catalog Bryconidae · predator

golden dorado

Salminus brasiliensis

Freshwater

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.

Also called: dourado, rei-do-rio, piraju, dourado-do-pantanal

forecast for golden dorado where found

Scientific illustration of Golden dorado

common size: 50–80 cm
maximum: 100 cm
common weight: 3–10 kg
record/max.: 31.0 kg
depth: 0.5–6 m
ideal water: 22–28 °C

overview

who is the golden dorado

The largest predatory characin in the Plata basin. It lives in fast-flowing rivers and hunts lambaris, piaus, tuviras and curimbatás at the outflow of rocks and in corixo mouths. It is a migrant: during the piracema (spawning closure) it travels tens to hundreds of kilometers upstream to spawn, which is why it disappears from dammed rivers without passage. It fights like few freshwater fish: it strips line, jumps and shakes its head to spit out the lure. Its mouth is hard and full of teeth, so many fish are lost on the hookset. Stocks have declined in several rivers and fishing is now banned in MS, MT and PR. In practice, in the Center-South, the golden dorado has become a catch-and-release fish. Handle it well and release it quickly.

fun facts

Leaping out of the water and head shakes to throw the lure are the species' trademark.
Migrates long distances during the piracema (spawning closure); rivers dammed without fish ladders lose their golden dorado.
In MS the moratorium began in 2019 and has already been extended twice.

how to recognize it

identification

Tall, strong body, orange-gold, with dark specks on the scales forming lines along the flank. Reddish fins and a black band in the middle of the tail. Large head and wide mouth with conical teeth. The tabarana is smaller, more silvery and slimmer. The São Francisco golden dorado is almost identical but only exists in that basin. The piraputanga has a small mouth and silver body.

how golden dorado fishing looks

Loading the next 7 days…

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.

distribution

where found

open on the large map

Pantanal (Paraguay, Cuiabá, São Lourenço, Miranda, Aquidauana, Taquari and Negro rivers), upper Paraná and tributaries (Paraná, Grande, Paranaíba, Paranapanema, Ivaí, Ivinhema), Uruguay River and the Jacuí system. Introduced in the Iguazu and in coastal basins of Paraná and São Paulo.

Habitat: Rapids, rocky stretches, corixo and bay outlets, backwaters behind rocks and island heads. Prefers running, oxygenated, cleaner water.

native to the basins

Paraguay (Pantanal)ParanáUruguaySouth Atlantic

introduced in

Southeast Atlantic

states

Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Paraná, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Goiás, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina

famous destinations

Paraguay River — Corumbá Miranda River — Passo do Lontra Aquidauana River — Aquidauana Cuiabá River — Porto Jofre Paraguay River — Cáceres Cuiabá River — Barão de Melgaço Paraguay River — Porto Murtinho Itaipu Lake — Santa Helena

calendar and clock

when to fish

best season

time of yearbest: Aug–Oct

JanFebSeaAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

In the Pantanal and Paraná, falling water and dry season (May to October) leave the water clear and fish on the rapids. September and October, as the water warms, are the peak. During high water, muddy water gets in the way.

best time of day

Daytime, with peaks at dawn and dusk. Hunts by day, peaking at dawn and late afternoon. In very clear water it does better with low sun. At night activity drops sharply.

weather, water and behavior

what affects the golden dorado
sensitivity The little bars show how much each factor affects this species. Five full: it feels it a lot.

cold and cold fronts

Cold snaps (friagem) in June and July shut down activity for 2 to 3 days. It returns to strike when the water warms.

atmospheric pressure

Stable pressure is ideal. Before a cold front there is usually a short window of strikes.

moon

Small effect. On full-moon nights, early-morning activity tends to be better.

rain

Heavy rain muddies the river and shuts down fishing for a few days.

water level

A falling, clearing river is the best scenario. A repiquete with muddy water scatters the fish.

noise

Don't park the boat right on top of the rapids. Approach from below and cast from a distance.

wind

Wind matters little in running water; it makes precise casting around rocks harder.

depth

Shallow in the rapids (0.5 to 2 m) to hunt; drops to the pool below the rock in strong sun.

