South America
Fishing in
Uruguay 2026.
Fishing License & Permit · Fishing Times · Waters & Fish Species · Cost Overview
🌙Fishing Times 2026Best fishing times
·Uruguay-32.52°, -55.77°
01
Fishing License & Permit
- License required?
- No
- Where to apply?
- At DINARA (Direccion Nacional de Recursos Acuaticos) or at fishing shops.
- Cost
- Sport fishing license: From 500-1,000 UYU (~12-25 USD). Affordable!
- Validity
- Annual license or short-term
- Available online?
- Yes
Uruguay is small but an excellent fishing destination! The Rio de la Plata and Uruguay River offer Dorado (Golden Salmler), Surubi and Tararira. Relaxed country with good infrastructure.
Book fishing tours in Uruguay
Guided tours with local experts — recommended by locals
02
Rules & Regulations
- Closed seasons
- Dorado: November-January (spawning season, varies). Surubi: Partially restricted.
- Catch limits
- Dorado: C&R increasingly. Surubi: 1/day. Moderate limits generally.
- Prohibited methods
- Dynamite, poison prohibited. Sustainable fishing promoted.
- Catch & Release
- Increasingly standard for Dorado. Recommended for all large fish.
Uruguay lies between Argentina and Brazil and offers similarly good fishing — but fewer tourists and better prices!
03
Waters & Fish Species
Top waters
- —Salto Grande Damm/Rio Uruguay (Riesen-Dorado 30-50+ lbs, Weltrekord-Gewässer)
- —Rio Negro (Dorado, Surubí, größter Reservoir Südamerikas)
- —Laguna Merín (Tararira, Pejerrey, Grenzgebiet to Brasilien)
- —Punta del Este/José Ignacio (Corvina, Lenguado, Tuna)
- —Rio de la Plata (Dorado, Boga, Brackwasser-Fishing)
Target fish
Freshwater
Rio Uruguay and Rio Negro with Dorado and Surubi. Reservoirs and lagoons.
Saltwater
Atlantic coast (660 km). Corvina, Lenguado and Shark from the coast.
Starting from300 USD / day
Best season: Dorado: February-October. Surubi: March-September. Coast: Year-round.
04
Practical Information
- Equipment
- Fishing shops in Montevideo. Basic equipment available.
- Fishing guides
- Dorado guide: 150-300 USD/day. Coastal fishing: 100-200 USD/day.
- Transport
- Flight to Montevideo. Rental car. Ferry from Buenos Aires (1h!).
- Safety
- Very safe country (safest in South America). Relaxed and hospitable.
- Customs & taking fish home
- Visa-free for EU citizens (90 days). Fishing equipment no problem.
05
Cost Overview
License fees
12-25 USD/year. Affordable!
Guide prices
100-300 USD/day.
Daily budget
Budget: 50-100 USD. Comfort: 150-300 USD.
Read blog article →
Detailed guide: Fishing in Uruguay
Equipment
Recommended fishing equipment
View equipment for Uruguay →
Flights
Compare and book cheap flights to Uruguay with Kiwi.com
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Airport Transfer
Pre-booked transfer from the airport to your hotel or fishing charter
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Mobile Data
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