all destinations GO · São Simão · reservoir

são simão lake — paranaíba river

Large Paranaíba reservoir on the border between Goiás and Minas. Peacock bass and corvina in the arms, piau and curimbatá on chum.

forecast for here see on the map

The São Simão hydroelectric reservoir fills the Paranaíba River valley between Goiás and Minas Gerais, with long arms reaching into the tributaries. Sport fishing is for peacock bass at points, submerged timber and rocks, and for corvina (pescada-do-piauí) in the channels. Chum fishing takes piau, curimbatá and mandi; tilapia in numbers along the shore. The town of São Simão sits on the Goiás bank, with a waterfront and boat ramps. It is a wide lake: the wind raises waves in the afternoon.

best season

JanFebSeaAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Autumn and early spring. During the piracema (Nov 1 to Feb 28), in reservoirs, only non-native species, such as peacock bass, corvina and tilapia.

Local rules: Border lake: the Minas bank follows Minas rules. In Goiás, zero transport quota for 4 years from May 28, 2026 (IN Semad 17/2026): natives for consumption on site only, up to 5 kg; exotics and hybrids may be taken with a license. Paraná basin piracema from Nov 1 to Feb 28. Hydroelectric safety zones prohibited. Check local rules.

getting there: Via BR-364, on the border between Goiás and Minas Gerais. The nearest airports with regular flights are in Rio Verde (GO) and Uberlândia (MG).
facilities: Hotels, inns, fishing lodges, marinas, boat ramps and guides.
basin: Paraná

tip

Reservoir peacock bass follow lambari schools: look for birds diving and attack with a mid-water lure.

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

Sciaenidae

South American silver croaker

Plagioscion squamosissimus

Freshwater croaker from the Amazon and Parnaíba, now common in reservoirs of the Paraná and the Northeast. Bites well in the afternoon and at night.

Freshwater

time of yearbest: Sep–Dec

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

Anostomidae

Threespot leporinus

Leporinus friderici

Small, scrappy piau, found in nearly every river in Brazil. A fish for bank fishing, chum and bamboo rods.

Freshwater

time of yearbest: Mar–Apr and Oct

Prochilodontidae

Streaked prochilod

Prochilodus lineatus

The fish of the piracema. Forms huge schools, leaps up waterfalls and feeds golden dorado and pintado. Hard to hook.

Freshwater

time of yearbest: Oct–Nov

Pimelodidae

Mandi-amarelo

Pimelodus maculatus

The yellow, spotted catfish of the Paraná, Pantanal and São Francisco cutbanks. Easy to catch, but its sting hurts.

Freshwater

time of yearbest: Mar and Oct–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