frailejones, imposing cliffs and a 3,200-meter-high viewpoint is a unique plan.
Negra lagoon
This body of water has been the object of legends, which is why it can be considered the most mysterious lagoon in the páramo of Sumapaz. In pre-Columbian times, when the Zaque de Hunza (Tunja) and the Zipa de Bacatá (Bogotá) were at war, it was known as the Saguanmachica lagoon, because a zipa with that name was crowned there.
Los Colorados Lagoon
Also known as the enchanted lagoon, this paradise is a place that few know because of its difficult access.
Los Tunjos
They are the best known bodies of water in Sumapaz because it is easy to get to them. This area has a forbidden route, where you can see lagoons and cliffs as high as the Colpatria building.
Larga Lagoon
In this lagoon of the Sumapaz National Natural Park it is common to see fish, wild ducks and other types of birds. Access is very easy, because it is close to the Los Tunjos complex.
Laguna Cajitas lagoon
This body of water at 3,850 meters high is famous because the Black-chested Buzzard-eagel can be seen frequently. The best panoramic view of the lagoon is on Cerro La Carolina, a difficult place to access because you have to climb for about an hour.
Laguna de Cumbal
(Lake Cumbal, exorheic)
Location
Characteristics
The Cumbal lagoon, also called La Bolsa lagoon, is located at the foot of the Cumbal volcano, at 3440 meters above sea level (11286.09 ft), in the department of Nariño, south of Colombia.
This lagoon is characterized by the gray color of its waters, the very low temperature and the absence of waves. The Cumbal lagoon basin is small in size (9.8 km²) and is located in a very sensitive aquifer recharge zone.
It is a sacred place for the indigenous people of the region, who belong to the grasslands ethnic group, and according to them, humanity originated there. For this you infer this place is of feminine energy, and it recalls the uterus of a woman, that is why it is called the bag.
What to do
You will be able to enjoy a majestic landscape of mountains, valleys, nearby volcanoes and see the snow-capped mountains of the Republic of Ecuador.
You can also do sport fishing activities, since the rainbow trout abounds in its waters. You can also meet the indigenous inhabitants of the area, their culture, traditions and gastronomy.
Recommendations
To enjoy it to the fullest, we recommend you take comfortable, warm and waterproof clothing. You should also wear mountaineering boots that are waterproof. In some places you may be short of breath due to the altitude, in that case, breathe deeply and slowly, and walk at your own pace. There will always be people watching over you and taking care of you so that you get the best experience.
If you want to know more about Colombian nature tours, or want to visit any Lake of Colombia, follow us, write us comments, or just contact us.
Rutas de los Andes Blog https://rutasdelosandes.com/
Wikipedia
WikiAves de Colombia
Colombia Travel
Colparques Website
National Natural Parks of Colombia Website
Ramsar.org
Semana Journal
About the author
Sara Colmenares
Current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism – environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.
Sport fishing in Colombia is an activity that is gaining more popularity among locals and tourists. Also known as recreational fishing, it consists of fishing for pleasure or competition.
The best season in Colombia for fishing in saltwater is from September to November, when you can catch Billfish, Dorado, and Tuna. Meanwhile, the star fish of freshwater is the Peacock Bass, which abounds from January to March. There are other game fish species in the rivers and oceans of Colombia that attract anglers from all over the world.
In Colombia it is necessary to obtain authorization for competitions, areas, species, boats, seasons, systems, quantities and other aspects related to the entertainment activity or sport fishing competition. This authorization is granted by the AUNAP (National Authority for Aquaculture and Fishing) and has a cost depending on the type of user and the scope of the activity to be performed, and is valid for up to 6 months for foreigners not domiciled in the country.
In general, a fishing tour includes lodging in a specialized hotel, full meals with breakfast and dinner on land and lunch on the boat, with snacks, soft drinks and fruit, hydration throughout the fishing day, complete crew on the boat with captain, sailor and accompanying guide, and fishing permits issued by the AUNAP.
Fishing Seasons in Colombia
Fishing Seasons in Colombia in the Pacific Ocean- Picture by Santiago Isaza – FishIn Colombia
River fishing:
December, January, February, March in the Vichada,
September, October, and November in the Amazon
Sea fishing: All year round.