technique, gear and bait

how to fish

Mid-water casting Surface casting Drift fishing Trolling Fly fishing

rod: 5'6" to 6'6", fast action, 15 to 30 lb
spinning / baitcasting reel: low-profile baitcasting reel 100 to 200 or spinning reel 3000 to 4000
line: braid 30 to 50 lb
leader: fluorocarbon 50 to 60 lb or coated wire leader 30 to 45 lb, 30 to 40 cm
hook: reinforced treble hooks 1/0 to 3/0; with natural bait, 4/0 to 6/0 hook with wire trace; barbless preferred

lures

minnow-type mid-water lure 9 to 12 cm
spoon 15 to 25 g
hair jig 1/4 to 1/2 oz
prop bait or surface stickbait in shallow water

natural baits

tuvira
lambari
muçum

accessories

long-nose pliers
boga-grip
luva
polarized glasses

tip from an angler

Cast above the rapids and let the lure drift down with the current. The strike comes at the exit of the rock. Keep the line tight through the jump.

ready-made kit

golden dorado in rapids

Boat fishing, anchored or drifting, in rivers with rapids and rock in the Paraná, Paraguay, Uruguay and São Francisco basins, with artificial lures and natural bait.

ready-made kit

fly for peacock bass and golden dorado

Fly fishing in rivers and lakes of the Amazon and the Pantanal, from a boat or wading in shallow water.

guide

baitcasting reel: setting up and casting without backlash

How the brakes work, how to set spool tension, how to use your thumb, and what to do when backlash appears.

guide

fly fishing in brazil: first steps

How to choose gear by its number, rig the backing, line, leader and tippet, make a basic cast, and which flies to use for peacock bass, golden dorado and snook.

guide

how to read the river

Where fish are in each type of water, from rapids and swirls to bay mouths and corixo channels, and how river level changes everything.

what the law says

rules for the golden dorado

Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Threatened on state lists (RS). Stocks declining from dams and fishing led to moratoriums in MS, MT and PR.

MS: fishing banned until Mar 31, 2027

catch and release onlyMS

Catching, onboard possession, transporting, trading, processing and industrial use of golden dorado are banned in MS. Exceptions: catch and release, own consumption by professionals and riverine people, and farmed fish. The 2019 moratorium was extended in 2024 and again in 2025. Studies must be submitted by Feb 2027 to decide on a further extension.

Source: Lei estadual MS nº 5.321/2019, extended by Lei nº 6.190/2024 and by Lei nº 6.390/2025 (Alems/Imasul)

MT: fishing banned

catch, trade and transport prohibitedMT

Since 2012, Mato Grosso's fishing law bans catching, selling and transporting golden dorado. Catch and release only.

Source: Lei estadual MT nº 9.096/2009, art. 17-A (added by Lei nº 9.794/2012) - Sema-MT

No transport allowed in MT: golden dorado is on the banned list

transport, storage and trade banned until Dec 31, 2028MT

Art. 19-B bans for 5 years (since Jan 1, 2024) transporting, storing and trading golden dorado caught in rivers of MT. Recreational anglers may only keep up to 2 kg or 1 fish for consumption on site (within 500 m of the river), and art. 19-C excludes the species from art. 19-B: in practice, for this species, catch and release only. The law provides for an evaluation after 3 years (2027) that may revise the list. List checked in the consolidated text published by Sema-MT on May 29, 2026; Law 13.159/2025 did not change the list.

Source: Lei estadual MT nº 9.096/2009, arts. 19-B and 19-C (added by Lei nº 12.434/2024) - Sema-MT

PR: catch and release only

possession, keeping and transport bannedPR

The 2018 state law bans for 8 years the catch, transport, trade and processing of golden dorado in Paraná, except catch and release. IAT Portaria 650/2025 reinforces this: release immediately at the same spot. The law's term ends at the end of 2026: confirm any extension with IAT.

Source: Lei estadual PR nº 19.789/2018 and Portaria IAT nº 650/2025 (fishing in the interior basins of PR; replaced Portarias IAT 177/2025 and 223/2025) - Instituto Água e Terra

Paraná basin: minimum size of 60 cm

60 cmSPMGGOParaná

Federal minimum size in the Paraná basin. The stricter state rule prevails (see MS and PR). In MG, IEF Portaria 111/2003 also sets 60 cm.

Source: Instrução Normativa Ibama nº 26/2009 (fishing rules for the Paraná River basin), Annex

RS: species threatened in the state

catch possibly bannedRSUruguaySouth Atlanticconfirm with the agency

Golden dorado is on the RS state list of threatened fauna. Confirm the catch rule in force with Sema-RS before keeping any fish.

