all destinations RN · São Rafael · reservoir

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.

forecast for here see on the map

The Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves dam impounds the Piranhas-Açu River and forms Rio Grande do Norte's largest reservoir, between Assu, Itajá, São Rafael and Jucurutu. The old town of São Rafael was submerged and rebuilt on the shore. Fishing is sertão lake fishing: peacock bass at the points and rocks, pescada-do-piauí in the channels, tilapia and trahira in the shallow coves. Many communities depend on artisanal fishing on the lake.

best season

JanFebSeaAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Second half of the year and early in the year, in the dry season. The reservoir level depends on the rainy years.

Local rules: Rio Grande do Norte basins closed season from Dec 1 to Feb 28 for curimatã, piau, sardinha and branquinha (IN Ibama 209/2008). Heavy artisanal fishing on the lake: watch out for gillnets and do not damage them. Respect the dam's safety areas. Check local rules.

getting there: About 200 km from Natal on the BR-304 to Assu. Natal has the nearest airport with regular flights.
facilities: Inns and restaurants in Assu and São Rafael, local boatmen and fishermen.
basin: Eastern Northeast Atlantic

tip

Pescada-do-piauí move in schools in the middle of the lake: find the school on the sounder and use a jig or bottom bait with shrimp.

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

Cichlidae

One-spot peacock bass

Cichla monoculus

The peacock bass of the Amazon's várzea lakes, common in muddy water and a staple on riverside tables.

Freshwater

time of yearbest: Aug–Nov

Sciaenidae

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.

Freshwater

time of yearbest: Sep–Dec

Cichlidae

Nile tilapia

Oreochromis niloticus

Exotic African fish, found in almost every small farm pond and reservoir in Brazil. Easy, fun fishing on light tackle. Never release it into a river or lake.

Freshwaternon-native

time of yearbest: Oct–Apr