340 waters worth
the trip
From the dry season on the Negro River to the marlin off Vitória, from the dorado of Corrientes to the trout of Patagonia and the flats of the Caribbean. Each destination comes with its species, the right season, how to get there and the local rules.
Abacaxis River — Borba and Nova Olinda do Norte
Forest river between the Madeira and Tapajós, with community sport fishing being regularized. Only with an operator tied to the communities.
Abrolhos and Caravelas
The largest coral bank in the South Atlantic, with reef fishing outside the park and snook in the Caravelas estuary.
Acre River — Rio Branco
Bank and voadeira fishing in the Acre state capital. Leather catfish in the dry season, with the river low and confined.
Aluminé River — Aluminé
Mountain river that flows out of Lake Aluminé and runs down the pehuén valley to the Collón Curá. Rainbow and brown trout, always released.
Alvarado Lagoon — Papaloapan River
A system of lagoons and rivers at the mouth of the Papaloapan, a Ramsar site in southern Veracruz. Snook and fat snook in the mangrove channels, tarpon at the lagoon mouth.
Amapá Grande River — Amapá
Coastal rivers and lakes of northern Amapá, with camurupim rolling in dark water. Remote, little-fished destination.
Amazon River and cochas — Iquitos
The capital of the Peruvian Amazon, with no road to the rest of the country. Peacock bass and arowana in the cochas; paiche with a season and minimum size.
Ambergris Caye — San Pedro
Belize's largest island, with bonefish and permit flats a few minutes from the village and the blue just past the reef.
Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande
Sheltered bay with hundreds of islands and rocky shores. Snook in the mangroves and grouper on the rocks.
Apa River — Bela Vista
Border river with Paraguay in southwest MS, with fishing cabins and inns. Pacu, piraputanga and dorado.
Aquidauana River — Aquidauana
Eastern gateway to the southern Pantanal, two hours from Campo Grande. River of cutbanks with surubim, pacu and piraputanga.
Aquidauana River — Piraputanga and Camisão (hills)
The Aquidauana in the Maracaju hills, in the districts of Piraputanga, Camisão and Palmeiras, with fishing lodges and inns. Piraputanga, pacu and dorado.
Aracaju — Sergipe River estuary
The capital between two estuaries, the Sergipe River and the Vaza-Barris. Snook and tarpon near the city.
Araguaia and das Garças Rivers — Barra do Garças
Where the Rio das Garças meets the upper Araguaia, on the border with Goiás. A city with an airport, seasonal beaches and catfish and cachorra fishing.
Araguaia River — Araguacema
Wide Araguaia, with islands and beaches, on the Tocantins bank facing Pará. Peacock bass in the lakes, cachorra and bicuda in the current.
Araguaia River — Aruanã
The most traditional town on the Goiás Araguaia. Beaches, fishing lodges and houseboats, with peacock bass in the lakes and catfish in the river.
Araguaia River — Bandeirantes (Nova Crixás)
Nova Crixás district on the Goiás bank of the middle Araguaia, between Aruanã and Luiz Alves. Beaches in the dry season, marginal lagoons and a stop on the Gigantes do Araguaia Circuit.
Araguaia River — Cocalinho
Beaches and lakes of the middle Araguaia on the Mato Grosso side. July season with campsites and peacock bass in the lakes.
Araguaia River — Conceição do Araguaia
The Pará stretch of the Araguaia, with beaches in the dry season and peacock bass lakes along the banks. Border with Tocantins.
Araguaia River — Luiz Alves (São Miguel do Araguaia)
Classic Araguaia: white beaches, campsites and lakes with peacock bass. Pirarara and arapaima complete the fishing.
Araguaia River — São Félix do Araguaia
The Araguaia across from Bananal Island. Peacock bass lakes, beaches and catfish in the channel, in northern Mato Grosso.
Araguari River — Porto Grande
Large river in Amapá, with rapids and rock slabs, holding trairão and peacock bass. Sport fishing permitted in the Flona do Amapá stretch.
Araranguá River Mouth — Araranguá
The shifting sandbar at the mouth of the Araranguá River, near Morro dos Conventos, and the neighboring surfcasting beaches, such as Arroio do Silva. Snook, croaker, mullet and papa-terra.
Arinos River — Porto dos Gaúchos
Amazonian river in northern Mato Grosso, a tributary of the Juruena, with a catch-and-release sport fishing festival in August.
Aripuanã River — Novo Aripuanã
Clear-water tributary of the Madeira, with peacock bass in the lakes and catfish and matrinxã in the current.
Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves Dam — Vale do Açu
The largest reservoir in Rio Grande do Norte, in the Vale do Açu. Peacock bass, pescada and tilapia in the Potiguar sertão.
Armação dos Búzios
Peninsula of rocky shores and islands next to Cabo Frio. Olhete, bluefish and grouper around the islands and ledges.
Arraial do Cabo and Cabo Frio
Cold-water upwelling, rocky shores and islands. Olhete, bluefish and grouper close to shore.
Babitonga Bay — São Francisco do Sul
Santa Catarina's largest estuary, with dozens of islands and mangroves. Snook, croaker and sargo near Joinville.
Bahía de la Ascensión — Punta Allen
Shallow flats inside the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. A world reference for fly-fishing permit, with bonefish, tarpon and snook.
Bahía del Espíritu Santo — Sian Ka'an
Shallow bay with empty shorelines in the south of Sian Ka'an, next to Ascensión. Permit on the fly over vast flats, with bonefish, tarpon and snook.
Bahía Magdalena — Puerto Adolfo López Mateos
Coastal lagoon on the Pacific side of Baja California Sur, closed off by sand islands. Snook and croakers in the mangroves, striped marlin in autumn.
Bahía Piña — Tropic Star Lodge
Historic lodge in Darién, on Panama's Pacific coast, with black marlin, big tuna and the famous Zane Grey reef a few kilometers away.
Bahía San Blas — Isla del Jabalí
Fishing village on an island within the Bahía San Blas reserve, at the southern tip of Buenos Aires province. Croaker, pescadilla and large sharks, always released.
Bahía Solano — Chocó Pacific
Blue water close to shore, jungle down to the beach and billfish. Offshore fishing in a zone reserved for artisanal fishing.
Baker River — Puerto Bertrand
Chile's largest river by flow, turquoise blue, rises in Lake Bertrand. Large trout in cold, fast water.
Balbina and Uatumã River — Presidente Figueiredo
Hydroelectric lake with thousands of islands and dead trees, about 3 hours from Manaus. Plenty of açu peacock bass, with road access.
Banabuiú Açude — Banabuiú
Large DNOCS açude in the central sertão of Ceará, on the Banabuiú River. Peacock bass at the rocky points, tilapia and trahira.
Bananal Island — Javaés River
The largest river island in the world, between the Araguaia and the Javaés. Isolated lakes with peacock bass, arapaima and aruanã.
Barra del Colorado
Village at the mouth of the Río Colorado, on Costa Rica's northern Caribbean coast, that became world famous as the kingdom of tarpon.
Barra do Guaicuí — Várzea da Palma
Historic village at the meeting of the Rio das Velhas and the São Francisco, a traditional fishing spot. Dorado, matrinxã and piranha.
Barra do Ribeira — Iguape
The mouth of the Ribeira de Iguape River, in the caiçara village of Barra do Ribeira. Snook above all, with pompano, croaker, weakfish and crevalle jack.
