Where to Go Fishing Around Medellín

TLDR? The best place to go fishing in Medellin is Eco Parque las Garzas.

Before I came to Colombia, I really wouldn’t have called myself an angler. Sure, I would cast a line from time to time if I was out on a canoeing trip with my Dad. 

But, other than that, my fishing experience ended there. 

When I got to Medellin, however, my Colombian family members had very different hobbies. They were big fans of heading out to small eco parks and seeing what we could catch. Naturally, I had to learn quick.

Whether you love fishing or you just want to try a typical Colombian experience, this guide is for you. Here’s where to go fishing in Medellin.

What Is Fishing Like in Medellin?

Before we start talking about where to go fishing in Medellin, let me give you a quick run-down of what fishing is like. 

You see, in the US, we’re used to fancy rods and reels with tons of different types of baits. Fishing almost feels like a science, and if you haven’t figured out the secret sauce, you won’t catch anything. 

Not so in Medellin. 

Here, fishing involves using a piece of string on the end of a sugar cane. At the end of the string is a hook, where you add hydrogenized fish bait. 

It’s that simple! 

Of course, you can always bring your own fishing gear. But, I personally enjoyed the authentic experience, and I actually caught something, so I guess it works!

Best Fishing Spots Around Medellin

With the explanations out of the way, we can get down to business. Here are the top places to go fishing around Medellin.

Ecoparque Las Garzas

This Ecopark, located about an hour and a half from Medellín, has sport fishing and other outdoor activities for you to enjoy. The park features four huge lakes, stocked with three types of freshwater fish:

1. Cachama
2. Yamú
3. Tilapia

If you don’t want to go fishing, you can also enjoy the jacuzzi, swimming pools, or Turkish sauna. Or, you can sit down for a meal at the restaurant.

The eco-park also offers camping, but you’ll have to bring your own tents and gear with you. Or, you can rent one of the cabins. You can book double or multiple cabins depending on your group size.

Website: https://ecoparquelasgarzas.com/

Address: 034 la leona, Yolombó, Antioquia

Lagos de Porce

This park, like Ecoparque Las Garzas, is an hour and a half from Medellin and is close to the river Porce. Lagos de Porce only has one lake for fishing. 

But don’t worry. The lake has a little less than 200,000 square feet of surface area, so you’ll have no problem catching something!

The types of fish you can catch include: 

• Red and Black Tilapia
• River Tarpon
• Cachama
• Tucunaré

If you have your own fishing equipment you can bring it but the place will let you borrow a fishing rod for free. Whatever fish you catch will then be weighed and sold at a set price per pound. 

Aside from the fishing, you can head over to the restaurant. There, they’ll actually prepare the fish you catch for you!

Once you’ve had your fill, head over to the swimming pool. Or, settle in for the night in the cabins. They’re big enough for 3-5 people, so you can get a group of friends to go. 

The park also has bird-watching, billiards, and lawn games for you to play. In other words, there’s tons of stuff for you to do while you’re at the park!

Website: https://lagosdeporce.com/

Address: 300 mts de, Puente Gavino, Antioquia

Truchera San José

Located in Belmira, an hour and a half from Medellín, the Truchera San José is a lake that specializes raising trout. In fact, they’ve produced such good trout at this place that they’ve actually been recognized for having some of the biggest trout in the area. 

Truchera San José has fifteen different lakes for raising and producing trout and another four lakes dedicated to sport fishing. Unlike the other lakes on this list, you’ve got to either bring your own gear or pay for a rental, but it’s worth it considering the size of fish you can take home!

If you want to skip the hard work and just enjoy the fish, you can sit down at their restaurant. The place is right by the lake, so you’ll enjoy gorgeous views while you eat. 

Overnight guests can stay in simple log cabins or in a fishing lodge. It’s a nice way to post up if you plan to do some serious fishing there for a weekend getaway.

Other activities in the area include bird watching, mini-golf, hiking to the lookout point on Santa Inés, and visiting the nearby town of Belmira. 

Website: https://trucherasanjose.com/
Address: 051420, Belmira, Antioquia 

Go Fishing Around Medellín

Going fishing in Medellin is definitely a far cry from going fishing in the US. But, it’s still a fun way to get outdoors and get some fresh air. Cast a line at one of these fishing spots and try your own luck!

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