Best sport fishing destinations in Colombia
Here are the best fishing destinations in Colombia.
Orinoquia Region
Vichada
The Department of Vichada has the Orinoco, Meta, Bita, Vichada and El Tomo rivers as well as the Juriepe and Terecay streams making it one of the most appreciated destinations for sport fishing lovers. The Bita River in Puerto Carreño is one of the main sceneries hosting endemic species of the region, which is why it is expected to be the first protected river in the world, in a study under development, led by the Von Humboldt Institute and the Government of Vichada. The Pavón, the Payara, the Sardinata, the Cachama and the different species of Bagres, are some of the specimens you can find.
Puerto Carreño
This is an off the beaten track fishing destinationthat has its productive season from January to March. Here you can fish giant Peacock Bass, Payara, Catfish, Matrinxa, Tambaqui, Bicuda, among others.
The Vichada River surprises with its colors at sunset and with all the virgin nature that surrounds it. Photos: Filiberto Pinzón / EL TIEMPO
Tucunare Lodge. Fish the Butterfly Peacock Bass, that reaches up to 26 pounds, in the Vichada River! These are unexplored waters perfect for sport fishing, since it has a variety of large sized fish. Tucunare Lodge offers an amazing experience in this place. Their cabins are strategically located on the river banks for your comfort, so you can fish all day long. For this activity to be sustainable, the lodge made an agreement with the Sikuani indigenous community and has special permits to operate in the river and 16 lagoons.Actually, the guides belong to the Sikuani community and they know the jungle and the animals like the back of their hands. Only groups of maximum 8 anglers are allowed per week. The Raudales del muerto zone in the Orinoco River is nearby and here you can fish Payaras, Amazon pellona, Catfish and other species.
Anakay Natural Reserve.In this private natural reserve located in the Orinoquia, you will have a comfortable sport fishing experience. Like Tucunare, Anakay is in the department of Vichada, this time in the upper Bita River. The main target here is the Peacok Bass, but you can find other species such as Payara, Pacu, Arowanas, Piranhas and different Catfish too. It is a reserve with 6,000 acres with little public access so you can always catch fish, besides having the lodge just 15 minutes from the fishing spots, which allows 12-hour fishing days. The high season for fishing is from January to April. You stay at wooden cabins with basic amenities and the motorized boats have a capacity of 2 anglers plus the guide, which is always from the region and has experience in fishing and tourism. In addition, the host is an English speaking experienced angler.
Vichada River – Season 2016 – www.tucunarelodge.com
Bita River
The Bita River is the first river in Colombia to be protected with civil rights. Apart from that, you will have an unforgettable encounter with nature, now that the Orinoco region boasts diverse wildlife including capybaras, peccaries, tapirs, ocelots, monkeys, deer, jaguars, exotic birds and reptiles!
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: Fishing equipment (Fly, Spinning or Casting and lures artificial), light clothing (fishing shirt and trousers), hat or cap, sunscreen, glasses, pants, all terrain shoes or sandals and ecological insecticide.
Pacific region
Large predatory fish inhabit the Pacific Ocean of Colombia. The Colombian Pacific is particularly flexible to allow year-round fishing. The main ecosystem is mangrove and tropical rainforest, with an average temperature of 25°C. The Pacific Region is in the Biogeographic Choco, a world biodiversity hotspot with unspoiled landscapes, so all of this makes it a great fishing destination.
Picture by Sportfishing Colombia
Bahía Solano.
The municipality of Bahia Solano boasts pristine jungles and beautiful beaches bathed in rich waters that host the best saltwater fish for sport fishing. During your sportfishing trip to Bahía Solano you will be able to observe the attack of yellowfin and blackfin tuna, the Mahi Mahi of good size and eccentric color, the jumps of a sailfish, the shape of a rooster, among other fish.
The fish offer depends on the technique used. The most common species are Amberjack, Tuna, Cubera, Sea bass, Tarpon, Roosterfish, Blue and Black Marlins, Sailfish, Dolphin and Wahoo. You can try techniques such as spinning or casting, jigging, trawling, fishing with live bait and flyfishing.