Belize River — Ladyville and Belize City
The river that reaches the sea north of Belize City. Tarpon and snook in the rivers, creeks and mangrove lagoons, minutes from the international airport.
Beni River — Riberalta
The paiche port of the Bolivian Amazon. Here paiche (arapaima) is an introduced species, fished in floodplain lagoons of the Beni and Madre de Dios.
Bertioga Channel — Bertioga
Mangrove channel between Bertioga and Guarujá, connected to the Santos estuary. Common snook and fat snook in the fallen branches and gamboas, with weakfish and croaker.
Bimini — Alice Town (North Bimini)
The Bahamas island closest to Florida, on the edge of the Gulf Stream. Traditional offshore fishing for marlin, tuna and wahoo, with bonefish on the flats.
Black River — St. Elizabeth (Lower Morass)
Mouth of the Black River and the Lower Morass, a Ramsar site on Jamaica's south coast. Snook in the mangroves and river bends, from a small boat.
Boa Esperança Reservoir — Guadalupe
Lake on the Parnaíba River, on the Piauí–Maranhão border. Peacock bass and Piauí croaker at home.
Boca Chica — Chiriquí Gulf
Fishing village at the entrance to Golfo de Chiriquí National Marine Park, a base for islands, seamounts and deep water in Panama's western Pacific.
Bombinhas Rocky Shores — Bombinhas
Peninsula of rocky shores and clear-water beaches between the coves of Porto Belo and Tijucas, facing the Arvoredo Biological Reserve. Bluefish, grouper and sargo.
Cabo Blanco and Máncora
Where the largest marlin ever caught was landed, in 1953. Today billfish fishing is on the Máncora Bank, with mandatory catch and release.
Cachoeira Dourada Lake — Cachoeira Dourada
A narrow lake on the Paranaíba River between Goiás and Minas Gerais, just below the Itumbiara dam. Beaches, thermal waters and a stop on the Goiás Sport Fishing Circuit.
Caeté Estuary and Ajuruteua — Bragança
Mangrove estuary between Bragança and Ajuruteua beach, inside an extractive reserve. Pescada-amarela, snook and camurupim (tarpon).
Camamu Bay — Camamu and Maraú
Bay of islands, mangroves and reefs in southern Bahia, between Camamu and the Maraú Peninsula. Snook in the mangrove, jack and carapeba in the channels.
Campeche — Los Petenes
Shallow coast of mangrove and seagrass north of Campeche city, in the Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve. Juvenile tarpon and snook on the fly.
Cananéia and Ilha Comprida
Preserved Lagamar, with snook, caranha and weakfish in mangrove channels. One of the best estuaries in the South and Southeast.
Canavieiras and Ilhéus
One of Brazil's best blue marlin spots. Snook and camurupim in the extractive reserve's estuary.
Cantão and Araguaia River — Caseara
Gateway to the Cantão, the plain of lakes between the Araguaia, Javaés and Coco rivers. Fishing around it; not inside the park.
Cap Cana — Punta Cana
Marina on the east tip of the Dominican Republic, facing the Mona Passage, with blue and white marlin close to shore.
Capivara Reservoir — Alvorada do Sul
Lake behind the Capivara dam on the middle Paranapanema, on the border with São Paulo. Peacock bass and croaker are the main targets, with trahira, mandi and piau.
Casa de Campo — Marina, La Romana
Marina on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic, with fishing grounds between Parque Nacional del Este, Isla Catalina and Saona.
Cassino Beach to Chuí — surfcasting
About 220 km of continuous beach to Barra do Chuí. Surfcasting for croaker, papa-terra and pompano.
Castanhão Reservoir — Jaguaribara
Largest reservoir in Ceará, on the Jaguaribe River. Peacock bass and croaker in warm water all year.
Cayo Guillermo — Marlin Marina and Canal Viejo de Bahamas
Trolling in the Canal Viejo de Bahamas, a few miles from Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco, for blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish and mahi-mahi.
Cayo Largo del Sur — Canarreos flats
White-sand flats, mangrove and reef on the eastern tip of the Canarreos, with permit, bonefish and tarpon caught on fly only.
Cayo Romano and Cayo Cruz — Jardines del Rey flats
Lagoons, channels and mangrove flats on the north coast of Camagüey, a sport-fishing-only area, with bonefish, permit and tarpon.
Caño Negro — Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
Lagoons and canals of the Frío River in northern Costa Rica, a Ramsar refuge with guapote, tarpon, snook and tropical gar, with fishing only in the permitted season.
Chaguaramas — The Bocas (Bocas del Dragón)
Peninsula in northwest Trinidad, facing the Bocas del Dragón. Schools of tarpon in the channels between the islands, from June to November.
Chavantes Reservoir — Carlópolis
The lake behind the Chavantes dam, full of bays and islands, on the border with São Paulo. Blue peacock bass, croaker and pacu.
Chiloé — Huillinco and Cucao Lakes
Lakes and estuaries on the island's west coast, connected to the Pacific. Brown trout, including sea-run fish, and salmon that escaped from farms.
Chimehuín River — Boca del Chimehuín
The outlet of Lake Huechulafquen, a classic spot for trout fishing in Patagonia. Fly only, total release and an additional permit.
Cidreira Fishing Pier — Cidreira
Concrete pier about 500 m out to sea on the northern coast of Rio Grande do Sul, open all year with an entry fee. Croaker, bluefish, mullet and flounder.
Ciénaga de Zapata — Las Salinas and Hatiguanico River
The largest wetland in the Caribbean, on the Zapata Peninsula, with bonefish flats at Las Salinas and tarpon and snook on the Hatiguanico River.
Clube Pescar — Luziânia
Sport-fishing-only fishery in Luziânia, less than 60 km from Brasília, with three main ponds and pirararas up to 50 kg. Founded in 1996.
Coiba Island — Coiba National Park
Marine national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site on Panama's Pacific coast, with roosterfish, snapper, tuna and marlin in very protected waters.
Collón Curá River
Large steppe river, born where the Aluminé meets the Chimehuín. Drift boat fishing for large trout.
Coremas and Mãe d'Água reservoirs
Paraíba's largest reservoir system, in the Piancó backlands. Peacock bass and croaker in a caatinga lake.
Corriente and Paraná rivers — Esquina
Town in southern Corrientes where the Corriente River meets the Paraná. Home of the Fiesta Nacional del Pacú, with surubim, boga and dorado among islands and creeks.
Corumbá IV Lake — Alexânia
Reservoir on the Corumbá River between Brasília and Goiânia, with arms of flooded cerrado and peacock bass. It has already hosted stops of the Goiás Sport Fishing Circuit.
Corumbá Lake — Caldas Novas
Lake of the Corumbá I hydroelectric plant, next to the thermal waters of Caldas Novas. Peacock bass in the submerged timber and rocks, trahira and tilapia along the shores.
Cozumel — Cozumel Channel and northern lagoons
Island across from Playa del Carmen. Trolling in the Cozumel Channel for sailfish and marlin, and northern lagoons for bonefish and permit.
Cuiabá River — Barão de Melgaço
Northern Pantanal near Cuiabá, with the Cuiabá River and the Chacororé and Siá Mariana bays.
Cuiabá River — Porto Jofre
End of the Transpantaneira, near the confluence of the Cuiabá, Piquiri and São Lourenço rivers. Big-river fishing, with a jaguar on the bank.
