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.
The Preguiças flows from Barreirinhas down to its mouth at Atins, passing between dunes, mangroves and villages such as Vassouras, Mandacaru and Caburé. It is the route of the speedboat trips to the Lençóis and also a good fishing estuary: snook and camurupim (tarpon) at the bends with mangrove and igarapé mouths, pescada-amarela in the channels and jack (xaréu) near the mouth. Fishing is done from voadeiras, with artificial lures along the mangrove edge and natural bait on the bottom. The best timing follows the tide, which runs strong all the way up to near Barreirinhas.
best season
Dry season, August to December. The Lençóis lagoons fill up more from June to September, but that does not change fishing in the river.
Local rules: The Preguiças mouth and the Atins beaches lie at the edge of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park: inside the park, which is strictly protected, fishing is not open and depends on the management plan and ICMBio authorization. Camurupim (tarpon) is a threatened species (Vulnerable): catch and release only. Tour boats use the river all day: take care when navigating. Check local rules.
- getting there
- About 250 km from São Luís on the BR-402. From Barreirinhas to Atins, by speedboat along the river or by 4x4.
- facilities
- Hotels, inns, travel agencies and boatmen in Barreirinhas. Inns and restaurants in Atins and Caburé.
- basin
- Western Northeast Atlantic
- coast
- North Coast
tip
Preguiças snook hide in mangrove roots: cast tight to the bank on the falling tide and retrieve slowly, with a mid-water lure or artificial shrimp.
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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
sources and references
Access, facilities and season information changes: check with the lodge, a local guide or the city hall before you travel.
- official ICMBio — Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses
- official Câmara dos Deputados — Lei nº 9.985/2000 (Sistema Nacional de Unidades de Conservação)Parks are strictly protected, indirect use only
- official Imprensa Nacional (DOU) — Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026 (lista nacional de peixes ameaçados)Camurupim (tarpon) as Vulnerable