Source: Decreto estadual RS nº 51.797/2014 (list of threatened fauna)

Mato Grosso: Zero Transport for 12 species

MTParaguay (Pantanal)AmazonTocantins-Araguaia

Transport, storage and sale are fully prohibited for 5 years from Jan 1, 2024 for: cachara, caparari, dorado, jaú, matrinchã (Brycon spp.), pintado/surubim (Pseudoplatystoma spp.), piraíba, piraputanga, pirarara, arapaima (pirarucu), trairão and peacock bass (tucunaré, Cichla spp.). For recreational anglers: catch and release only. These 12 species may not even be eaten on site, since the 2 kg or 1 fish limit excludes the art. 19-B list. The law cites jaú as Zungaro zungaro; we also include the Pantanal jaú (Z. jahu) out of caution. The list may still change: § 2 (exotic and predatory species), § 3 (review through study) and the 3-year assessment planned for 2027. A TJMT news report of Jun 2, 2026 confirms the 12 prohibited species. The STF denied a preliminary injunction in the ADIs against the law in 2024; we found no merits ruling.

Source: Lei estadual MT nº 9.096/2009, arts. 19-A, 19-B and 19-C, as amended by Leis nº 12.197/2023 and 12.434/2024

Mato Grosso: catching dorado and piraíba prohibited

Catching, sale and transport of dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) and piraíba (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum) are prohibited in Mato Grosso. The rule is permanent, added by Law 9.794/2012, and independent of Zero Transport.

Source: Lei estadual MT nº 9.096/2009, art. 17-A (Lei nº 9.794/2012)

Mato Grosso do Sul: dorado banned until Mar 31, 2027

MSParaguay (Pantanal)Paraná

Catching, boarding, transport, sale, processing and industrial handling of dorado in MS are prohibited until Mar 31, 2027. Exceptions: catch and release, consumption by professional and riverside fishers, and farmed fish. Studies to support a new extension must be submitted by Feb 28, 2027, with a public hearing.

Source: Lei estadual MS nº 5.321/2019, amended by Leis nº 6.190/2024 and nº 6.390/2025 (DOE-MS Mar 28, 2025)

Paraná: jaú, pintado, cachara, dorado and piracanjuba catch and release only

PRParanáSoutheast Atlantic

Possession, killing and transport of these species are prohibited in Paraná's inland waters (Paraná and Atlantic Southeast basins, except the Iguaçu River and the coast). Catch and release only, with immediate release at the same spot.

Source: Portaria IAT nº 650/2025, art. 8º, V

Rio Grande do Sul: dorado, pintado and piracanjuba on the state threatened list

RSUruguaySouth Atlanticconfirm with the agency

State Decree 51.797/2014 declares as threatened in RS: dorado (EN in the Patos Lagoon basin, VU in the Uruguay basin), pintado (EN) and piracanjuba (CR). The decree itself does not set catching rules: confirm with Sema-RS whether there is a retention restriction. Good practice is to release.

Source: Decreto estadual RS nº 51.797/2014

Minimum size: 60 cm

SPPRMGGOMSDFParaná

Source: IN IBAMA nº 26/2009, Annex (Paraná River basin; stricter state rules prevail)

Minimum size: 60 cm

Source: Portaria IEF-MG nº 111/2003 (IEF table)

piracema closures in the basins where the species lives

Spawning closure (piracema) in the Paraná River basin

01/11 to 28/02SPPRMGGOMSDF

Allowed: Recreational fishing only for non-native species and hybrids (peacock bass, tilapia, black bass, carp, croaker, etc.; piauçu remains prohibited), with handline, simple pole, or rod with spinning or baitcasting reel, up to 10 kg + 1 fish. In rivers, from shore only; in reservoirs, from a boat or from shore. Prohibited: floodplain lakes, aquatic-animal bait, within 1,500 m of dams and waterfalls, and within 500 m of confluences. Tournaments only in reservoirs and only with non-native species.

Source: IN IBAMA nº 25/2009

Spawning closure (piracema) in Minas Gerais (state rule)

01/11 to 28/02MG

Allowed: Only exotic or hybrid species, 3 kg + 1 fish per day, with handline, rod, simple pole, or spinning or baitcasting reel. Nets prohibited. Keep the minimum distances from dams and reservoirs.

Source: Portarias IEF nº 154/2011 (São Francisco), 155/2011 (East) and 156/2011 (Grande/Paranaíba)

Closed season in Goiás (state rule)

01/11 to 28/02GO

Allowed: Sport and guided fishing only in reservoirs, catch and release with barbless hooks (no keeping, transporting or eating). Subsistence: up to 5 kg per day, for household consumption only.

Source: IN Semad-GO nº 17/2026, arts. 8º to 11

Spawning closure (piracema) in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul

05/11 to 28/02MS

Allowed: Subsistence fishing by riverside residents and authorized scientific fishing. Decree 15.166/2019 (art. 11, §5) allows catch and release only in February and only in the channels of the Paraguay and Paraná rivers. For the rest of the period, not even catch and release is allowed. Check the Imasul portaria for each season.