Curimataú River — Barra do Cunhaú
Mangrove estuary on the southern coast of Rio Grande do Norte, known for adult tarpon rolling in the river. Snook and peva in the mangrove branches.
Cururupu Reentrancies — Cururupu Extractive Reserve
Mangrove archipelagos in the Maranhão Reentrancies, protected by an extractive reserve. Yellow pescada, snook and serra (Spanish mackerel) with local fishers.
Das Mortes River — Nova Xavantina
Clear-water tributary of the Araguaia, with rocky stretches, beaches and rapids. Cachorra, bicuda and catfish in sport fishing.
Delta del Paraná — Zárate
A maze of rivers and streams about 90 km from Buenos Aires. Dorado in winter, pejerrey, boga and tararira in the channels.
East Cape — Los Barriles and Buena Vista
Gulf of California coast north of Los Cabos, with deep water close to the beach. Roosterfish in the surf, mahi-mahi, tuna and marlin offshore.
El Cuchillo Dam — Cuchillo-Solidaridad
Large dam on the San Juan River, in the municipality of China, east of Monterrey. Bass is reserved for sport fishing, with a limit of 1 fish and protected spawning.
El Salto Dam — Ing. Aurelio Benassini Vizcaíno
Elota River reservoir in Sinaloa, known for big black bass. Boat fishing with a guide among submerged trees, under a size rule.
Emborcação Lake — Três Ranchos
Reservoir on the Paranaíba River between Goiás and Minas Gerais, with clear water and peacock bass in the paliteiros (submerged dead trees). Três Ranchos hosts stops of the Goiás Sport Fishing Circuit.
Ensenada — Todos Santos Bay
Pacific port in Baja California, with a sport fishing fleet at the malecón. Yellowtail and rockfish around the islands, tuna offshore in summer.
Epitácio Pessoa Açude — Boqueirão
DNOCS açude (reservoir) in the Paraíba Cariri, near Campina Grande, with peacock bass in the rocks and submerged timber, clear water and caatinga scenery.
Esteros del Iberá — Río Corriente
The great wetland of Corrientes and the river that drains it. Golden dorado on the fly, in clear water over white sand bottoms, always catch and release.
Fajardo — Puerto del Rey and east coast
East coast of Puerto Rico, with large marinas and quick access to Culebra, Vieques and deep water, for marlin, mahi-mahi, wahoo and tuna.
Fernando de Noronha — offshore fishing
Blue water a few minutes from the harbor, with wahoo, barracuda and tuna. Fishing only outside the Marine National Park.
Florianópolis — bays and rocky shores of the island
Island of calm bays, lagoons and rocky shores. Snook in the bays, mullet and bluefish in winter, beach fishing from north to south.
Fortaleza — coast and boat fishing
Bottom fishing and trolling (corrico) from Mucuripe, over rocks and reefs off the Ceará coast. Cavala (king mackerel), cioba (mutton snapper) and guaiuba (dog snapper).
Foz do Areia Lake — Bituruna
Lake behind the Foz do Areia dam on the middle Iguaçu, with sport fishing for dorado and an annual championship in Bituruna.
Furnas Lake — Capitólio
The sea of Minas, between canyons and ranges. Peacock bass, trahira and tilapia in clear water.
Futaleufú River — Futaleufú
Binational river of turquoise water flowing from Argentina to Lake Yelcho. Trout by wading and from a raft; in the upper stretch, catch and release only.
Galápagos — Marine Reserve (experiential fishing)
Ordinary sport fishing is not allowed in the Marine Reserve. Tourists fish only on the experiential fishing tour, with a local fisherman authorized by the National Park.
Garopaba and Imbituba
Coves, rocky shores and lagoons on the right whale coast. Mullet and bluefish in winter, snook in the lagoons.
Gatún Lake — Gamboa
Canal reservoir in Panama with sargento, speckled peacock bass introduced in the 1960s, and tarpon that pass through the locks, near the capital.
Golfito — Golfo Dulce
Deep, sheltered gulf on Costa Rica's south Pacific coast, with sailfish and marlin offshore, and roosterfish, snapper and snook near the coast.
Grand Bahama — East End (McLean's Town and Deep Water Cay)
The eastern tip of Grand Bahama, with fishing villages and a maze of flats and mangroves. Resident bonefish and hard-bottom flats to wade.
Grande River — Água Vermelha lake (Cardoso)
Água Vermelha dam lake, on the Grande River, on the border of São Paulo and Minas Gerais. Peacock bass and croaker.
Great Exuma — George Town and Elizabeth Harbour
The main town of Exuma, facing Elizabeth Harbour. Bonefish and permit flats surround it, and a national park is closed to extractive fishing.
Guanabara Bay Head — Guapimirim
Mangroves and channels at the head of Guanabara Bay, within the Guapimirim Environmental Protection Area (APA). Robalo-peva and robalo-flecha, with bagre, croaker and ubarana.
Guaporé River — Costa Marques
The Guaporé on the border with Bolivia, near the Real Forte Príncipe da Beira. Catfish and pirapitinga in a várzea river.
Guaporé River — Pimenteiras do Oeste
Border river with Bolivia, with huge várzeas and bays. Surubim and pirarara in the river, peacock bass in the bays.
Guaporé River — Vila Bela da Santíssima Trindade
Upper Guaporé in the former capital of Mato Grosso, near Bolivia. Waterfront, dry-season beaches and a fishing festival in September.
Guarapari — rocky shores and open sea
Beaches, islands and rocky shores south of Vitória, with rocky-shore fishing and trips to open sea.
Guaíba Lake — Itapuã, Viamão
Where the Guaíba meets the Laguna dos Patos, next to Itapuã State Park. Trahira, jundiá, silverside, piava and croaker.
Guri Reservoir — Bolívar
Venezuela's largest reservoir, with black water, on the Caroní River. Peacock bass and payara in a sport fishery that once had a great reputation and is now feeling the pressure of fishing.
Hanabanilla Reservoir — Escambray
Mountain reservoir in the Escambray, Villa Clara, with black bass, known in Cuba as trucha, fished from a boat with tag and release.
Hemingway Marina — Havana
Billfish trolling in the Straits of Florida, off Havana, from the marina that hosts the aguja fishing tournament created in 1950.
Holbox — Yum Balam
Sand island in northern Quintana Roo, inside the Yum Balam Flora and Fauna Protection Area. Tarpon on fly and spinning.
Iaco River — Sena Madureira
Purus tributary that flows past Sena Madureira, in Acre. Catfish in the channel pools and scaled fish in the várzea lakes.
Ilha do Mel
Car-free island at the entrance of Paranaguá Bay. Beach and rocky-shore fishing outside protected areas.
Ilha Solteira and Três Irmãos
Two lakes linked by the Pereira Barreto Canal. A São Paulo benchmark for peacock bass and croaker.
Ilhabela and São Sebastião Channel
Deep channel and oceanic islands close to shore. Olhete and bluefish in winter, mahi-mahi in summer.
Inírida and Atabapo Rivers — Inírida
Blackwater at the Estrella Fluvial del Inírida, where the Inírida, Guaviare and Atabapo meet the Orinoco. Açu peacock bass on indigenous territory.
Isla Mujeres — Mexican Caribbean
Island across from Cancún, a classic base for sailfish fishing in the Mexican Caribbean. Sailboat races in winter and spring.
