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.
Concepción sits on the east bank of the Paraguay River, halfway between Asunción and the Pantanal. The river is wide, with islands, bluffs and tributary mouths: the Ypané, the Aquidabán and, farther north, the Apa, which forms the border with Brazil. Fishers usually base themselves in the districts of Itacuá and San Lázaro, the latter at the confluence of the Apa and the Paraguay. Surubim (pintado and cachara) is the most sought-after fish and comes out in the deep pools and river mouths, on natural bait. Dorado strikes in the currents and at island points, and pacu in the backwaters. Manguruyú (jaú) and boga complete the list. Fishing is from a boat or from the bank, often with camping on the riverbank.
best season
From falling water through the dry season, April to October, when the river drops and fish gather at tributary mouths and in the pools. Closed season from November.
Local rules: A MADES sport fishing license is required (there is an office in Concepción). The annual closed season also applies to sport fishing: in 2025–2026, on the Paraguay River between the Apa and the Pilcomayo, it ran from Nov 2 to Dec 20, and upstream of the Apa, in waters shared with Brazil, until Jan 31 (MADES Resolution 523/2025). Fish caught in sport fishing cannot be sold. In Brazilian waters, Brazilian licenses and Mato Grosso do Sul rules apply. Confirm the local rules.
- getting there
- By road from Asunción or Pedro Juan Caballero, on the border with Ponta Porã (MS). The bridge over the Paraguay River links the town with the Chaco. Many estancias give access to the rivers via internal roads.
- facilities
- Hotels in town; in the riverside districts, simple lodging and camping areas on the bank. Boatmen and local guides.
- country
- Concepción, Paraguay
tip
For surubim, fish the mouth of the tributaries at dusk, with live natural bait and a sinker that holds on the bottom. Book your boat well ahead in the dry season, the most popular time.
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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
before you fish in Paraguay
The sport fishing license is issued by MADES, at the Asunción headquarters, at the regional offices (Pilar, Ayolas, Ciudad del Este, Encarnación, Coronel Oviedo and Concepción) or online through the SIAM portal. It requires a 3x4 photo and a copy of the document. Values released by MADES in April 2025: sport fishing G. 215,254; occasional sport fishing for nationals G. 107,627 (4 days); sport fishing for foreigners G. 322,881 (4 days). A sport fishing boat has its own registration. Valid for anyone who fishes, with or without a boat.
- Annual closed season set by MADES resolution, which also applies to sport fishing and prohibits the transport and sale of fish. In the 2025–2026 season (Resolution 523/2025): from November 2 to December 20, 2025 in waters shared with Argentina and in the other rivers; until January 31, 2026 in the Paraguay River upstream of the Apa River, in the Apa and in the Paraná upstream of the Yguazú River (waters shared with Brazil). During the closed season, selling and transporting live bait is also prohibited.
- Fish from sport and tourist fishing may not be sold (Law 3,556/2008, art. 18, cited in SEAM Resolution 650/2013).
- Foreign sport anglers need to register in the National Register of Fishers. SEAM Resolution 650/2013 limits transport as a trophy to up to 2 specimens of mixed species and 1 surubí or dorado, or up to 3 specimens of carimbatá, boga, pacu or patí. Confirm with MADES whether the limit remains the same.
- Monofilament nets are banned throughout the country (manufacture, possession, use, transport and sale), by MADES resolution.
The rules and closed seasons in the rest of the app are Brazilian. Outside Brazil, the regulations of the country and province apply: confirm with the official agency.
sources and references
Access, facilities and season information changes: check with the lodge, a local guide or the city hall before you travel.
- official MADES — MADES establece periodo de veda pesquera 2025–2026 (Resolución 523/2025)
- official MADES — Licencias de pesca (tipos, requisitos y oficinas regionales, 2025)Lists the Concepción regional office
- press ABC Color — Concepción: los mejores sitios para pescar en sus ríos (2023)Itacuá, San Lázaro, Ypané and Aquidabán