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Do You Need a Fly Fishing License in Chile?
Do You Need a Fly Fishing License in Chile?
If you are planning a fly fishing trip to Patagonia, there is one important thing to take care of before getting on the water: your Chilean recreational fishing license.
Yes, a fishing license is required to practice recreational fishing in Chile. The good news is that getting one is relatively simple, including for international visitors.
How to Get a Fishing License in Chile
Fishing licenses are issued by SERNAPESCA, Chile’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service.
The easiest option for most travelers is to purchase the license online through SERNAPESCA’s official Recreational Fishing Portal. Foreign visitors can use a passport or national identification document (DNI) to obtain their license.
Licenses can also be purchased at SERNAPESCA offices and authorized points of sale in Chile.
Once issued, the license is personal and non-transferable. Anglers must carry it while fishing, but it can be shown digitally from a phone or other mobile device, so there is no need to carry a printed copy.
How Much Does a Chile Fishing License Cost?
For foreign visitors in 2026, recreational fishing licenses cover both marine and inland waters and are available for different periods:
- One week: CLP $19,900
- One month: CLP $39,800
- One year: CLP $59,600
Prices are established in Chilean pesos and are updated annually based on the value of the Unidad de Fomento (UF), so travelers should always confirm the current price when purchasing their license. sernapesca
For most international anglers visiting Patagonia for a fishing vacation, the weekly or monthly option will usually make the most sense.
A Few Rules to Know Before You Fish
Having a fishing license does not mean that every river or lake can be fished at any time.
Chile has recreational fishing regulations covering seasons, species, fishing methods, protected waters, and Catch & Release requirements. Aysén also has regional regulations that anglers must follow. Subpesca
We explored Catch & Release and why it matters in Patagonia in our previous Wildfly Journal article. The important thing to remember is simple: always check the regulations that apply to the waters you will be fishing.
Fishing with Wildfly Patagonia

If you are fishing with Wildfly Patagonia, you won’t have to navigate everything on your own.
Before your fishing experience, we will help our guests understand which license they need and how to obtain it, while our guides will help ensure that each day on the river follows current fishing regulations and responsible fishing practices.
That means less time worrying about paperwork and more time enjoying what you came to Patagonia for.

Come for the fishing. Stay for Patagonia.
Fishing · Rivers · Connection