Itaipu Cove — Niterói
Niterói's open-ocean cove, between Piratininga and Itacoatiara, with the Pai, Mãe and Menina islands. Croaker, cutlassfish and betara, inside an extractive reserve with its own rules.
Itaipu Lake — Santa Helena
Arms and small beaches of Itaipu Lake, with peacock bass, croaker and native fish from Paraná. Many tournaments.
Itajaí and Balneário Camboriú
The country's largest fishing port and the Balneário Camboriú waterfront. Jetties, islands and shoals with bluefish and olhete.
Itamaracá Island and Santa Cruz Channel
Mangrove channel between the island and the mainland, north of Recife. Snook and tarpon on the tide.
Itanhaém River — Itanhaém
Mangrove estuary an hour and a half from São Paulo. Robalo-flecha and peva in the arms of the Itanhaém River.
Itapará River — Rorainópolis
Blackwater tributary of the lower Branco River, near Santa Maria do Boiaçu. Açu peacock bass with a limited number of anglers.
Itumbiara Reservoir — Paranaíba River
Paranaíba reservoir between Goiás and Minas, near the BR-153. Peacock bass and corvina on fishing weekends.
Itupararanga Reservoir — Ibiúna
A century-old reservoir on the Rio Sorocaba, about 100 km from São Paulo. Trahira, curimbatá, lambari and mandi in weekend fishing.
Itá Lake — Uruguay River
Hydroelectric lake on the Uruguay River, between Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. Trahira, jundiá and piava, with dorado in the river.
Ivinhema River — Ivinhema
Floodplain (várzea) river of the Paraná basin in southern MS, with fishing cabins and inns. Dorado and surubim catch and release; the lower course is a state park.
Iwokrama — Essequibo River (Kurupukari)
A 371,000-hectare protected forest in the heart of Guyana, with Essequibo rapids, big catfish and peacock bass in a seasonal fishing package.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo — Costa Grande of Guerrero
Fishing bay on Guerrero's Costa Grande, with blue water close to shore. Sailfish almost all year, marlin in late winter, roosterfish on the beaches.
Iztapa and Puerto San José
Guatemala's Pacific coast is known for the number of sailfish raised per day, always catch and release.
Jardines de la Reina
Remote archipelago in southern Cuba, a national park with pristine flats, bonefish, permit and tarpon, catch and release only.
Jatapu Lake — Caroebe
Hydroelectric reservoir in southern Roraima, with a sport peacock bass fishing festival and the Brazilian record for speckled pavon.
Jericoacoara and Camocim
Dune village on Ceará's west coast, inside a national park. Trolling for king mackerel offshore and snook in the Camocim rivers.
Joulter Cays — North Andros (Lowe Sound)
White sand banks north of Andros, a national park since 2015. Large schools of bonefish, fished on foot with Lowe Sound guides.
João Pessoa — coast and parrachos
Coastal reefs, parrachos and the easternmost point of the Americas. Bottom fishing and trolling from a boat near the city.
Jufari River — AM/RR border
Blackwater tributary of the Rio Negro, on the border between Amazonas and Roraima. Big açu peacock bass in rarely fished lakes.
Juparanã Lagoon — Linhares
The largest of the lower Rio Doce lagoons, with more than 60 km² of freshwater in Linhares. Peacock bass, trahira and snook, with a catch-and-release tournament in August.
Juruena River — Cotriguaçu
Remote river in northwestern MT, with clear water and rapids. Trairão, payara and matrinxã in a nearly untouched environment.
Jurumirim Reservoir — Avaré
The first big reservoir on the Paranapanema, with long arms and clean water. Peacock bass, croaker and trahira.
Juruá River — Cruzeiro do Sul
The big river of western Acre. Leather catfish in the dry-season pools, and peacock bass and aruanã in the várzea lakes.
Karanambu — Rupununi River
Lodge on the banks of the Rupununi, founded by conservationist Diane McTurk, with catch-and-release arapaima (pirarucu) and payara and peacock bass in the river.
La Paloma — Rocha coast
Open beaches, rocky points and a harbor on the Uruguayan Atlantic. Black corvina, anchovy and surf fishing.
La Paz — Sea of Cortez
Capital of Baja California Sur, on the Sea of Cortez. Roosterfish on the beaches, dorado in open water and snapper on the rocks.
Lago Baccarac — Presa Bacurato (Gustavo Díaz Ordaz)
Sinaloa River dam that appears in English as Lake Baccarac. Black bass caught by boat, with a lodge, on a lake whose level varies widely.
Lago de Itaparica — Petrolândia
Luiz Gonzaga dam lake, between Pernambuco and Bahia, with the submerged church tower of Petrolândia. Croaker and tilapia.
Lago dos Tigres — Britânia
Natural lake with calm waters in the Araguaia valley, with a beach in town. Lake fishing and a base for the Araguaia.
Lago Rincón del Bonete — San Gregorio de Polanco
Beach town on a peninsula of Rincón del Bonete lake, on the Negro River, with a cove reserved for sport fishing. The tararira (trahira) is the target.
Lago Yelcho and Río Yelcho — Puerto Cárdenas
Emerald-green glacial lake on the Carretera Austral, south of Chaitén, where the Río Yelcho begins. Trout and salmon from boats and from the shore.
Laguna and Florianópolis — mullet and snook
Mullet run in autumn and snook in the lagoons and bays in summer. Cooperative fishing with dolphins in Laguna.
Laguna Cáceres and Tamengo Canal — Puerto Quijarro
Bolivia's gateway to the Pantanal, next to Corumbá. A lagoon and canal connected to the Paraguay River, between two large protected areas.
Lajeado Lake — Palmas
Tocantins hydroelectric lake at the gate of the capital. Peacock bass and croaker with big-city logistics.
Lake Arenal
Costa Rica's largest lake, at the foot of Arenal volcano, with native guapote (rainbow bass) and machaca.
Lake Atitlán — Sololá
Volcanic lake of 130 km² in the highlands, surrounded by three volcanoes. Introduced black bass, fished from a launch or from a dugout canoe near the shore.
Lake Cocibolca — San Carlos and Solentiname
Outflow of the San Juan River at the southeast of Lake Cocibolca, with the Solentiname archipelago alongside: tarpon, guapote and snook in fresh water.
Lake Dos Bocas — Utuado and Arecibo
1942 reservoir in north-central Puerto Rico, with introduced peacock bass and black bass and daily limits set by the DRNA.
Lake General Carrera — Puerto Guadal
Huge blue binational lake, called Lake Buenos Aires in Argentina. Trout on trolling and at river mouths.
Lake Strobel (Jurassic Lake) — Barrancoso River
Remote lake on the Santa Cruz plateau, famous for giant rainbow trout. Catch and release only, in the lake and in the Barrancoso River.
Lake Titicaca — Puno
High-altitude lake, at 3,810 m, between Peru and Bolivia. Trout and pejerrey, both introduced, share the water with native carachi and ispi.
Lake Yojoa — Cortés, Comayagua and Santa Bárbara
Honduras' largest natural lake, set among mountains and coffee farms. It was once a destination for black bass; today fishing is modest and the lake is a Ramsar site.
Loreto — Bahía de Loreto National Park
Mission town on the Gulf of California, inside a marine national park with five islands. Yellowtail at the points, mahi-mahi in summer.
Los Alerces National Park — Arrayanes and Rivadavia rivers
Short, clear-water rivers between lakes and alerce forests in the Chubut cordillera. Trout on the fly, under national park rules.
