Fishing in the Pantanal

The Pantanal is an excellent destination for those who enjoy travelling and fishing. The Pantanal region is home to several rivers and around 300 species of fish.

When it comes to fish, what is striking about the Pantanal is not the variety, but the quantity.

Although there are currently around 300 described species in the region – a modest number compared to the 1,800 in the Amazon – there are thousands of fish.

The explanation for this abundance is simple.

Pesca no Pantanal Matogrossense — Fishing in the Mato Grosso Pantanal

During the rainy season, between November and March, much of the Pantanal is flooded.

The bays remain shallow, however, which means that there is intense light, creating an environment favourable to the growth of plants, microalgae and macrophytes, the basis of the food chain for small invertebrates and fish, which find abundant food in the Pantanal waters.

Partially isolated from the large rivers, the bays are an excellent nursery for small fish, safe from predators.

Fishing in the Pantanal, including sport fishing, is showing signs of being seriously threatened by over-exploitation.

There is speculation that the current model may not be sustainable, as it focuses on around twenty species.

Goldfish, for example, are becoming smaller and less abundant. However, the monitoring of fishing boats has become more rigorous.

It’s worth remembering that the waters of the Pantanal are also home to alligators, capybaras, giant otters and other animals, as well as water birds, making the region particularly rich and interesting.

It is therefore essential to preserve the environment and maintain the habitats of all the species.

Pescaria no Pantanal

1. BEST FISHING GROUNDS

1.1. MATO GROSSO

Cáceres and Porto Jofre. Rivers: Cuiabá, das Mortes, Liberdade, Paraguai, Piquiri and São Lourenço.

1.2 MATO GROSSO DO SUL

Aquidauana, Corumbá and Porto Murtinho. Rivers: Paraguay, Miranda and Aquidauana.

2. FISHING METHODS IN THE PANTANAL

2.1 CATCH AND RELEASE

This method isn’t just about releasing the fish back into the water.

Concern for the animal’s survival must be reflected in careful handling and the use of appropriate equipment, such as barbless hooks, so as not to harm it.

2.2 SPEARFISHING

The angler chooses the most interesting spots and casts the bait, either natural or artificial (in the latter case, the bait must move in the water to give the impression that it is alive).

2.3 TROLLING

The boat in which the angler is located is kept at a low speed. Short, strong rods are used for this type of fishing.

2.4 GULLY FISHING

This is the most popular type of fishing worldwide, using simple bamboo rods, carbon rods or even the traditional hand line.

The most popular places for anglers to set up their ranches or camp are on the banks of rivers, lakes or reservoirs.

Riparian fishing is perhaps the most affected by the effects of human activity, which leads to water pollution and deforestation.

For example, the removal of riparian forest deprives fish of the shade and fruits that form part of the diet of species such as the pacu.

2.5 FLY FISHING

One of the oldest forms of fishing, fly fishing owes its name to the bait used, which imitates insects, the natural food of some fish.

Nowadays, there are also lures that look like frogs and even those that imitate small fish.

2.6 SPINNING

The boat drifts down the river with the current while the lure is pulled along the bottom. Silence and little movement in the boat are basic rules for successful fishing.

3. THE BEST FISHING PERIODS

Between the beginning of November and the end of February, the so-called piracema period – when the fish migrate to the upper reaches of the rivers to breed – fishing is prohibited in the Pantanal.

At this time, the only fishing allowed is from the banks with a single rod without a reel.

When a river is very full, it is more difficult to catch fish because they spread out.

However, the rains create lagoons and corixos that concentrate a large number of species, and so between March and May, when many areas are still flooded, pacus, for example, usually stay near trees whose fruit falls into the water, feeding on tucuns, jenipapos, wild figs, quinces and others; it doesn’t take much effort to catch them in such places.

When the rains stop, the fish that were close to the banks return to the riverbed.

From August to October, the best fishing is for pintado and other leather fish – the name refers to the smooth skin that covers their bodies – such as jaú and barbado, which are concentrated due to the low water levels.

In June and July, the arrival of cold fronts can affect fishing.

In either case, tourists should seek out a good pirangueiro – a local fishing guide who knows the best fishing spots – who can be hired directly from most hotels.

3.1 FISHING FESTIVALS

There are two traditional fishing festivals in the Pantanal:

International Fishing Festival (FIP)
Pantanal International Fishing Festival

The first has been held since 1979 in Cáceres, Mato Grosso, during the month of September. It is the largest freshwater competition in the country.

In 2005, the 26th edition took place, with eight days of festivities and shows that move the whole city.

Although less representative, the second event, held annually in October in Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, attracts many tourists to the region.

The 22nd edition took place in 2005, with 167 teams taking part.

As well as promoting the region, the festivals often have a negative impact on the Pantanal.

