all destinations RN · Apodi · reservoir

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.

forecast for here see on the map

The Santa Cruz Dam, in Apodi, was inaugurated in 2002 and forms one of the largest lakes in Rio Grande do Norte, with about 600 million m³. Sport fishing centers on peacock bass: the Z-48 fishers' colony and a local team run the Tucunapodi tournament, which reached its 2nd edition in November 2025 with official authorization from the Ministry of Fisheries and boat, kayak and bank categories. Tilapia, trahira and pescada do Piauí, common in the semi-arid açudes, complete the fishing, with artificial lures around rocks and submerged timber and natural bait on the bottom.

best season

JanFebSeaAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Dry spell, August to January, with the lake lower and peacock bass concentrated. Closed season in the RN basins Dec 1 to Feb 28 for curimatã, piau, sardinha and branquinha.

Local rules: Closed season in the RN basins Dec 1 to Feb 28 for curimatã, piau, sardinha and branquinha (IN Ibama 209/2008). Respect the dam's safety zones and do not touch professional fishers' nets. Check local rules.

getting there: In western Rio Grande do Norte, about 80 km from Mossoró via BR-405.
facilities: Simple hotels and inns in Apodi; fishers from the local colony know the lake.
basin: Eastern Northeast Atlantic

tip

Peacock bass hit topwater lures early in the morning at the rocky points and submerged timber; with the sun high, drop to mid-water.

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