Los Cabos — Cabo San Lucas
Where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. One of the world capitals for marlin, with a large fleet and fishing grounds near the harbor.
Los Roques Archipelago
National park in the Venezuelan Caribbean and one of the most sought-after bonefish destinations in the Caribbean. Sight fishing on the flats.
Los Sueños — Herradura
The most developed marina on Costa Rica's central Pacific, a base for sailfish and marlin less than two hours from San José.
Lower Rio Branco — Santa Maria do Boiaçu
Muddy river with blackwater tributaries. Mixed fishing: peacock bass in the lakes and big catfish in the main channel.
Maceió — Alagoas coast
Warm sea and reefs close to shore, with cavala, guaiúba and mahi-mahi. Snook and camurupim in the lagoons.
Madeira River — Borba
River of giant catfish. Piraíba, dourada and pirarara in the main channel; peacock bass and tambaqui in the lakes and tributaries.
Madeira River — Porto Velho
The river of the big migratory catfish. Dourada, piraíba and pirarara in the strong channel of the Madeira, next to the capital.
Malleo River
Open-valley river with a view of the Lanín volcano. Dry-fly fishing in clear water, wading, with release.
Mamoré River — Guajará-Mirim
Muddy border river with Bolivia, land of big catfish. Clearwater tributaries hold peacock bass and scaled fish.
Manguaba Lagoon — Marechal Deodoro and Pilar
Lagoon of about 42 km² between Pilar and Marechal Deodoro, linked to the sea by the channels of the Mundaú-Manguaba complex. Snook near the channels.
Manso Lake — Chapada dos Guimarães
The largest artificial lake in Mato Grosso, on the Manso River, a tributary of the Cuiabá River. Marinas, beaches and boat fishing near Cuiabá and Chapada dos Guimarães.
Manta — Manabí
Ecuador's largest fishing port and home to the tuna fleet. Trolling trips after marlin, yellowfin tuna and mahi-mahi.
Manzanillo — Manzanillo and Santiago Bays
Colima port that bills itself as the world capital of sailfish. Sailfish, marlin, mahi-mahi and tuna, with a tournament going on for seven decades.
Marajó Island — Soure
Estuary fishing at the mouth of the Amazon, with camurupim, acoupa weakfish and snook on beaches, channels and mangroves.
Marié River — upper Rio Negro
The river of giant peacock bass, in indigenous land. Community-based sport fishing, catch and release only, with limited spots.
Matsumura Fishery — São Paulo
Fishery opened in 1993 at the southern tip of the São Paulo capital, with six lakes in two units, tambacus over 38 kg and pirararas over 25 kg, according to the venue.
Matupiri River — Borba
Tributary of the Igapó-Açu, in the Madeira basin, protected by an RDS and a state park. Peacock bass on a remote river, only with a licensed operator.
Mazatlán — Sinaloa
Traditional billfishing port on the Mexican Pacific, at the entrance to the Gulf of California. Sailfish, marlin and dorado.
Miranda Reservoir — Indianópolis
Lake on the Araguari River between Uberlândia and Indianópolis, lined with fishing cabins and platforms. Yellow and blue peacock bass, trahira and chum fishing.
Miranda River — Passo do Lontra
Pantanal along the Estrada Parque, with inns on the Miranda's banks. Surubim, pacu and piraputanga everywhere.
Miranda River — Águas do Miranda (Bonito)
Hill stretch of the Miranda River, between Bonito and the Pantanal, with hotels, inns and fishing lodges. Pacu, piraputanga, dorado and catfish.
Mogi Guaçu River — Cachoeira de Emas
Classic rapids in São Paulo's interior, a passage point for piracema fish. Dorado, curimbatá, piapara and mandi.
Mongaguá Fishing Platform
Concrete pier about 400 m out to sea, T-shaped, for fishing beyond the surf without a boat.
Mouth of the Jaguaribe River — Fortim
Where the Jaguaribe meets the sea, between Fortim and Aracati, on Ceará's east coast. Snook in the mangrove and tarpon at the bar.
Mouth of the Mamanguape River — Rio Tinto and Marcação
Preserved estuary on the northern coast of Paraíba, manatee habitat, with tarpon in the river and at the bar. Fishing regulated by the APA.
Mouth of the Rio de Contas — Itacaré
The Rio de Contas reaches the sea at Itacaré among mangroves, beaches and Atlantic Forest. Snook and tarpon come in with the tide.
Natal — Rio Grande do Norte coast
Boat fishing on shoals and open sea, for cavala (Spanish mackerel), mahi-mahi, tuna and reef fish.
Nhamundá River — Nhamundá
Blackwater river on the border between Amazonas and Pará, with dry-season beaches and a traditional peacock bass fishing festival.
Nova Ponte Reservoir — Araguari River
Triângulo Mineiro reservoir, famous for peacock bass, with long arms and clear water.
Nuquí — Golfo de Tribugá
Gulf of Tribugá, on the Chocó Pacific: rocks, river mouths and blue sea close to shore, in a management district with artisanal fishing and whales.
Oiapoque River — Oiapoque
Brazil's northernmost point, on the border with French Guiana. Snook and pescada in the estuary, trairão upriver.
Orinoco, Bita and Tomo — Puerto Carreño
Peacock bass and payara at the confluence of the Meta and the Orinoco, on the Venezuelan border. A tourist fishing destination awaiting regulation.
Orós Reservoir
One of Ceará's largest reservoirs, on the Jaguaribe River. Peacock bass and pescada in lake fishing in the sertão.
Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
The "Mirror Forest": 2 million hectares of blackwater rivers and lakes between the Marañón and Ucayali. Sport fishing only where the master plan allows it.
Palena River — La Junta
Large, clear river coming from Argentina that crosses the Carretera Austral at La Junta. Trout from boats and on foot, with many tributaries.
Paraguay River — Bahía Negra
Paraguay's northernmost port, on the Paraguay River, facing the Pantanal. Surubí, pacu and golden dorado in bays, pools and cutbanks.
Paraguay River — Concepción
The main port of northern Paraguay on the Paraguay River. Surubim and dorado at the mouths of the Ypané, Aquidabán and Apa.
Paraguay River — Corumbá
Gateway to the southern Pantanal by the Paraguay River. Live-aboard boats; surubim, pacu and dorado catch and release.
Paraguay River — Cáceres
Upper Paraguay, with live-aboard boats and one of the country's biggest fishing festivals. Surubim, pacu and dorado.
Paraguay River — Forte Coimbra (Corumbá)
Lower Paraguay south of Corumbá, at the Forte Coimbra narrows. Surubim, jaú and pacu in the river, and blue peacock bass in the bays.
Paraguay River — Pilar
Capital of Ñeembucú, on the Paraguay River facing Argentina. Surubim, dorado and pacu with local guides and a traditional Holy Week tournament.
Paraguay River — Porto da Manga (Corumbá)
Crossing of the Estrada Parque Pantanal over the Paraguay River, in the Corumbá Pantanal. Pantanal inns and fishing for surubim, pacu and dorado.
Paraguay River — Porto Murtinho
Lower Pantanal on the Paraguay border. Wide river, big jaú and surubim on the cutbanks.
Paranaguá and Guaratuba Bays
Two large bays on the Paraná coast, with snook in mangroves and rocks and croaker in the channels.
Paranapanema River — Rosana
Where the Paranapanema meets the Paraná, on the border of SP, PR and MS. Dorado and surubim in the current.
