Pantanal Wetlands

Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil · Freshwater · Intermediate

The world's largest tropical wetland, laced with clear rivers running into the Paraguay basin. Golden dorado, pacú and huge pintado catfish, with extraordinary wildlife on every bank.

Getting there & access

  • Fish from: land-based or boat

DOURADO IS CATCH-AND-RELEASE ONLY, BY STATE LAW: Mato Grosso do Sul prohibits the capture, loading, transport, sale, processing and industrialisation of dourado. The ban has been extended to 31 March 2027, and pesque e solte — catch and release — is expressly excepted from it, along with consumption by professional and riverside fishers and fish raised in captivity. The Legislative Assembly requires technical, scientific and economic studies by 28 February 2027, presented at a public hearing, before the position is reviewed again. Anyone travelling to the Pantanal to fish dourado should plan on releasing every one. LICENCE: amateur anglers need the Carteira de Pescador Amador, issued by IMASUL at pescaamadora.imasul.ms.gov.br or through the MS Digital app. Authorisations come as annual, quarterly or monthly, and separately for boat-based, shore-based and catch-and-release fishing. CLOSED SEASON: the piracema defeso closes fishing while the shoals run upstream to spawn; the dates are set each year, so check before booking. CATCH-AND-RELEASE-ONLY RIVERS: under CECA deliberations 006/2000 and 003/2000, the Rio Perdido, the Rio Abobral and Rio Vermelho in the Pantanal, and the Rio Negro at Aquidauana are catch-and-release only, to be fished with barbless hooks and the fish returned to the water quickly. PROHIBITED GEAR: nets, cast nets, branch lines, longlines, fixed enclosures, traps, gaffs, grappling and treble snagging hooks, harpoons, arrows, and explosive or toxic substances. IMASUL and the Environmental Police publish a Cartilha do Pescador covering the detail. Check current rules before fishing.

Access information source

Species

  • golden dorado
  • pacú
  • pintado catfish

Best times to fish

  • Dry season (Jun-Oct)
  • Low, clear water
  • Dawn and dusk

Recommended gear

Essential

  • Medium-heavy baitcast or 8-weight fly rod
  • Streamers, topwaters and wire traces
  • Sun protection
  • Sharp hooks

Optional

  • Guided boat or lodge
  • Insect repellent
  • Binoculars

Regulations and requirements

  • Federal licença de pesca amadora required
  • Piracema spawning closure typically runs November to February — fishing is banned or restricted
  • Dorado is protected in some states — check Mato Grosso do Sul rules before keeping fish

Rules change regularly — always confirm with the relevant fisheries authority before you fish.

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