madeira river — porto velho
The river of the big migratory catfish. Dourada, piraíba and pirarara in the strong channel of the Madeira, next to the capital.
The Madeira is one of the highest-volume rivers in the world and the migration route of dourada and piraíba, which swim upriver in schools. In Porto Velho, fishing is bottom fishing, heavy, in the channel and eddies, with whole or cut fish bait: dourada, piraíba, pirarara, jaú, surubim and caparari. Pescada and barbado show up along the edges. The Santo Antônio dam, next to the city, and the Jirau dam, upriver, have changed the current and the fishing spots. The water is muddy and the current is strong all year.
best season
Dry season, July to October, when the Madeira drops and catfish move up and down the channel. Closed season for Madeira species from Nov 15 to Mar 15.
Local rules: Closed season from Nov 15 to Mar 15 on the Madeira for pescada, surubim, caparari, pirapitinga and jatuarana (Portaria Ibama 48/2007); line-and-hook recreational anglers have an exception, with a bag limit of 5 kg plus 1 fish. Fishing is prohibited in the dam safety areas. Strong current, logs and whirlpools: only with an experienced pilot and a life vest. Tambaqui: capture prohibited from Oct 25, 2026 (threatened species). Check local rules with Sedam.
- getting there
- Porto Velho airport, with flights to several state capitals. The river runs through the city.
- facilities
- Hotels, tackle shops, marinas and boatmen in the capital. Riverside communities downriver host anglers.
- basin
- Amazon
tip
In the Madeira's current, use a 150 g sinker or heavier and thick line. Fish the eddies behind rocky stretches and banks, where catfish rest.
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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 continentaisAmazon basin closed season in Rondônia
- official Sedam — Secretaria de Estado do Desenvolvimento Ambiental de Rondônia
- official Imprensa Nacional (DOU) — Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.666, de 27 de abril de 2026Protection of threatened species, such as tambaqui