Paranaíba River — Ipiaçu
The winding Paranaíba River, full of islands, on the border between Minas Gerais and Goiás, at the upper end of São Simão Lake. Fishing cabins, peacock bass, trahira and curimbatá.
Paranaíba River — Paranaíba (MS)
The Paranaíba on the border with Minas Gerais, in the far east of MS, with fishing lodges and inns. Blue peacock bass, piapara, dorado and surubim.
Paranoá Lake — Brasília
The lake in the middle of the capital. Peacock bass in late-afternoon fishing, with its own law and prohibited areas.
Paraná River — Aparecida do Taboado
Ilha Solteira reservoir lake at the meeting of the Paranaíba and Grande rivers, where the Paraná River begins. Blue peacock bass, piapara, dorado and surubim.
Paraná River — Ayolas (Yacyretá)
The Paraguayan city by the Yacyretá dam, on the Paraná. Dorado, surubim and pacu, with a tournament tradition and city amenities.
Paraná River — Foz do Iguaçu
The Paraná River below Itaipu, between the dam and the Três Fronteiras Landmark. Dorado, surubim, jaú and piapara in deep, fast water.
Paraná River — Goya
The town of the Fiesta Nacional del Surubí. Paraná with streams, islands and wetlands, and a big catch-and-release fishing contest.
Paraná River — Guaíra
Where Sete Quedas once stood, now the head of Itaipu Lake. Peacock bass and croaker, with the Ilha Grande archipelago upriver.
Paraná River — Ituzaingó
Large dorado on the Paraná below the Yacyretá dam, among islands, channels and rocky beds. A classic dorado spot in Corrientes.
Paraná River — Itá Ibaté
Village on the middle Paraná between Corrientes and Ituzaingó, with high cut banks and currents. Boga, pacu, dorado and surubim near the islands.
Paraná River — La Paz
High riverbanks on the middle Paraná, with dorado and surubim. Fishing base in northern Entre Ríos.
Paraná River — Panorama and Paulicéia
The Paraná River at the head of the Porto Primavera lake, on the border with Mato Grosso do Sul. A city with a fishing tradition, known for barbado, mandi and surubim.
Paraná River — Paso de la Patria
Traditional dorado village on the upper Paraná, host of the Fiesta Nacional de la Pesca del Dorado. Wide river, islands and current near the confluence with the Paraguay River.
Paraná River — Presidente Epitácio
Porto Primavera Lake, as wide as the sea. Surubim, jaú and piapara in the channel; croaker and peacock bass in the arms.
Paraná River — Três Lagoas (Jupiá)
Jupiá Lake and the current below the dam, with peacock bass in the arms and surubim and jaú in the river.
Paraty — bay and islands
Sheltered bay with dozens of islands, rocky shores and mangroves. Snook, grouper and olhete a few minutes from the historic town.
Paraíba River estuary — Cabedelo
Mangroves and channels between Cabedelo and Lucena. Tarpon rolling at the surface and snook in the mangrove roots.
Parismina — Parismina River mouth
Village with no road access at the Parismina bar, on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, at the southern edge of Tortuguero National Park: tarpon and snook at the bar, in the channels and at sea.
Parnaíba Delta and Barra Grande
The only delta on open sea in the Americas, with camurupim, snook and weakfish in mangroves, channels and beaches.
Parnaíba River — Floriano
The Parnaíba on the border with Maranhão, below the Boa Esperança dam. Bank and canoe fishing on Floriano's waterfront.
Parque Maeda — Itu
Leisure complex in Itu with three sport fishing areas in ponds, all catch and release, from the beginner pond to the Tancão of over 50,000 m².
Patos Lagoon — Rio Grande
Estuary of Brazil's largest lagoon, with croaker, mullet and flounder. The Molhes da Barra are a classic spot.
Pedasí — Iguana Island and Los Frailes
Southeast tip of the Azuero Peninsula, with departures to Iguana Island, Los Frailes and the deep waters of the Gulf of Panama: yellowfin tuna, roosterfish and snapper.
Pedra do Cavalo Lake — Cachoeira
Paraguaçu River reservoir next to Cachoeira and São Félix, which supplies Salvador. Peacock bass in the submerged timber and trahira in the coves.
Peixe Angical Lake — Peixe
Lake behind the Peixe Angical dam, in southern Tocantins. Blue and yellow peacock bass in the lake, and rapids with islands downriver.
Pesque Pague Gabardo — Montenegro
Fishery about 40 minutes from Porto Alegre, with a 66,000 m² lake and dorados over 18 kg already caught and released, according to the house.
Piauí and Real Rivers estuary — Indiaroba
Mangrove estuary on the Sergipe–Bahia border, facing the dunes of Mangue Seco. Snook in the channels and at the mouth.
Piraquê-Açu River — Santa Cruz (Aracruz)
Mangrove estuary of the Piraquê-Açu and Piraquê-Mirim rivers, in the village of Santa Cruz. Snook in the mangrove, and croaker, roncador and peroá at the river mouth heading to the sea.
Placencia — Stann Creek
A narrow peninsula in southern Belize, between a lagoon and the sea. Flats around the cayes to the east with permit, tarpon and snook; reef and deep water nearby.
Playa Flamingo — Guanacaste
Beach on northern Guanacaste with a sport fishing tradition since the 1980s, near the Islas Catalinas and the open northern Pacific.
Playas del Coco — Papagayo Gulf
Beach village on the Gulf of Papagayo, a departure point for coastal fishing for roosterfish and snapper and for deep water off Costa Rica's northern Pacific.
Port Antonio — Portland (West Harbour)
Port city in northeast Jamaica, home of the Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament. Trolling for blue marlin, mahi-mahi and wahoo.
Porto de Galinhas and southern Pernambuco coast
Reefs, natural pools and bottom fishing on Pernambuco's south coast, down to Tamandaré and the Costa dos Corais.
Porto Seguro and Santa Cruz Cabrália
Costa do Descobrimento, with reefs, rivers and bottom fishing. Cubera snapper (ciobas) and dentão outside the marine parks.
Poti and Parnaíba rivers — Teresina
Urban fishing at the confluence of the Poti and Parnaíba, in the capital of Piauí. Croaker (pescada-do-piauí) and trahira.
Preguiças River — Barreirinhas and Atins
The river that cuts through the Lençóis Maranhenses to the sea at Atins. Snook and camurupim (tarpon) in the estuary, among dunes and mangroves.
Promissão Reservoir — Borborema
The upper part of Promissão Lake, on the Tietê River, with more than 30 km of shoreline in Borborema. Croaker, tilapia and peacock bass, with fishing cabins and fishing guides.
Puerto López — Machalilla National Park
Fishing village at the gateway to Machalilla National Park and Isla de la Plata. Inshore bottom fishing and trolling, only outside protected zones.
Puerto Vallarta — Bahía de Banderas
Large Pacific bay between Jalisco and Nayarit. Sailfish, marlin and yellowfin tuna on the outer banks; roosterfish and mahi-mahi closer in.
Punta del Este — Isla Gorriti and Isla de Lobos
Rocks, jetties and beaches at the tip of the peninsula, with boat trips to Isla Gorriti and the Isla de Lobos shoal. Croaker, pescadilla (whiting) and burriqueta.
Punta Gorda — Port Honduras Marine Reserve
Belize's southernmost town, facing the Port Honduras Marine Reserve: mangrove cayes, rivers and lagoons with permit, tarpon and snook.
