Costa Rica is "Rich" in stream and lake fish species, such as rainbow and largemouth bass.

Rainbow bass (guapote), mojarra, vieja, machaca, catfish, drum, alligator gar and other light tackle species also abound, while sawfish and freshwater sharks are occasionally caught well up river, usually fishing at night with natural bait. Guapote are a largemouth bass fishermen;s dream, and are fished exactly as you would for bass at home, readily taking spinner baits, jigs and crank baits.

For dedicated fresh water fisherman, Costa Rica also offers literally hundreds of miles of rivers and some lakes that always provide plenty of sport. Lake Arenal is most popular inland water, located about a four-hour drive from San José. It's loaded with rainbow bass, a member of cichlid family as is peacock bass found in some parts of South America and more recently introduced to Florida waters. The mature male develops a bizarre hump at back of its head that can be as large as softball, displays shadings of rainbow trout and has fishing characteristics of a largemouth bass, but is related to neither. During a 1-1/2 day tournament at Lake Arenal not long ago, winning two-man team weighted in a record 17 fish at 91 lbs, 5oz.

IGFA record for species found only in Costa Rica and parts of Nicaragua, is 11 lb, 8 oz., and was caught in Lago Hule or often called Lago Echandi on some maps, a beautiful postage stamp sized lake near San Miguel, but very difficult to access. Lago Cato, just above Arenal, Caño Negro Lagoon in northern Guanacaste, and Lake Nicaragua, located across border but most easily accessed from Costa Rica are other inland hot spots.

Many rivers also have rainbow bass, along with bobo (a fresh water mullet); mojarra, another colorful cichlid related to guapote that looks like a giant bluegill with teeth; machaca, often called sabalito, or little tarpon, because of its acrobatic jumps that make it a favorite of fly fishermen; drum and others. Caño Negro is an immense inland lake that is home to largest tarpon you're likely to find in country. Largest actually weighted in from there was 205 pounds. It also has snook, drum, guapote and others of those mentioned above.

There is rainbow trout fishing in Costa Rica, but access to most of more productive areas is challenging. Trout eggs from United States were first stocked in many of country's high elevation rivers and streams more than 20 years ago, and rainbows now propagate naturally. Access to trout waters generally is very difficult and requires a guide and a horse, but there are some exceptions, including a section of Savegre River near San Gerardo de Dota. Lake Arenal is open to fishing throughout year, but is a closed season in most inland waters, and a valid Costa Rican fishing license is required for freshwater fishing in country. Seasons may vary, so it is best to check. Most guides and resorts catering to inland fishermen provide license as part of their packages. Because Costa Rica is a small nation geographically, there's hardly anyplace you can't reach within a few hours drive. The fishing areas on both coasts are serviced by regularly scheduled in-country airlines and charter flights.

There is always plenty of action someplace in country, but it varies with migratory patterns, seasons and prevailing wind, weather, currents and other natural conditions at any given time. The best time to come fishing in Costa Rica? Whenever you can get here!

Costa Rica Fishing Regions

Pacific Coast

The Pacific Coast region is divided roughly into Northern, Central and Southern Pacific fishing areas, with conditions varying with seasons in each area.

Northern Pacific

Cabo Blanco to Gulf of Papagayo

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By Kriss Hammond - Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent - at www.jetsettersmagazine.com

Air and gravity. As long as both exist (which we can be thankful for), a sailplane can glide. The term "sailplane" refers to aircraft without an engine, with a glide ratio of greater than 20:1; that is, for every vertical foot plane descends, it travels 20 horizontal feet (gliders, on other hand, have a glide ratio of less than 20:1). The high performance model we rode in had a glide ratio of 35:1, which allows for more maneuverability. And although many people assume sailplanes are flimsy, lightweight vehicles, modern sailplanes are built to withstand higher G-forces than those experienced by commercial airlines (as Howie demonstrated to us with stomach-scrambling effectiveness).

Sailplanes have climbed to altitudes greater than 45,000 feet, flown distances farther than 1,400 miles and can fly at maximum speeds of more than 200 mph. Because of aerodynamic efficiency of modern sailplanes, pilots can remain in flight for 6 or 7 hours at a time if conditions are favorable. "In a sail plane, we're basically continuously descending. What really limits us, however, is our bladder," Howie informed us matter-of-factly, "We can stay up for 5, 6, 7 hours at a time if we want, but at a certain point, you need a break."

The sail plane is launched either slingshot style via ¾" bungy cord or, more commonly, under tow from a propeller plane. On our ascent behind our propeller plane, I was struck by how smooth and graceful flight is. The only sound is air rushing through vents in canopy to provide ventilation. We could feel air growing cooler as we rose higher (maybe it was just tranquility of flight). At around 2,000 to 3,000 feet, I released tow cable and our sailplane was at mercy of gravity, aerodynamics and Howie. We soared above rolling foothills of Palomar Mountains, brown with summer heat. Highway 79 below us was a ribbon of gray, with matchbox cars inching along. I felt bad for those stuck on terra firma, missing out on what we were experiencing above them. Neener neener neener. In distance I could see tge sea - Salton Sea Desert lapping up on foothills. A truly hypnotic moment. I could easily see how one could get hooked on this. I imagined myself after a long week in grind heading straight to airport, strapping myself into my sailplane, launching into sky and soaring above my worries until I forgot what they were.

When our 30 minutes of soaring smooth skies was over, after dives and banks and buzzed mountaintops and all possible Top Gun references, Howie began our descent to land. Landing is done in a fashion similar to that of powered aircraft: descent (during which our airspeed topped out at 200mph), an approach to runway, and touch down. "Sailplanes can land in a surprisingly short distance if need be," Howie informed as reassuringly. Right. Crashing. But touchdown was perfect- a perfectly smooth landing for a perfectly smooth ride.

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By Misha Troyan - Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent at www.jetsettersmagazine.com