Other fishes of Rio San Juan, and Nicaragua Lake

We have a wide variety of fish in Nicaragua lake, including Machaca, Guapote, Mojara, Tilapia, Sawfish, Drum, Freshwater Shark, and other interesting species.
 

Machaca

We have a mini Tarpon species in our area that ranges from 1lb to 10lb, with the usual catch being between 5 to 7lb. In fact, my sons Alex and Alain have caught several 8+ lb Tarpons, which is not bad for their age of 7 and 6 years old. The IGFA World record for this species is around 9lb. Local people call it Sabalette, while it is known as Sabalo elsewhere. These Tarpons are very fun to catch on light tackle or fly and are abundant all year round with some peak periods. They are very aggressive and we have caught many of them while trolling for Tarpon using the same Rapalla Magnum 14 lure.

Guapote

At our Lodge, we offer a variety of fishing experiences, including targeting the big Lagunero (Rainbow Bass) and the smaller but equally exciting baitfish known as Mojarra. These little guys typically range from 1lb to 3lb+ and are abundant in the Solentiname Archipelago and the surrounding swamps of Rio Frio.

We have had great success catching Mojarra using small sardines as bait or fishing with lures under the bush. Our deck offers easy access to these fish, making for an enjoyable and productive day on the water. We want you to feel welcome and valued here at our Lodge, and we look forward to helping you catch some exciting fish!

Mojarra

We have a fun little fish called Mojara that you can catch while fishing for Wapote or Rainbow. These feisty fish are 1lb to 3lb in size and come in a large range of colors. They're very aggressive and will take the same lures as the bigger fish. We can't wait to have you join us and experience the thrill of catching Mojara!

TILAPIA

We recently caught two interesting fish while trolling - one weighing 6lbs (caught by Mrs. Joyce Perew) and the other weighing over 11lbs (caught by Mr. Feroque). The IGFA World record for this fish is 6lbs, but we didn't report our catch as we're concerned that it might attract Tilapia Farmers from all over the world. Nevertheless, we love sharing our fishing experiences with you and hope to continue doing so in the future.

Roncador ( Drums )

These fish are abundant during certain times of the year and can be caught using a variety of methods, including trolling with Rapalla 14 or using live worms.

 

Sawfish PROTECTED

Sawfish can be incredibly large. At Hacienda San Pancho, there is a bill from a 1800lb fish caught years ago by a family member of Mr. Carlos Coronel. Rito, my guard, has been fishing the lake for 20 years and once caught a 1200lb Sawfish on a hand line in a wooden canoe. The only Sawfish I have personally seen is a small one caught in a net by a local professional fisherman.

 

Strange fish in the Lake???

Can any marine biologist help us identify these fish? They were caught in a net by a local fisherman.

Update May 2008: Thank you to all the readers who helped identify these fish as plecos. They are originally from the Amazon and are bottom feeders commonly used in aquariums to clean the glass. It's still a mystery how they ended up in the lake as they are not native to the area. It's possible that some were accidentally dropped in the lake, and since there are no predators and conditions are favorable, they have reproduced rapidly. They are abundant now, and although they are edible, they are only caught using nets and are not considered great food. Polo, one of our guides, says they are so-so.

Sharks, PROTECTED

Nicaragua Lake, where we are blessed with a unique ecosystem that is home to a variety of aquatic species. One of the most fascinating creatures that reside in our waters is the Freshwater Shark. Although they are not a specific kind of shark, they are still an exciting sight to behold. It is important to note that these sharks, along with the sawfish, are protected by Marena, and we do not fish for them.

We had several accidental confrontations with the Bull Sharks in the past, while we were fishing for Tarpon using live or dead bait. One such encounter happened in January 2001, where a Tarpon that was on the line for over an hour suddenly became frantic and broke the line. Upon investigation, we realized that a Bull Shark was present in the area. Although we have seen the fin of the shark on a few occasions, we understand the importance of protecting these creatures and do not engage with them.

We value the unique biodiversity of our lake and are committed to preserving it for generations to come.