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all destinations GO · São Miguel do Araguaia · river

araguaia river — luiz alves (são miguel do araguaia)

Classic Araguaia: white beaches, campsites and lakes with peacock bass. Pirarara and arapaima complete the fishing.

forecast for here see on the map

Luiz Alves is the most sought-after port on the Goiás Araguaia. In low water the river drops and opens huge beaches, where camps are set up. Fishing is split: in the main channel, pirarara, barbado and payara in the pools and cutbanks; in the side lakes, blue and yellow peacock bass and arapaima. Bicuda and croaker round it out. Casting in the lakes and bottom fishing with natural bait in the river. In July it's busy; from August to September there are fewer people and lower water.

best season

JanFebSeaAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Beach season, June to September. July is the busiest month. Spawning closure (piracema) Nov 1 to Feb 28.

Local rules: Goiás has Zero Quota (IN Semad 17/2026): native fish may not be transported; consumption only on site, up to 5 kg per angler, respecting the sizes. Exotic and hybrid fish may be taken home with a license. Spawning closure (piracema) Nov 1 to Feb 28. Arapaima has its own rules. Check local rules.

getting there: From Goiânia, about 500 km to São Miguel do Araguaia on the GO-070 and GO-164, and another 40 km to Luiz Alves. Regional airport in São Miguel.
facilities: Inns, farm hotels, live-aboard boats and structured camps, guides, marinas and voadeira rentals.
basin: Tocantins-Araguaia

tip

On the lakes, go early and by paddle. Araguaia peacock bass see well in clear water: a thin fluorocarbon leader helps.

next 7 days here

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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.

what you can catch here

Illustration of Blue peacock bass

Blue peacock bass

Five-bar peacock bass from the Tocantins-Araguaia, strong and aggressive, now spread across large reservoirs in the Southeast and Center-West.

time of yearbest: Aug–Nov

Illustration of Yellow pavon

Yellow pavon

Brazil's most fished peacock bass. Native to the Araguaia-Tocantins and spread across reservoirs and dams in almost the whole country.

time of yearbest: Sep–Dec

Illustration of Redtail catfish

Redtail catfish

Phractocephalus hemioliopterus

A strong, unmistakable catfish with a red tail and yellow band. Heavy fighter, sought after in rivers and pay lakes.

time of yearbest: Jul–Oct

Illustration of Arapaima

Arapaima

One of the largest scaled freshwater fish in the world. It breathes air and can only be fished in managed areas across most of the Amazon.

time of yearbest: Aug–Nov

Illustration of Payara

Payara

Hydrolycus armatus

Rapids predator with huge fangs on its lower jaw. High leaps and strong runs in the current.

time of yearbest: Jul–Oct

Illustration of Bicuda

Bicuda

Boulengerella cuvieri

Long-snouted, fast and leaping fish that chases fast lures in clear water.

time of yearbest: Jul–Oct

Illustration of South American silver croaker

South American silver croaker

Plagioscion squamosissimus

Freshwater croaker from the Amazon and Parnaíba, now common in reservoirs of the Paraná and the Northeast. Bites well in the afternoon and at night.

time of yearbest: Sep–Dec

Illustration of Flatwhiskered catfish

Flatwhiskered catfish

Pinirampus pirinampu

Silver catfish with ribbon-like barbels. Common in night bottom fishing in the Pantanal and Paraná. A fighter and good eating.

time of yearbest: Aug–Oct

sources and references

Access, facilities and season information changes: check with the lodge, a local guide or the city hall before you travel.

official Casa Civil de Goiás — Instrução Normativa Semad nº 17/2026 (defeso e cota zero de transporte)
official ICMBio — APA dos Meandros do Rio AraguaiaBase in Luiz Alves, São Miguel do Araguaia
official Ibama — Defesos continentaisAraguaia spawning closure and arapaima closed season (IN MMA 24/2005)

near here

Araguaia River — Bandeirantes (Nova Crixás)

Araguaia River — Cocalinho

Araguaia River — São Félix do Araguaia

Araguaia River — Aruanã