Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Uruguay (Complete Guide)

Uruguay offers some of the best fishing in South America. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish in Uruguay are during the warmer months from October to April, with early morning and late afternoon being the most productive times.

Month	Uruguay Fishing Location
January	Punta del Este – Fish for snook and tarpon near the coastline.
February	La Paloma – Target sea bream and sole in the rocky areas.
March	La Coronilla – Cast your line for sea bass and croaker in the river mouth.
April	José Ignacio – Catch golden dorado and tararira in the lagoons.
May	Rocha – Go for corvina and weakfish in the estuaries.
June	Punta del Diablo – Seek out tarpon and snook in the river channels.
July	Laguna Merín – Fish for perch and pejerrey in the lagoon.
August	Punta del Diablo – Target kingfish and snapper near the reefs.
September	Montevideo – Cast for sea trout and snook along the coast.
October	Piriápolis – Catch pompano and croaker from the beaches.
November	Laguna de Castillos – Seek out boga and pacú in the lagoon.
December	Punta del Diablo – Fish for corvina and weakfish in the river estuaries.

This article will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Uruguay. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Best Times: Creeks/Rivers to Fish in Uruguay

Rio Negro: Fish for species like dorado, surubi, and pacu throughout the year, with peak seasons in spring and summer.

Rio Uruguay: Target species such as dorado, surubi, and tararira, with good fishing opportunities year-round.

Rio Yi: Known for its pejerrey and boga fishing, with the best months being October to April.

Rio Santa Lucia: Fish for species like tararira, pejerrey, and boga throughout the year, with peak seasons in spring and summer.

Rio de la Plata: Target species such as sea bass, corvina, and tarpon, with good fishing year-round.

Rio Arapey: Best fished from October to April for species like dorado, pacu, and surubi.

Rio Negro (Mercedes): Fish for dorado, pacu, and surubi in this river, with good action throughout the year.

Arroyo Pando: Known for its tararira and pejerrey fishing, with the best months being October to April.

Rio Tacuarembo: Target species like dorado, pacu, and boga, with good fishing opportunities year-round.

Rio Queguay: Fish for dorado, pacu, and boga throughout the year, with peak seasons in spring and summer.

Rio Cuareim: Best fished from October to April for species like dorado, pacu, and surubi.

Rio Uruguay (Salto): Fish for dorado, pacu, and surubi in this river, with good action throughout the year.

Arroyo Malo: Known for its tararira and pejerrey fishing, with the best months being October to April.

Rio San Salvador: Target species like dorado, pacu, and boga, with good fishing opportunities year-round.

Rio Dayman: Fish for dorado, pacu, and boga throughout the year, with peak seasons in spring and summer.

Rio Negro (Treinta y Tres): Best fished from October to April for species like dorado, pacu, and surubi.

Rio Uruguay (Fray Bentos): Fish for dorado, pacu, and surubi in this river, with good action throughout the year.

Arroyo Mallada: Known for its tararira and pejerrey fishing, with the best months being October to April.

Rio Yaguaron: Target species like dorado, pacu, and boga, with good fishing opportunities year-round.

Rio Cuareim (Artigas): Fish for dorado, pacu, and boga throughout the year, with peak seasons in spring and summer.

Best Times: Saltwater Fishing in Uruguay

Punta del Este: Best fished from November to March, targeting species such as sea bass, grouper, and snapper.

La Paloma: Productive year-round, with opportunities to catch species like croaker, corvina, and hake.

Punta del Diablo: Fish for snook, corvina, and sea bass during the warmer months of December to March.

Cabo Polonio: Target species like snook, corvina, and sole, with good fishing throughout the year.

Jose Ignacio: Best fished from November to March for species like sea bass, flounder, and snapper.

Rocha: Fish for croaker, sea bass, and snook in this area year-round.

Laguna de Rocha: Known for tararira and pejerrey fishing, with the best months being October to April.

Barra de Valizas: Fish for croaker, sea bass, and snook throughout the year, with good action in the summer months.

Barra de Chuy: Target species such as corvina, sole, and snook, with good fishing from December to March.

Barra de la Laguna: Best fished from November to March for sea bass, croaker, and snapper.

Laguna Negra: Known for pejerrey fishing, with the best months being October to April.

Laguna de Castillos: Fish for tararira, pejerrey, and boga, with good fishing throughout the year.

Punta del Diablo: Target species like sea bass, snook, and corvina, with productive fishing during the summer months.

Punta del Diablo Rock Formation: Fish for species like grouper, snapper, and sea bass, with good action year-round.

Punta del Diablo Beach: Best fished during the warmer months of December to March for species like snook, sea bass, and corvina.

Laguna Garzon: Known for tararira fishing, with the best months being October to April.

Barra del Chuy: Fish for corvina, sole, and snook throughout the year, with good action in the summer months.

Barra de la Laguna: Best fished from November to March for sea bass, croaker, and snapper.

Rio de la Plata: Target species like sea bass, tarpon, and corvina, with good fishing year-round.

Rio Uruguay: Fish for species like dorado, tararira, and surubi throughout the year, with peak seasons in spring and summer.

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Golden Dorado

The best time to fish for Golden Dorado in Uruguay is during the warmer months, typically from November to March, as they are more active in the summer season. Early morning and late afternoon are the recommended times of day to increase your chances of catching them. Some of the top locations for Golden Dorado fishing in Uruguay include the Rio Uruguay, Rio Paraná, Rio Negro, and Rio Queguay.

Tararira

The best times to fish for Tararira in Uruguay are during the spring and summer months, from September to March, when they are most active. Early morning and late afternoon are the ideal times of day for catching Tararira. Some of the best locations for Tararira fishing in Uruguay include Laguna Merín, Laguna Negra, Laguna Castillos, and Laguna del Sauce.