The large number of tourists often leads to a lack of respect for nature and encourages sexual exploitation, including of children.

Some of the so-called hotel boats, which receive travellers during the fishing season, have unfortunately become a vector for the local prostitution industry, which is a regrettable reality.

4. FISHING LICENCES

Both commercial and sport fishing are regulated.

To fish from a boat or from a ravine, the interested party must apply for a licence from the State Environment Agency (Sema) or from Ibama, whose licence is valid throughout the country.

Once a licence has been obtained from Ibama, the user can fish in any region of the country without having to pay for a state licence.

The exception is the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, where the local government requires a licence issued by the Ministry of the Environment.

In the other states, state regulations must be observed if they are more restrictive than federal regulations.

Currently, the transport of fish in Mato Grosso is limited to 10 kilos of fish plus one specimen.

In Mato Grosso do Sul, each fisherman can take one leather fish, one scaly fish and five piranhas.

Some devices, such as spinners, tarrafas, nets, slingshots and harpoons are forbidden, as well as ligeirinho (with garatéia, a device with three hooks on the same line) and joão-bobo (also called bóia or cavalinho, it consists of fishing by following the movement of gallons or cans, which act as buoys, tied to lines with hooks at the ends).

In some rivers, such as the Taquari, the Coxim, the Piquiri and the Jauru, only sport fishing is allowed, using the catch and release system.

However, there is no guarantee that this method is less predatory than the others, so anglers are advised not to hold the fish by the gills, to release it gently and to avoid hitting the bottom of the boat, among other precautions.

Whatever the method of fishing, any fish under the size limit must be returned to the river immediately.

However, there are some species – such as piranha, botoado and catfish – that are not subject to any restrictions.

Pescaria Esportiva Pantanal — Pantanal Sport Fishing

The following are some of the fish that have a minimum size for fishing:

Fish cm
Barbado 60
Dourado 65
Pacupeva 20
Bicuda 40
Jaú 90
Piavuçu 35
Cachara 80
Jurupensém 35
Pintado 85
Caranha 40
Jurupoca 40
Piraputanga 30
Curimbatá 30
Pacu 45
Ximburé 25

Fishing boats are only allowed to sail from six in the morning to six in the evening.

General, legal and regulatory rules can be found on the Sema MT and Sema MS websites.

5. EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR FISHING

5.1 LINE THICKNESS

The size and type of fish you wish to catch will determine the choice of rod, bait, line and hook.

Apart from their thickness, which is directly proportional to their resistance, there are two basic types of line: monofilament and multifilament.

The former are characterised by greater elasticity and lower resistance at a lower cost.

The latter, on the other hand, have high resistance, are easier to undo “hairs” (knots), have low elasticity and are therefore more effective in hooking.

5.2 BAITS

Live baits are still widely used by fishermen who visit the Pantanal, but the use of artificial baits is increasingly being promoted as it avoids potential imbalances in the environment.

Artificial lures work very well for catching dorado, but the same cannot be said for pintados, cacharas and jaús.

To catch piraputangas you should use fruit and green maize.

Pacu prefer wild fruits, such as jenipapo.

Fish such as the tuvira, mato-grosso, ladybird and pirambóia can also be used as bait.

Other important equipment includes a hook (which should be used with a baitcaster, as fish with strong or serrated teeth tend to cut the line), a reel, a passage, a samburá, an ocean reel, hooks or snaps, binders, jaws, a knife, a pocket knife, a torch, pliers, sinkers and a float (for fishing surface fish such as piraputanga).

5.3 CLOTHING

Fishermen should always wear a long-sleeved shirt to protect themselves from the sun and insects. Water-repellent fabrics make wet clothing uncomfortable to wear. A vest is

useful for storing equipment. A raincoat, cap or hat – the carandá, a palm tree common in the Pantanal, provides good ventilation – polarised glasses, hiking boots and gloves are also essential. A life jacket is compulsory. Always pack warm clothes – you’ll need them when the sun rises above 30 degrees.

5.4 SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS

On the banks of rivers, be careful not to be bitten by snakes.

The jararaca snake – known as the boca-de-sapo in the Pantanal – is common in the region.

If you go into the water to fish, beware of piranhas, known for their razor-sharp teeth, as well as catfish and stingrays, which can cause very painful wounds.

On the Paraguay River, which is very wide, waves can reach over 1 metre in strong winds, easily capsizing small boats.

Avoid using them, especially during the months of June and July, when larger boats are recommended.

You should carefully check the safety of the boat you will be fishing in and find out about the weather conditions.

A first-aid kit containing anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and painkillers, purchased under medical supervision, is essential for some emergencies.

Another essential is sunscreen with at least factor 30. In the Pantanal, the sun is so strong that it shines through your clothes.

This means that you only need to drink plenty of water to beat the heat and avoid health problems.