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FISHING GUIDE · FALKLAND ISLANDS
Falkland Islands Fishing Guide
The Falklands have strong runs of sea-run brown trout in wide, treeless rivers such as the Warrah, San Carlos, Chartres and Malo. The season is September to April, with the best fishing in September-October and February-March when rivers clear after rain. Anglers fish on private farmland, so landowner permission is needed, and the native zebra trout is fully protected.
📍 Falkland Islands, South Atlantic. West Falkland: the Warrah and Chartres rivers, fished from Port Howard. East Falkland: the San Carlos River, the Malo River (flows into Salvador Water in the north), the Murrell estuary near Stanley, Swan Inlet and the Frying Pan. Visitors fly into Mount Pleasant and use FIGAS island flights.
Map: spots, ramps and marinas
★ Fishing hot spot · ● Boat ramp · ● Marina · ▭ Protected area (solid red = no fishing, dashed = fishing with rules)
Open the full Falkland Islands map →
Quick facts
- Brown trout were brought to the Falklands from Chile and the UK between 1944 and 1962; some go to sea and come back as large sea trout.
- The trout season runs September 1 to April 30; the legal close season is May to August.
- The Falklands sea trout record listed by the tourist board is 22 lb 12.5 oz, caught by Alison Faulkner.
- Zebra trout (Aplochiton zebra) is a native fish protected by law and must not be taken.
- On the Murrell River, anglers may keep no more than three trout a day and must release trout under 1.5 lb.
What you can catch
- Sea trout (sea-run brown trout)
Main target; best in the Warrah, Chartres, San Carlos and Malo rivers and their estuaries. - Brown trout (resident)
Smaller river fish; introduced 1944-1962. - Falklands mullet (robalo / rock cod)
A Patagonian blenny, not a true mullet; can be fished all year and sight-cast in shallows. - Smelt (pejerrey)
Marine fish that run into creeks at high tide, e.g. Herbert Stream. - Zebra trout (protected)
Native; protected by law. Release at once if caught by accident.
Month by month
| January | Trout season open. Few fresh fish running; good time for estuary fishing. |
|---|---|
| February | Prime month; bigger sea trout often caught in Feb-Mar. |
| March | Prime month; big fish running. |
| April | Season open to Apr 30; good conditions often in Mar-Apr. |
| May | Trout close season (May-Aug). Mullet can still be fished. |
| June | Trout close season. Mullet fishing only. |
| July | Trout close season. Mullet fishing only. |
| August | Trout close season ends Aug 31. |
| September | Trout season opens Sep 1; Sep-Oct is a top period. |
| October | Top period for sea trout. |
| November | Season open; fish when rivers clear after a spate. |
| December | Few fish running; estuary fishing is the better option. |
Tips
- Most rivers run through private farms; get the landowner's or farm manager's permission before you fish.
- Ask your tour operator or the Falkland Islands Tourist Board about bag limits, any fees and biosecurity rules before you go.
- Fish a river as it clears after a spate; rain makes or breaks the fishing.
- The freshwater stretch of the Murrell River is closed to fishing; fish the estuary instead.
- Know what a zebra trout looks like and release it unharmed; killing one can lead to prosecution.
Rules and license
Falkland Islands Government (Conservation of Wildlife and Nature Ordinance 1999; Murrell River Fishing Regulations 2006); Falkland Islands Tourist Board · Official rules page ↗
- Trout close season: May to August. Open season Sep 1 - Apr 30.
- Under the 1999 Ordinance, rod-and-line anglers may take up to six trout a day outside the close season; check current rules.
- Zebra trout (Aplochiton zebra) is specially protected; it may not be taken without a licence.
- A wildlife licence does not give a right to enter land; landowner permission is still needed.
- Murrell River: max three trout per day; trout under 1.5 lb released alive; no fishing at the road crossing, within 100 m of it, or west of Drunken Rock Pass.
- Non-selective nets and traps, explosives and poisons are banned.
- Fees and individual farm bag limits vary; check current rules with the operator or landowner.
Rules change. Always check the official page before you fish.
Boat ramps and marinas
The map above shows 1 boat ramps and 2 marinas from OpenStreetMap. Tap any dot for directions.
- Maiden Harbour Marina
- The Canache
Sources
- https://www.falklandislands.com/things-to-do/fishing
- https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/fal220742.pdf
- https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/fal220744.pdf
- https://falklandsconservation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Freshwater-fish-in-the-Falklands-Conservation-of-native-zebra-trout.-Final-Report.-Ross-2009..pdf
- https://www.falklandislandsholidays.com/itinerary-samples/falklands-fishing/
- https://anglersjournal.com/freshwater/fishing-the-falklands/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malo_River
Checked October 2026. BigJoe does not invent facts: every number on this page comes from the sources listed above.