all destinations DF · Brasília · reservoir

paranoá lake — brasília

The lake in the middle of the capital. Peacock bass in late-afternoon fishing, with its own law and prohibited areas.

Paranoá is the artificial lake that wraps around central Brasília, ringed by clubs, parks and neighborhoods. Peacock bass, introduced decades ago, is the target of sport fishing, with catch-and-release tournaments; tilapia, trahira and carp show up in bank and chum fishing. It is fished from kayaks, boats and public shores. The lake has its own law, which separates fishing modalities and bans fishing at several points, and arapaima, an invasive species in the lake, may not be fished until the studies are complete.

best season

JanFebSeaAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Warm months, September to March, with peacock bass most active. Lake Paranoá is outside the Paraná basin piracema.

Local rules: Fishing regulated by Lei distrital 7.399/2024 and by the 2026 decree: in sport fishing, catch and release; fishing is prohibited near the dam, the Palácio da Alvorada, embassies, hospitals, military areas, water intake points, boat entrances, creek mouths and bathing and water sports areas. Arapaima: fishing prohibited in the lake until the studies are complete. Check local rules with the DF government.

getting there: Inside Brasília, with access from the shores of Lago Sul, Lago Norte and Plano Piloto. Brasília airport.
facilities: Marinas, clubs, boat ramps, tackle shops and guides in town.
basin: Paraná

tip

In the heat, Paranoá peacock bass hunt in the first and last hours of light, near rocks and submerged structures.

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

Yellow pavon

Cichla kelberi

Brazil's most fished peacock bass. Native to the Araguaia-Tocantins and spread across reservoirs and dams in almost the whole country.

Freshwater

time of yearbest: Sep–Dec

Cichlidae

Blue peacock bass

Cichla piquiti

Five-bar peacock bass from the Tocantins-Araguaia, strong and aggressive, now spread across large reservoirs in the Southeast and Center-West.

Freshwater

time of yearbest: Aug–Nov

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

Erythrinidae

Trahira

Hoplias malabaricus

The predator of lagoons and small farm ponds, found in almost all of Brazil. Explosive strike at the surface frog among the water hyacinth.

Freshwater

time of yearbest: Oct–Mar

Cyprinidae

Common carp

Cyprinus carpio

Exotic Eurasian fish, common in reservoirs, small farm ponds and fishing lakes in the South and Southeast. Fights hard and requires patience. Don't release it into a river.

Freshwaternon-native

time of yearbest: Oct–Mar