The boat offer is varied and guides are experienced captains and skilled anglers, specialized in all types of fishing. The lodges where you can stay also offers the possibility to do diving, bird watching and humpback whale watching!
Picture by Santiago Isaza – FishIn Colombia
Among other fishing techniques, in Bahia Solano, you can practice mainly the following:
Trolling: Large catches are fished by dragging lures or baits around large spaces so predatory fish are tempted to bite them.
Jigging: Named after the lure called ‘jig’, which is made of lead and has the shape of a fish. Anglers use jigs to recreate the vertical movement of a fish heading to the surface, this is why this technique is also known as ‘vertical fishing’.
Popper: The popper fly on the surface attracts predatory fish who mistake it for prey fish. This is a dynamic and physically demanding fishing technique.
Depending on the season, you can catch Tuna, Amberjack, Dolphin, Bluefin trevally, Jack, Marlin, Cubera Snapper, Rooster fish, Sailfish, Tarpon, Spanish mackerel or Wahoo. The opportunity to go on offshore or inshore fishing trips also depends on the season. You can choose to go fishing inshore or 35 miles offshore and catch Blue and Black Marlin, Swordfish, Mahi Mahi, and more. The best season for offshore fishing is at the end of the year, in December, due to the sea currents.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: Light clothing (fishing shirt and trousers), cap or hat, coral friendly sunblock, sunglasses, trousers, off-road shoes or sandals and ecological insecticide.
Punta Brava
Another destination in the Pacific region is Punta Brava, in Nuquí. There you can fish all year round, but the month of May is recommended. Here you can fish for Tuna, Sailfish, Roosterfish, Dorado, Snapper, Bravo and Horse Mackerel.
Picture by Santiago Isaza – FishIn Colombia
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: Fishing equipment (Fly, Spinning or Casting and artificial lures), light clothing (fishing shirt and trousers), cap or hat, sunscreen, glasses, trousers, off-road shoes or sandals and ecological insecticide.
Caribbean Region
Marine sport fishing as an alternative for tourism development in the Colombian Caribbean is a proposal to promote the economic development of local communities and a conservation strategy. In a study carried out by the Tropical Fisheries Science and Technology Research Group (CITEPT), from the Magdalena University, it was found that there is a great deal of seasonality in the catches of pelagic fish that are important for sport fishing, confirming their migratory behaviour, with the highest catches being made between the months of March – April and August – October. This study concluded that the recommended seasons for sport fishing tournaments and tours coincide with the decrease of trade winds and better navigability, and would be one between March and April and another between August and October each year.
Cartagena de Indias
Islas del Rosario – Cartagena, Colombia
In the waters of Cartagena, this gorgeous Caribbean city, you can go fishing inshore or offshore. What can you get close to the shore? Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Jack Crevalle, and King Mackerel. Also, Permit, Tarpon and Bonefish, although its numbers have decreased due to overfishing. These trips are apt for beginners and families, since they will be safe within 10 miles of shore. However, if you go beyond 10 miles, you can fish Blue and White Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi and Wahoo, especially from March to May. Offshore fishing is preferred by experienced anglers.
Among the services you can find in a fishing tour there are offshore trolling trips to catch migratory fish such as Mackerel, Crevalle Jacks, Tuna and Marlin. These can last from 4 hours to a complete day or multiple days, when it is required to go to deep seas. If you go wreck bottom fishing, you may catch game fish species such as Mangrove Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper, Mutton Snapper, Gag Grouper, Black Grouper, Cobia, Permit, and Jewfish. Deep drop and jigging trips allow you to catch predatory fish that roam deep down beyond 1000 feet! Huge Snappers and Groupers are the trophy.
With bots with a capacity for up to 10 anglers, as s Yate Fortuna, you can leave the bay of Cartagena to sail into the deep waters of the Caribbean. In a trip, you will be able to catch Marlin, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Amberjack and even sharks.
Santa Marta
Sportfishing at Taganga picture by Thui Tours
Offshore fishing is also great in Santa Marta, Magdalena. The best fishing spots are found 40 miles from the shore and offer Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Amberjack and Sharks.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: Light clothing (fishing shirt and trousers), cap or hat, coral friendly sunblock, sunglasses, trousers, off-road shoes or sandals and ecological insecticide.
