Catch a Flying Fish at Lake Arenal

Lake Arenal is one of the major attractions in Costa Rica. Located near the world famous Arenal Volcano, this lake is one of the sources of Costa Rica’s electricity. The place is magnificent with its surrounding rolling hills with dense forest areas in some places and patches of pasturelands in some places while dominated by the perfect cone of Arenal Volcano mostly on the east side.

The tranquility of Lake Arenal is best for people who would like to unwind form busy schedules and for honeymooners who would like to be left alone most of the time! The shorelines near Lake Arenal are best for early morning walks and those romantic moonlight walks you are planning with your partner. You can also go horseback riding following the shorelines with the wind blowing you hair.

There isn’t much partying at Lake Arenal so if you are planning to rock and roll all night, you might find this place inappropriate. But if you are a big fan of sports fishing, this place is definitely for you. Lake Arenal is known as one of the best place to catch a rainbow bass or a flying Machaca. Fly fishermen flock to this place primarily for the Machaca, which could reach about 9lbs within the lake. So if you plan to catch some flying fish in Lake Arenal, bring 8-10 wt. rods and 9 ft. leaders and smaller (size 4-8) poppers and streamers as your going to get a lot of resistance from these huge fishes. For best results, you should go fly fishing from January to February and August to December when the Machaca are its peak.

There is no where else in Central America that the sport of windsurfing is better enjoyed than at Lake Arenal, Costa Rica. A man-made lake of 75 square kms, Lake Arenal lies adjacent to Arenal Volcano and is used as a hydroelectric dam. Lake Arenal is 24 miles long and is situated at 11 degrees latitude, and is 1,525 feet above sea level. With 48 square miles of surface area, the average surrounding air temp: 70-80 degrees, while the water temperature generally averages 73 degrees. The shallow, warm waters provide ideal conditions for boarders, while the high winds are unusually stable; is very typical to sail one sail size all day. In addition, there are several hotels which provide specialized equipment for those interested in either renting gear of taking lessons during your visit; top of the line gear is available allowing boarders to leave their equipment at home.