foz do areia lake — bituruna
Lake behind the Foz do Areia dam on the middle Iguaçu, with sport fishing for dorado and an annual championship in Bituruna.
The Foz do Areia dam, in Pinhão, impounds the middle Iguaçu and forms a long lake between hills that laps the shore of Bituruna, in southern Paraná. The state Tourism Secretariat cites sport fishing for dorado in the lake and an annual championship, usually in the second half of the year. Dorado is not native to the Iguaçu, a river with its own fauna and many endemic species, including the Iguaçu surubim, now threatened. Besides dorado, anglers catch trahira, jundiá and cará in the coves and along the banks. The Volta Grande Leisure Area in the municipality has space for sport fishing and water sports.
best season
Autumn and early spring, outside the spawning closure (piracema), which closes fishing in the Iguaçu River from Nov 1 to Feb 28. The dorado championship is usually held in the second half of the year.
Local rules: Spawning closure (piracema) in the Paraná basin, Nov 1 to Feb 28: IN Ibama 25/2009 includes the Iguaçu River among the stretches closed to fishing in the period and bans fishing within 1,500 m of dams. On the Paraná, dorado may only be fished catch and release (state law 19.789/2018). The Iguaçu surubins of the genus Steindachneridion are on the national list of threatened species, with fishing banned (Portaria GM/MMA 1.667/2026): if you hook one, release it immediately. Check local rules.
- getting there
- Bituruna is about 320 km from Curitiba, via highways BR-277, PR-170 and PR-153; the nearest airport is in Pato Branco, about 240 km away.
- facilities
- Volta Grande Leisure Area with space for fishing, a food area and water sports; lodging in town; sport fishing guides with boats on the lake.
- basin
- Paraná
tip
Reservoir dorado hunts at the points and at the mouth of the arms where tributary water enters: mid-water and surface lures early in the morning.
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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 Viaje Paraná (Secretaria de Turismo do Paraná) — BiturunaSport fishing for dorado at Foz do Areia Lake, annual championship, Volta Grande Leisure Area and access
- official Ibama — Defesos continentaisSpawning closure (piracema) in the Paraná basin (IN Ibama 25/2009), with the Iguaçu River among the closed stretches
- official Casa Civil do Paraná — Lei estadual nº 19.789/2018 (proibição da captura do dourado)Dorado banned in Paraná for eight years, except catch and release
- official Imprensa Nacional (DOU) — Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026 (lista nacional de peixes ameaçados)Surubins of the genus Steindachneridion, including the Iguaçu one