Paraguay sport fishing. Dorado, surubí and a river system built for it.

Where to fish

Four river systems, four very different trips.

Paraguay's fishing geography splits along the country's two great rivers and the two binational reservoirs they feed. Pick by water type, not by department.

• Río Paraná — strong currents, biggest trophies

  The country's main sport-fishing artery. Strong currents, deep channels, and stone-ridge structure where the current accelerates. Holds dorado, surubí, pacú, and boga in numbers. The Paraná hosts the two largest annual tournaments (Ayolas and Bella Vista / Colonias Unidas) and the cross-border Pilar Semana Santa event. *(El Nacional, 2026; Weekend / Perfil, 2025.)*

• Río Paraguay — the northern run

  Hundreds of kilometres of fishable bank from Asunción up through Concepción in the north. Dorado, catfish, and a wide variety of mid-size species. Both bank fishing and small-boat trips work; the river is calmer than the Paraná and forgiving for less-experienced anglers. *(El Nacional, 2026.)*

• Yacyretá & Itaipú reservoirs

  The two giant binational dams that created some of the most productive freshwater ecosystems on the continent. Yacyretá (Itapúa department) is known for trophy dorado and surubí, with deep-water boat fishing as the standard format; the Yacyretá Fishing Club hosts the Ayolas tournament here every September. Itaipú (Alto Paraná department) holds calmer waters that suit beginners as well as veterans, with surubí, pacú, and several catfish species. *(El Nacional, 2026.)*

• Laguna Ypoá (Central + Paraguarí)

  Quiet, slow-water fishing in a wetland setting. Tarariga (Hoplias), mojarra, and catfish from the bank or a small boat. The least adrenaline of Paraguay's fishing locations, and the most accessible from Asunción as a weekend trip. *(El Nacional, 2026.)*

Tebicuary River around Villa Florida (Misiones department, 161 km south of Asunción) is the secondary sport-fishing centre: 35,000–40,000 visitors during the November–February high season, surubí is the local specialty both on the line and on the plate.

Trophy species

Three fish that define a Paraguayan trip.

Most anglers come for one of three. Each fights differently, requires different tackle, and has a separate minimum-size rule under MADES regulation.

1. 01

   Dorado — the headline trophy

   Golden scales, a violent strike, and aerial fights that make it the marquee fish of the Paraná basin. Confirmed Paraguayan catches over 16 kg in recent seasons (one Paraná-bank capture in 2022 weighed ~18 kg gross, ~16 kg cleaned). Minimum legal size: 75 cm. *(Noticiero Paraguay, Oct 2022; Reglamento Único de la Convención de Ituzaingó, 2000.)*

2. 02

   Surubí — the spotted catfish

   Big, spotted, and patient. The surubí favours deeper channels and structure, and the catch usually rewards bottom-rigged technique rather than aggressive casting. Trophy specimens reach roughly 28 kg. The fish is also Paraguay's culinary signature: Milanesa de Surubí and Surubí a la Napolitana are staples in fishing-town restaurants. Minimum legal size: 85 cm.

3. 03

   Pacú — powerful jaws, fruit-eater

   A thick-bodied relative of the piranha with crushing molars adapted for nuts and seeds. Found in calmer river stretches and frequently caught in the Paraná around Paso de Patria, with averages of 4–5 kg and trophy specimens to ~14 kg. Minimum legal size: 45 cm. *(Reglamento Único, 2000; Weekend / Perfil, 2025.)*

Boga (a fourth common quarry, similar 45 cm minimum size) is the workhorse target: smaller, far more numerous, and often the catch-and-release species at tournaments alongside dorado.

MADES licenses

One annual fee, one short-trip option for visitors.

All fishing in Paraguay (sport, commercial, or tourism-linked) requires a license issued by the Ministerio del Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible (MADES). Fees published by MADES on 15 April 2025 (still in force May 2026):

• Annual sport fishing license — Gs. 215,254 (~US$ 35)

  Sport or recreational annual license valid for Paraguayan nationals and residents. Issued at MADES headquarters in Asunción, regional offices, or via the MADES online portal. *(MADES press release, 15 Apr 2025; ABC Color, 15 Apr 2025.)*

• Occasional 4-day license (nationals) — Gs. 107,627 (~US$ 17)

  Short-trip option for Paraguayan citizens and residents who don't fish often enough to justify the annual license. Valid for 4 days from issuance.

• Foreign visitor 4-day license — Gs. 322,881 (~US$ 52)

  The non-resident tourist license. Valid for 4 days. The '~US$ 17' figure that circulates in older Russian-language guides is incorrect: that is the national 4-day rate; the foreign 4-day rate is three times higher. *(ABC Color, 15 Apr 2025; MADES license schedule.)*

• Vessel registration — Gs. 107,627 / year

  Annual sport-vessel registration. Required separately from the personal license if you bring or rent a private boat for fishing. First-time and renewal fees are equal.

• Issuing authority — MADES

  Ministerio del Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible. All licenses, the seasonal veda, and minimum-size rules sit under MADES jurisdiction. Enforcement is shared with the Prefectura General Naval and Policía Caminera at river checkpoints during high season and Semana Santa.

USD conversions on this page use the BCP referencia rate of 6,189 PYG/USD (May 2026). The PYG figures are the legal amounts; round-USD figures are illustrative and move with the exchange rate.

Veda + minimum sizes

Rivers close every November. Fish below size go back.

Two rules dominate the regulatory calendar: the seasonal *veda pesquera* (closed season for spawning) and *tallas mínimas* (minimum-catch sizes). Both are MADES-set and apply to commercial and sport fishers alike.

