são francisco river — pirapora
São Francisco rapids in front of the town. Dorado and surubim in the tradition of the Velho Chico.
In Pirapora, the São Francisco runs through rapids and rocky beds right in front of the town. It's a classic spot for dorado and surubim, with fishing from an anchored boat in the current and from the bank. Downriver the river becomes navigable and slow, with pools and beaches. Mandi and other leather catfish take bottom bait. Casting with mid-water and spoon for dorado, and live bait on the bottom for surubim. In low water the water clears and dorado is more active.
best season
Low water, May to September. Clear water and dorado more active in the rapids.
Local rules: Spawning closure (piracema) in the São Francisco basin Nov 1 to Feb 28: native species banned; exotic and hybrid species with reduced bag limit. Outside the closure, a 5 kg bag limit plus one fish (Portaria Ibama 50/2007). Check local rules.
- getting there
- About 340 km from Belo Horizonte. Regional airport in Pirapora and scheduled flights to Montes Claros.
- facilities
- Hotels, inns, fishing guides and local guides.
- basin
- São Francisco
tip
Anchor above the rapids and work the bait along the foam line. Dorado sits at the edge of the current break.
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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 Ibama — Defesos continentaisSão Francisco spawning closure (Portaria Ibama 50/2007)
- official Agência Minas — Piracema começa em Minas e restrições à pesca entram em vigor neste sábado (1/11)Spawning closure news, 2025/26
- official Governo de MG — Obter licenças para pesca amadora