Corvina

The best times to fish for Corvina in Uruguay are during the summer and autumn months, from December to April, when they are most abundant. Early morning and late afternoon are the prime times to catch Corvina. Some of the best locations for Corvina fishing in Uruguay include the Rio de la Plata, Laguna de Rocha, Punta del Este, and La Paloma.

Patí (South American Catfish)

The best times to fish for Pati in Uruguay are during the warmer months of spring and summer, from October to March. Pati are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Some of the best locations for Pati fishing in Uruguay include the Uruguay River, Rio Negro, Rio de la Plata, and Laguna Merin.

Pejerrey

The best times to fish for Pejerrey in Uruguay are during the cooler months of autumn and winter, from March to August. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times to catch Pejerrey. Some of the best locations for Pejerrey fishing in Uruguay include Laguna Negra, Laguna Garzón, Laguna de Rocha, and Laguna Castillos.

Surubí (Tiger Catfish)

The best times to fish for Surubí in Uruguay are during the spring and summer months, from November to February. Surubí are most active during early morning and evening hours. Some of the best locations for Surubí fishing in Uruguay include the Uruguay River, Rio Negro, Rio de la Plata, and Laguna Merin.

Boga

The best times to fish for Boga in Uruguay are during the warmer months of spring and summer, from September to February. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times to catch Boga. Some of the best locations for Boga fishing in Uruguay include Río de la Plata, Río Negro, Río Uruguay, and Laguna Merín.

Pacú

The best times to fish for Pacú in Uruguay are during the warmer months of spring and summer, from October to March. Pacú are most active during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Some of the best locations for Pacú fishing in Uruguay include Río Negro, Río Uruguay, and Laguna Merín.

Armado (Armored Catfish)

The best times to fish for Armado in Uruguay are during the summer months from December to February. Armado are typically active during the early morning and late evening hours. Some of the best locations for Armado fishing in Uruguay include Laguna Merín, Río Uruguay, and Río Negro.

Pompano

The best times to fish for Pompano in Uruguay are during the summer and autumn months from December to May. Pompano are often caught during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Some of the best locations for Pompano fishing in Uruguay include Punta del Este, La Paloma, and La Pedrera.

Lenguado (Sole)

The best times to fish for Lenguado (Flounder) in Uruguay are during the spring and autumn months of September to November and March to May. Lenguado are commonly caught during the early morning and late afternoon. Some of the best locations for Lenguado fishing in Uruguay include Laguna de Rocha, Laguna de Castillos, and Punta del Este.

Giant Trevally

Giant Trevally can be caught in Uruguay during the warmer months of November to March. They are often found near rocky shores and reef areas. The best time to fish for Giant Trevally is early morning or late afternoon when they are more active. Some popular locations for Giant Trevally fishing in Uruguay include Punta del Este, La Paloma, and Punta del Diablo.

Sailfish

Sailfish can be caught in Uruguay’s waters during the summer months of December to February. They are often found in offshore areas. The best time to fish for sailfish is typically early morning or late afternoon when they are more active. Some popular locations for sailfish fishing in Uruguay include Punta del Este, La Paloma, and Cabo Polonio.

Best Fishing in Uruguay on a Seasonal Basis

Winter (June-August)

Laguna Merín: In winter, anglers can target Tararira, a popular freshwater fish, in Laguna Merín. The best months to fish are June and July.
Río Uruguay: During the winter months of June and July, fishing for Surubí in the Río Uruguay can be rewarding.
Laguna del Cisne: This scenic lake is known for its winter fishing opportunities, particularly for Pejerrey. The best months to fish are June and July.
Arroyo Palmar: In winter, anglers can fish for Pacú in Arroyo Palmar. The best months to fish are June and July.

Spring (September-November)

Rio de la Plata: In spring, anglers can target Boga, a popular freshwater fish, in the Rio de la Plata. The best months to fish are September and October.
Laguna del Sauce: This scenic lake is known for its fishing opportunities, particularly for Pejerrey, during the spring months of September and October.
Laguna Negra: Spring is an excellent time to fish for Pati in Laguna Negra, a large freshwater lake. The best months to fish are September and October.
Arroyo Valizas: This picturesque creek is a favorite spot for fishing Pacú in the spring. The best months to fish are September and October.

Summer (December-February)

Punta del Este: In the summer, Punta del Este is a popular destination for fishing Tararira, a feisty freshwater fish. The best months to fish are December and January.
Rio Negro: During the summer months of January and February, anglers can target Golden Dorado in the Rio Negro, a major river in Uruguay.
Laguna de Rocha: This coastal lagoon is a prime location for fishing Corvina in the summer. The best months to fish are January and February.
Laguna Merín: In the summer, Laguna Merín offers opportunities to catch Surubí, a large freshwater catfish. The best months to fish are December and January.

Fall (March-May)

Rio de la Plata: In the fall, the Rio de la Plata is a great spot to catch Golden Dorado, a prized gamefish known for its aggressive nature. Best months to fish are March and April.
Laguna de Rocha: This coastal lagoon is a prime location for fishing Corvina in the fall. The best months to fish are September and October.
Laguna Merín: During the fall months of May and June, anglers can target Surubí in Laguna Merín, a large freshwater lake shared with Brazil.
Arroyo Pando: In the fall, Arroyo Pando offers opportunities to catch Boga, a popular sportfish. The best months to fish are April and May.

For the best times to fish in Ecuador, check out this guide. Check out this guide for the best times to fish in Panama. Check out this guide for the best times to fish in the Amazon.