Quepos — Marina Pez Vela
Central Pacific marina in Costa Rica, base for an offshore fishing fleet targeting sailfish and marlin, next to Manuel Antonio National Park.
Recife — wrecks and Pernambuco coast
Wrecks and shoals close to shore, with cioba (cubera snapper), dentão, guaiúba (dog snapper) and olho-de-boi. Camurupim in the rivers.
Rio Grande — Tierra del Fuego
The river of the sea-run brown trout. Fish that can top 10 kg on the Fuegian steppe, release only.
Rio Negro — Barcelos
The capital of açu peacock bass. Blackwater, thousands of lakes and the country's best chance of catching a fish over 10 kg.
Rio Negro — Novo Airão
Blackwater three hours from Manaus, beside the Anavilhanas archipelago. Peacock bass in the lakes and igarapés outside the park.
Rio Negro — Santa Isabel do Rio Negro
Upper Rio Negro, blackwater and indigenous lands. Açu peacock bass in lakes and tributaries, only with an authorized operation.
Roatán and Guanaja — Bay Islands
Honduran islands at the southern tip of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, with bonefish and permit flats and blue-water fishing a few minutes away.
Rupununi and Rewa — Rewa Eco-Lodge
Arapaima (paiche) on fly, catch and release only, at a lodge built and run by the Rewa indigenous village.
Río Cinaruco — Santos Luzardo National Park
Black-water river of the Venezuelan Llanos, southern boundary of Santos Luzardo park, with three peacock bass species, including the royal peacock bass.
Río Cisnes — Puerto Cisnes and Villa Amengual
A 160 km river that crosses Aysén from east to west, from the open valleys at the border to the Puyuhuapi Channel. Trout in the plains and forest.
Río Dulce and Lake Izabal — Izabal
The river linking Lake Izabal to the Caribbean, with a canyon, El Golfete and mangroves. Tarpon and snook in brackish water, by launch.
Río Guaviare — San José del Guaviare
The Guaviare at San José, between the Llanos and the jungle: a river of big catfish and payara, with a fishing contest on the summer beaches.
Río Madre de Dios and Tambopata — Puerto Maldonado
At the confluence of the Tambopata and Madre de Dios, gateway to the southern Peruvian Amazon. Big catfish in the river and peacock bass in the creeks of the Tambopata Reserve.
Río Petrohué — Ralún and Ensenada
Large river linking Lago Todos los Santos with the Reloncaví estuary. Fished from rowboats, for trout and Chinook salmon.
Río Santa Cruz — Comandante Luis Piedra Buena
The great glacial river of southern Argentina, home to the steelhead that runs to sea. Bank fishing at Piedra Buena, next to Isla Pavón.
Salinas — Santa Elena
Westernmost point of mainland Ecuador, with deep water close to shore. Marlin, yellowfin tuna and dorado.
Salinópolis — Pará coast
The beaches of Belém, with big tides and muddy water. Pescada-amarela, snook and camurupim (tarpon) in the channels and igarapés.
Salvador and Bay of All Saints
Brazil's largest bay, with islands, shipwrecks and mangroves. Crevalle jack, king mackerel and snook minutes from downtown.
Samuel Lake — Candeias do Jamari
Lake behind the Samuel dam, on the Jamari River, near Porto Velho. Part of the lake lies within an ecological station, where fishing is not allowed.
San Juan de Nicaragua — Greytown
Isolated village in the Río San Juan delta on Nicaragua's Caribbean coast, between Indio Maíz Reserve and the sea: tarpon and snook in the channels, lagoons and bar.
San Juan del Sur — Rivas
Fishing bay on Nicaragua's South Pacific coast, a base for trolling for sailfish and mahi-mahi and for rock fishing for roosterfish and snapper.
San Juan River — El Castillo
Freshwater tarpon in the rapids of the San Juan River, between Lake Cocibolca and the Caribbean, next to the Indio Maíz Reserve.
San Juan — lagoons and Club Náutico
Tarpon in the middle of the city, in the San Juan lagoons, and blue marlin offshore just a few kilometers from the Club Náutico.
Santa Cruz Dam — Apodi
Large reservoir in western Rio Grande do Norte, opened in 2002, with a peacock bass fishing tournament authorized by the Ministry of Fisheries.
Santos and Guarujá
Estuary, channels and beaches an hour from São Paulo. Snook at structures, croaker on the bottom, betara and pompano on the beach.
Sepetiba Bay — Itacuruçá
Shallow bay with islands and reefs, sheltered by the Marambaia Spit, 85 km from Rio. Croaker, fat snook and cutlassfish, with boat trips from Itacuruçá.
Serra da Mesa Lake — Uruaçu
Huge lake on the upper Tocantins, with clear water and good-sized peacock bass. Base in Uruaçu.
Serrano River and Lago del Toro — Torres del Paine
The river that carries the waters of Lago del Toro to Última Esperanza fjord, in Torres del Paine. Trout and chinook, released within the park.
Simpson River and Mañihuales River — Coyhaique
The capital of fly fishing in Aysén. The Simpson runs alongside the city and the Mañihuales lies to the north, along the Carretera Austral.
Sobradinho Lake
One of the largest artificial lakes in the world by area, in the Bahia backlands. Peacock bass, croaker and tilapia in warm water.
South Andros — Deep Creek and West Side National Park
Creeks and flats of South Andros with access to West Side National Park, one of the largest marine parks in the western Atlantic. Large bonefish.
Sucunduri River — Borba
A river of rapids and falls in southern Amazonas, forming the Canumã. Pinima peacock bass of nearly 80 cm recorded as a record in 2024.
São Francisco mouth — Piaçabuçu
Where the Velho Chico meets the sea, between the dunes of Alagoas and Sergipe. Snook and tarpon in the estuary.
São Francisco River and Reservoir — Três Marias
Large lake and river below the dam. Dorado and surubim on the São Francisco, peacock bass and croaker in the lake.
São Francisco River — Ibotirama
Middle São Francisco in western Bahia, with islands, sandbars and nearly 300 marginal lagoons. Surubim at dusk, dorado and croaker.
São Francisco River — Januária
The São Francisco in northern Minas, with beaches and riverbank cliffs, near the Peruaçu caves. Dorado and surubim.
São Francisco River — Petrolina and Juazeiro
The Velho Chico (São Francisco River) between two cities, with islands and rapids below Sobradinho. Croaker and surubim in the irrigated backlands.
São Francisco River — Pirapora
São Francisco rapids in front of the town. Dorado and surubim in the tradition of the Velho Chico.
São Francisco River — Piumhi
The still-young São Francisco River, near the Serra da Canastra, with a municipal sport-fishing route. Piapara, piau, piranha and mandi.
São Marcos Bay — São Luís
Bay of giant tides, with weakfish, camurupim and snook in channels and mangroves.
São Mateus River (Cricaré) — Conceição da Barra
The mouth of the São Mateus River, the Cricaré, with mangroves and fishing beaches at the northern tip of Espírito Santo. Snook, weakfish, croaker and flounder.
São Simão Lake — Paranaíba River
Large Paranaíba reservoir on the border between Goiás and Minas. Peacock bass and corvina in the arms, piau and curimbatá on chum.
Sécure River — TIPNIS
Clear-water dorado at the foot of the Andes, on indigenous territory. Fly fishing, on foot, in a community-run operation with mandatory release.