Source: Decreto estadual MS nº 15.166/2019, art. 11; IN IBAMA nº 201/2008

Spawning closure (piracema) in Mato Grosso (all basins)

01/10 to 31/01MT

Allowed: All fishing modalities are prohibited in rivers, including catch and release (Law 9.096/2009, art. 19-A). Exceptions: subsistence fishing from shore (3 kg or 1 fish, no transport or sale) and scientific fishing. Law 13.159/2025 now allows licensed sport fishing in UHE/PCH hydropower reservoirs, natural lakes and border rivers, subject to a scientific study and a license from the environmental agency. We have not confirmed whether these licenses are already being issued.

Source: IN Interministerial MAPA/MMA nº 10/2017; Resolução Cepesca-MT nº 1/2026; Lei estadual MT nº 9.096/2009, arts. 19-A and 27 (Leis 12.434/2024 and 13.159/2025)

Spawning closure (piracema) in the Uruguay River basin

01/10 to 31/01RSSC

Allowed: Recreational fishing from shore, or from a boat without motor. Only handline or rod, line and hook, one gear per angler, up to 5 kg. Prohibited in floodplain lakes, within 1,500 m of dams, within 500 m of confluences, and in stretches listed in the rule (e.g., Turvo River).

Source: IN IBAMA nº 193/2008

Spawning closure (piracema) in the southern basins (RS and SC, outside the Uruguay)

01/11 to 31/01RSSC

Allowed: Recreational fishing from a boat or from shore, with a single hook, one gear per angler, up to 5 kg.

Source: IN IBAMA nº 197/2008

catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.

Use pliers and a boga-grip; don't put your hand in the mouth. Remove the treble hook quickly, without hanging the fish by the jaw. Take the photo supporting its belly and release it in running water, facing into the current, until it swims off on its own.

in the kitchen

White, tasty flesh with Y-shaped bones. Where catching is banned, eat only farmed golden dorado with an invoice.

calculator

how much it weighs without taking it out of the water

total length (cm)

Length-weight relationship W = a·L^b (a = 0.0204815, b = 3.09; FishBase; coeficiente a ajustado ao porte máximo registrado). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.

estimated weight

—

sources and references

The season weights (months), the time of day and the sensitivities (cold, pressure, moon, wind, rain, tide, strong light, murky water and noise) are the app's editorial estimates, based on the literature below and on the field experience of anglers and guides. They are not official data nor a measurement made for this species, and they may vary by region and year. Closed seasons and legal rules appear in the rules section, with the norm and a link.

scientific FishBase — Salminus brasiliensis (ficha da espécie)Names, distribution, biology, length-weight relationship and references. Page checked on October 13, 2026.
official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026 — Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)Most recent national list. The species is not on it (search by scientific name in the text published in the DOU, checked on October 13, 2026).
official ICMBio/SALVE — Ficha de Salminus brasiliensis (avaliação nacional do risco de extinção)National assessment by ICMBio, published in 2024. DOI verified on Crossref.
scientific IUCN Red List — Salminus brasiliensis (avaliação global: Pouco Preocupante, LC, 07/10/2020)Global assessment. Link given on the FishBase entry (Red List, version 2025-2).
scientific Britski, H. A.; Silimon, K. Z. S.; Lopes, B. S. (1999). Peixes do Pantanal: manual de identificação. Brasília: Embrapa-SPI. 184 p.1st edition (treats the golden dorado as Salminus maxillosus). The URL is the book's record in the USP repository.
scientific Ota, R. R.; Deprá, G. C.; Graça, W. J.; Pavanelli, C. S. (2018). Peixes da planície de inundação do alto rio Paraná e áreas adjacentes: revised, annotated and updated. Neotropical Ichthyology 16(2): e170094.Annotated list of species of the upper Paraná River, indicating native and non-native ones. Open access; species name checked in the text.
scientific Zaniboni Filho, E.; Meurer, S.; Shibatta, O. A.; Nuñer, A. P. O. (2004). Catálogo ilustrado de peixes do alto rio Uruguai. Florianópolis: Editora da UFSC; Tractebel Energia. 128 p.Printed work; the URL is the bibliographic record on FishBase, which cites this work for the species.

don't confuse

similar species

Bryconidae

Dourado-do-São-Francisco

Salminus franciscanus

The Velho Chico (São Francisco River) golden dorado. Same temperament as the Pantanal golden dorado, in rocky stretches and rapids such as Pirapora and downstream of Três Marias.

Freshwater

time of yearbest: Aug–Oct