Long before Guatapé became a photogenic day trip from Medellín, its reservoir supported a real fishing economy -- and it still does, running quietly alongside the tourism industry.
How the fishing economy started
When the Peñol-Guatapé reservoir was created in the 1970s by Empresas Públicas de Medellín's hydroelectric project, the newly flooded valley created a large body of water where farmland had been. Tilapia stocking programs developed in the following decades, turning the reservoir into a working fishery for local communities who had lost agricultural land to the flooding.
What fishing looks like today
Small-scale fishing continues on the reservoir, often visible early in the morning before tour boat traffic picks up. It supplies much of the fresh tilapia served in Guatapé's restaurants -- a direct, short supply chain from lake to plate that's part of the town's identity even as tourism has become the dominant industry.
A community shaped by the dam
It's worth understanding that the reservoir's fishing economy exists precisely because of a historical loss -- the flooding displaced thousands of residents and swallowed the original town of El Peñol entirely. Fishing became one of the ways the affected communities adapted to a landscape that had been permanently altered.
Where to see it and try it
Restaurants along the malecón regularly feature fresh tilapia, often prepared simply -- fried whole, or grilled with local seasoning -- and it's one of the more authentic culinary through-lines connecting Guatapé's past to its present tourist economy.
Ready to Climb La Piedra?
Compare small-group and private Guatapé day tours from Medellín -- transport, boat ride, and La Piedra entry sorted for you.
See Guatapé Tours & Prices →Frequently Asked Questions
Is fishing still an active industry in Guatapé?
Yes -- small-scale tilapia fishing continues on the reservoir, supplying much of the fresh fish served locally.
Why does Guatapé have a fishing-based reservoir economy?
The reservoir was created in the 1970s by a hydroelectric dam project, which flooded farmland and displaced residents who then adapted to fishing on the new lake.
What fish is most commonly served in Guatapé restaurants?
Tilapia, sourced from the reservoir itself, is the dominant fish on local menus.