Tampico — Pánuco River and Chairel Lagoon
The Pánuco mouth and the Tamesí lagoons, on the border between Tamaulipas and Veracruz. Snook in the river, tarpon passing through, and black bass in the lagoons.
Tapajós River — Alter do Chão
River beaches, green water and peacock bass in the lakes and igarapés of the lower Tapajós, near Santarém.
Tapajós River — Itaituba
Clear river with rock beds, home to peacock bass, trairão and payara. Base in Itaituba, on the Transamazon highway.
Taquari and Coxim Rivers — Coxim
Where the Taquari meets the Coxim, at the entrance to the Pantanal. Pacu, piraputanga and dorado, catch and release.
Taquari River — Bom Retiro do Sul
Navigable stretch of the Taquari next to the Bom Retiro do Sul dam and lock, with a ramp and marina. Surubim, jundiá, trahira and piava.
Taquari River — Pedro Gomes
Hill stretch of the Taquari, upstream of Coxim, with fishing lodges and inns. Pacu, piraputanga, dorado and catfish.
Tecolutla — Tecolutla River and river mouth
Beach village at the mouth of the Tecolutla River, in northern Veracruz. Snook in the river, in mangrove esteros and at the bar, with a fishing tournament in May.
Teles Pires River — Alta Floresta and Paranaíta
A rapids river famous for big payara and trairão. Good logistics from Alta Floresta.
The Marls — Great Abaco (Marsh Harbour)
A shallow maze of flats, mangroves and cays on the west side of Great Abaco. Wind-sheltered water with plenty of bonefish, fished from a skiff or on foot.
Tietê River — Barra Bonita
Tietê reservoir with a lock and a tourist waterfront, in the heart of the state. Croaker, peacock bass and tilapia on weekend fishing trips.
Tocantins and Itacaiúnas Rivers — Marabá
Where the Itacaiúnas meets the Tocantins, in southeastern Pará. Beaches in the dry season, and fishing for blue peacock bass, cachorra and pescada.
Tocantins River — Carolina
The Tocantins dammed by the Estreito hydroelectric plant, between plateaus and waterfalls. Blue peacock bass and cachorra in the lake.
Tocantins River — Imperatriz
The Tocantins at the border of Maranhão with Tocantins, with sandy beaches in the dry season. Peacock bass, pescada, cachorra and bicuda.
Torres — cliffs and Ilha dos Lobos
The only rocky shores on Rio Grande do Sul's coast, with jetties and Ilha dos Lobos offshore. Bluefish and sargo on the rocks.
Traful Lake and River — Villa Traful
Crystal-clear lake in Nahuel Huapi National Park, known for landlocked salmon. The Traful River, fly-only and catch-and-release, flows from it toward the Limay.
Tramandaí — northern coast of Rio Grande do Sul
Surfcasting beaches and the Tramandaí lagoon inlet. Bluefish, croaker and papa-terra close to Porto Alegre.
Trancura and Liucura Rivers — Pucón
Two mountain rivers east of Pucón that drain into Lake Villarrica. Trout from boats and on foot, plus Chinook from the Toltén basin.
Trombetas River — Oriximiná
Clear-water river in western Pará, with peacock bass lakes and rapids above the Cachoeira Porteira.
Tucuruí Lake
One of the largest hydroelectric lakes in the country, with more than a thousand islands. A reference for big blue peacock bass.
Turneffe Atoll
Coral atoll off Belize City, with isolated flats, lodges on the atoll itself and one of the country's most important marine reserves.
Uatumã River — São Sebastião do Uatumã
Lower Uatumã, downstream of Balbina, with the Uatumã RDS and community-based sport fishing. Açu and vazzoleri peacock bass.
Ubatuba — São Paulo's north coast
Dozens of beaches, islands and rocky shores between the mountains and the sea. Snook in the rivers and on rocky shores, olhete and bluefish around the islands.
Unini River — Barcelos
Blackwater tributary of the Rio Negro, isolated and rarely fished. Big açu peacock bass in lakes and along the banks.
Upper Limay River — Dina Huapi
The river that rises in Lake Nahuel Huapi, next to Bariloche. Blue water, strong current and large trout; fly fishing with release in the upper section.
Upper Paraná River — Porto Rico
The last free-flowing stretch of the Paraná River on Brazilian territory, with islands and várzeas (floodplains). Catfish and dorado, catch and release only.
Uruguai River — Itapiranga
The Uruguai River at the far west of Santa Catarina, on the border with Rio Grande do Sul. Dorado, piava, jundiá and pati in running water.
Uruguai River — Porto Xavier
Islands, rapids and small waterfalls on the Uruguai River at the Argentine border, in the Missões region. Dorado, surubim and piava.
Uruguay River — Barra do Quaraí and Uruguaiana
Triple border with Argentina and Uruguay, where the Quaraí meets the Uruguay River. Big dorado and surubim.
Uruguay River — Nuevo Berlín
Fishing village on the lower Uruguay River, among islands and wetlands (esteros). Home of the boga, next to Esteros de Farrapos National Park.
Uruguay River — Salto Grande (Salto)
Large dorado in the current below the Salto Grande dam. Stretch reserved for sport fishing down to the port of Salto.
Valle Verde Fishery — Mandirituba
Fishery about 50 km from Curitiba, with nine catch-and-release lakes, three for night fishing and five pay lakes. Host of the Paraná leg of the CBP.
Ventuari River — Venezuelan Amazon
Tributary of the upper Orinoco known for giant peacock bass. A remote destination in an area of Indigenous peoples.
Vicente Guerrero Dam — Las Adjuntas
Large Tamaulipas reservoir, northeast of Ciudad Victoria, with a bass rule designed to grow trophy fish. It was very low in 2024 and has refilled.
Vitória — blue marlin
Brazil's blue marlin capital. Summer season with big fish and long trips to blue water.
Volta Grande Reservoir — Miguelópolis
Lake on the Rio Grande at the border with Minas Gerais, with a small beach and summer homes in Miguelópolis. Blue and yellow peacock bass, caught by casting.
Xcalak — Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Xcalak
Village at the southern tip of Quintana Roo, almost on the Belize border. Flats of Chetumal Bay with bonefish, permit and tarpon, always catch and release.
Xeruini River — Caracaraí
Blackwater tributary of the lower Branco River, inside a state RDS. Açu peacock bass catch and release only, with a licensed operator.
Xingu and Iriri Rivers — Altamira
Xingu of rocky stretches and rapids, Belo Monte reservoir, and the Iriri heading toward the Terra do Meio. Trairão, cachorra and catfish.
Xingu River — São Félix do Xingu
Middle Xingu, with rock beds and rapids. Trairão, payara and peacock bass in clear water.
Xingó Canyon — Canindé de São Francisco
Lake set between rock walls in the lower São Francisco. Peacock bass, croaker and tilapia in green, clear water.
Yarinacocha Lagoon and Ucayali River — Pucallpa
Former arm of the Ucayali next to Pucallpa, with sport fishing, rental boats and Shipibo communities. Big catfish in the river and paiche under rules.
Água Boa do Univini River — Caracaraí
White-sand, clear-water river in southern Roraima, famous for fly fishing for peacock bass. Fishing only with a licensed company.
Água Vermelha Lake — Paulo de Faria
The upper part of Água Vermelha Lake, on the Rio Grande, upstream of Cardoso. Croaker, peacock bass and trahira from the bank and by boat.