iwokrama — essequibo river (kurupukari)
A 371,000-hectare protected forest in the heart of Guyana, with Essequibo rapids, big catfish and peacock bass in a seasonal fishing package.
Iwokrama protects 371,000 hectares of forest in central Guyana, on the bank of the Essequibo River, and Iwokrama River Lodge sits by the Kurupukari crossing. The lodge's fishing package goes upriver through the Kurupukari rapids, the Accouri and Marataitai falls and Gold Falls to Koratoka, and back down to Turtle Pond and the lagoons downstream. The targets are big catfish such as jaú, piraíba (lau lau) and redtail catfish (pirarara), plus peacock bass (Cichla ocellaris), wolf fish, arowana, silver drum and piranha. Fishing is by boat with a guide: casting at rocks and banks, and bait on the bottom in pools below the falls.
best season
The fishing package at Iwokrama River Lodge is seasonal and runs from September to April, during the interior dry season.
Local rules: The Iwokrama forest is a protected, controlled-use area: fishing and hunting on your own are not allowed, and fishing is done only on the lodge's guided packages, which include the forest use fee and require a minimum of 8 anglers and a liability waiver. If you hook an arapaima, release it: the species is protected aquatic wildlife and catching it requires a license (Fisheries (Aquatic Wild Life Control) Regulations, 1966). The hospital is far away: bring travel insurance. Check local rules.
- getting there
- By road, at least 8 hours from Georgetown, 274 km north; Lethem is 160 km south. By air, a flight to Annai or Surama and 2 hours by car, or a charter flight to the Fair View airstrip, 2 km from the lodge.
- facilities
- Iwokrama lodge and research centre, with cabins, meals and guides. The fishing package includes a riverside camp, a boatman and a guide; the angler brings their own gear.
- country
- Potaro-Siparuni (Região 8), Guyana
tip
Bring two outfits: a heavy one with thick braided line for the catfish in the rapids, and a medium one for peacock bass and wolf fish. Wear a life jacket on the rapids.
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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 Guyana
We did not confirm a national sport fishing license for tourists in inland waters. In Rupununi, fishing is done through community lodges, which follow the rules of the communities and the Ministry of Agriculture. Confirm with the Fisheries Department before traveling.
- Arapaima (pirarucu): in North Rupununi, the NRDDB community management plan applies, with a local ban on arapaima fishing. Sport fishing is catch and release only, at the community lodges.
- The national catch-and-release regulation for arapaima was drafted in 2016; in 2017 the government reported there was still no specific license for this fishing. Confirm whether it has been adopted.
- In protected areas (Kanuku Mountains, Iwokrama, Kaieteur and others), follow the rules of the Protected Areas Commission or of Iwokrama.
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 Iwokrama International Centre — AboutCentre created in 1996 by the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth (Iwokrama Act); 371,000 hectares; River Lodge at Kurupukari
- market Iwokrama River Lodge — Essequibo Rapids Cat Run: Fishing Package (PDF, 2023)Seasonal package September to April; fishing spots; species; minimum of 8 anglers; forest use fee included; own gear; insurance and liability waiver
- market Iwokrama River Lodge — FAQLocation by the Kurupukari crossing; access by road and by the Annai, Surama and Fair View airstrips; protected area, no fishing or hunting on your own; distance to hospital
- official FAOLEX — Fisheries (Aquatic Wild Life Control) Regulations, 1966 (Reg. 3/1966, Cap. 71:08, Laws of Guyana)Arapaima on the list of controlled aquatic wildlife: catch only with a license from a fishery officer; injuring or harassing is an offense; accidental catch must be reported