Andean Region
There are many places in the Andean region where you can practice sport fishing. These places are not very well known internationally, but they are well known in the country. Here we will tell you about the most recognized ones.
Antioquia
El Peñol reservoir in Guatapé, Antioquia is the world’s paradise for fishing “largemouth bass”, a natural predator, only carnivorous and very enjoyable to fish. Its first bite is exciting and you have to pick it up in jumps, as if giving the fight. Tilapia and mojarra are also fished in the reservoir.
El Peñol, Guatapé, Antioquia
From October to December, you can target Roosterfish and Tarpon. Water bodies such as Guatape, San Rafael or Nare River are perfect to go on an angling expedition. Local guides will help you catch Golden Dorado, Peacock Bass, Payara, Tilapia, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, among other species, using jigging, floating baits, fly fishing, trolling, deep fishing or popping techniques. In boats arranged for up to 3 anglers.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: Fishing equipment (Fly, Spinning or Casting and lures artificial), light clothing (fishing shirt and trousers), hat or cap, sunscreen, glasses, pants, all terrain shoes or sandals and ecological insecticide.
Cundinamarca
Siecha lagoons
Cundinamarca has several places for sport fishing without affecting the environment. The first obligatory stop is in Lagos del Siecha (Siecha lagoons), located in Guasca, Cundinamarca. The Siecha lagoons are a group of three lagoons located in the jurisdiction of the Colombian municipality of Guasca, in the department of Cundinamarca. Currently the three lagoons are called: Fausto, America, and Siecha (the largest of the three). In the ancient language of the Muiscas, Siecha means “Man of Water”.
National Natural Park Chingaza
Chingaza National Park
In the 40’s the brown trout (Salmo trutta) was introduced and in the 70’s the rainbow trout (S. gairdneri) was introduced in the Tota lagoon. Today the two species cohabit in the Chingaza lagoon, in the Chuza reservoir and in the upper part of the Guatiquía and Blanco rivers, where fishing seasons with minimum catch size have been determined. The fishing plan includes fishing in Laguna Seca and Chuza Lagoon in Monterredondo, with the option of camping near the fishing site.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: cold weather clothing, hat or cap, sunscreen, glasses, all-terrain shoes or waterproof boots.
Amazon Region
The Colombian Amazon is an incredible destination for fishermen since this region is crossed by majestic rivers that facilitate trade, travel to places in the middle of the jungle, remote populations, resguardos, parks and nature reserves. The Amazon is a habitat with high biodiversity like no other ecosystem in the world and also has the vast cultural diversity of its indigenous peoples, and the life that originates and is nourished by the multiple banks of the Amazon River, the largest, widest and deepest river in the world. The fishing season in the amazon is between September and November. There you can fish Pavón, Bagre, Mojarra, Pirarucu, Arawana, Piraña, Payara, Moncholo and Chachama.
Sunset at the Amazon River
In Leticia you can visit the Heliconia reserve, sailing for approximately three and a half hours on the majestic Amazon River and then on one of its largest and most important tributaries in the area “The Javari River”, natural border between Brazil and Peru. In the Heliconia Reserve you can do sport fishing in one of the many spectacular lakes and channels that are part of the Amazon rainforest of Brazil and Peru: Lake San Antonio Ox-Bow, Canal Furo Zacanbuzinho, Lake Cristina Ox-Bow, Lake Caoti, Lake Socó Ox-Bow, Lake Socózinho, Canal Mata Mata, Lake Pombao Ox-Bow, Tartaruga Channel and Beaches of the Javari River.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: Fishing equipment (Fly, Spinning or Casting and artificial lures), light clothing (fishing shirt and trousers), cap or hat, sunscreen, glasses, trousers, off-road shoes or sandals and ecological insecticide.
At this point, you may have noticed why sport fishing in Colombia is something you have to try if you like adventure in nature! Hopefully this post was useful for you to know which fishing destinations to visit in your next trip to Colombia.
About the authors.
Sara Colmenares
Current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism – environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.
Ana María Parra
Current content writer for Sula. Modern Languages professional with emphasis on business translation. Interested in cultural adaptation of written and audiovisual content. Passionate about knowing new cultures and languages, tourism and sustainable living.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
