all destinations MS · Porto Murtinho · pantanal

paraguay river — porto murtinho

Lower Pantanal on the Paraguay border. Wide river, big jaú and surubim on the cutbanks.

Porto Murtinho sits on the Paraguay River, near the exit of the Pantanal, on the border with Paraguay. The river is wide, deep and has steady current. It is a region of big jaú and surubim in the pools and cutbanks, pacu on the banks and dorado in the current and at the mouths of tributaries such as the Apa and Nabileque. Barbado and armado round it out. Live-aboard boats and fishing hotels are the main infrastructure. Bottom fishing with live bait and heavy tackle for jaú.

best season

JanFebSeaAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Season from March to October, with a peak from August to October.

Local rules: In MS, catching and transporting dorado are banned (Law 5.321/2019, extended, with validity planned until March 2027): catch and release only. Spawning closure (piracema) in state rivers from Nov 5 to the end of February. Border with Paraguay: stay in Brazilian waters. Check local rules.

getting there: About 440 km from Campo Grande via the BR-060 and BR-267. Regional airstrip in town.
facilities: Fishing hotels, live-aboard boats, fishing guides and bait in town.
basin: Paraguay (Pantanal)

tip

For jaú, a big bait, live or cut fish, in a deep pool, with a heavy sinker and 80 lb line.

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

PimelodidaeVU

Spotted sorubim

Pseudoplatystoma corruscans

The great leather catfish of the Pantanal, the Paraná and the São Francisco. Nocturnal, heavy and with long runs. Vulnerable on the national list.

Freshwater

time of yearbest: Aug–Oct

Pimelodidae

Cachara

Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum

The striped sorubim of the Pantanal. Smaller than the pintado, more common along the shore and much sought in night drifting with tuvira.

Freshwater

time of yearbest: May and Aug–Oct

Serrasalmidae

Pacu

Piaractus mesopotamicus

The fruit eater of the Pantanal. Caught by batida (tapping the water with the rod), under the trees, or with crab. Pulls hard and dives into submerged timber.

Freshwater

time of yearbest: Mar–Apr and Oct–Nov

Bryconidae

Golden dorado

Salminus brasiliensis

The king of the river. A rapids predator that strikes violently and leaps out of the water several times. In MS, MT and PR it may only be fished for catch and release.

Freshwater

time of yearbest: Aug–Oct