• Veda 2024–2025 (last season)

  4 November 2024 to 31 January 2025 in waters bordering Brazil (upper Paraná, Apa rivers); 4 November 2024 to 20 December 2024 in waters bordering Argentina (lower Paraná, Paraguay River shared sections). Total fishing prohibition during these dates, recreational and commercial. *(Última Hora, 2024; ABC Color, 2025.)*

• Veda 2025–2026 (current cycle)

  2 November 2025 to 31 January 2026 in Brazil-bordering waters; 2 November 2025 to 20 December 2025 in Argentina-bordering waters. The September–October window is when most international tournaments run; they are scheduled deliberately to close just before the veda begins. *(MADES, 22 Oct 2025; ABC Color, Agencia IP, Oct 2025.)*

• Minimum sizes (tallas mínimas)

  Measured snout-to-tail-tip with the mouth closed. Dorado 75 cm, Surubí 85 cm, Pacú 45 cm, Boga 45 cm. Fish below the minimum must be released alive immediately. *(Reglamento Único, 2000; PescaPro Paraguay, 2025.)*

• Penalties

  Fishing during the veda: 3,001–20,000 daily-wage units of fine (roughly Gs. 322 million to Gs. 2.15 billion at 2025 wage levels), plus equipment confiscation, vessel seizure, and licence revocation. Fishing without a license or with banned gear: 30–500 daily wages. Use of explosives or chemicals is a criminal-code offence with possible imprisonment. *(PescaPro Paraguay, 2025.)*

• Regional restrictions

  Local MADES bulletins occasionally tighten rules in the north (Apa, upper Paraguay) when river-level data signals a vulnerable spawning year. Check the MADES regional office for the department you're fishing in before travel during shoulder seasons (Sep–Oct, Feb–Mar). *(Weekend / Perfil, 2025.)*

The veda also bans transport and commercialization of fish products during the closed period. Restaurants advertising 'fresh-caught' surubí during November–January are either lying or sourcing from cold storage stocked before 2 November.

Tournaments

Three competitions worth planning a trip around.

Sport fishing in Paraguay is competitive at scale. The three flagship events run in the months just before the veda begins, and all three are catch-and-release.

• Concurso Internacional de Pesca del Dorado — Ayolas (September)

  Hosted by the Club de Pesca Yacyretá in Ayolas (Misiones department) on the Yacyretá reservoir. The XXVIII edition ran on 28 September 2025 and gathered over 600 anglers in 206 boats from Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil. Catch-and-release, with all dorado verified by officials and immediately returned. *(Prensa Mercosur; ABC Color, 28 Sep 2025.)*

• Torneo Internacional de Pesca de Semana Santa — Pilar (Holy Week)

  Run by Club Deportivo Pilarense in Pilar (Ñeembucú department) along the Paraguay River, opposite Argentine Formosa. The 54th edition ran during Holy Week 2025 with ~90 boats, three-person crews each, and entries from Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. The 55th edition was declared of tourism interest in March 2026. *(Última Hora, 2025; ABC Color, 12 Mar 2026.)*

• Concurso Internacional de Pesca — Bella Vista / Colonias Unidas (September)

  Organized by the Club de Pesca de Bella Vista (Itapúa department) on the Paraná opposite the Hohenau / Obligado / Bella Vista corridor. The 57th edition ran 12–14 September 2025 with ~400 teams (~800 anglers), the largest of the three by participant count. Multi-species format (dorado, boga, surubí) with mandatory catch-and-release. *(Gobernación de Itapúa, 2025.)*

All three tournaments require a current MADES sport-fishing license in addition to entry registration. Foreign anglers should arrive with the 4-day visitor license already issued; onsite issuance is not guaranteed.

Practical tips

Lodging, guides, and what to eat.

Sport fishing in Paraguay is legitimate but informal: the infrastructure runs through small lodges and family-owned guide services rather than international booking platforms.

• Hire a local guide for the first trip

  At Paso de Patria (Ñeembucú, Paraguayan side) and across the river at Paso de la Patria (Corrientes, Argentine side), a handful of long-time guides take small groups by boat to the productive Paraná stretches at dusk. Cabañas Sueño Dorado is a known operator on the Argentine bank, offering combined lodging-plus-guide packages. The guide knows the structure, the legal limits, and the river level: three things that change every season. *(Weekend / Perfil, 2025.)*

• Villa Florida is the southern fishing hub

  Villa Florida (Misiones department, 161 km south of Asunción on Ruta 1) sits on the Tebicuary River with sandy beaches and a row of paradores and cabañas. Fishing season peaks November–February alongside summer beach tourism. Lodging ranges from municipal paradores to mid-range hotels; book ahead during high season. *(Última Hora; ABC Viajes; Municipalidad de Villa Florida.)*

• Surubí on the plate as well as the line

  Local restaurants in Pilar, Villa Florida, Concepción, and Encarnación serve surubí prepared as Milanesa de Surubí (breaded fillets), Surubí a la Napolitana (with tomato, ham, melted cheese), grilled, or in caldo de pescado (fish soup). The fish soup-and-cassava combination is the standard Friday-during-Lent meal in fishing towns.

• Tackle and bait — buy or rent locally

  Most guides supply rods, reels, and live or frozen bait (boga carpa is the standard dorado bait) as part of the day rate. Bringing high-end imported tackle through customs is legal but adds friction; for a first trip the guide's gear is fine. Check that the boat carries the MADES vessel licence sticker before leaving the dock; your license doesn't cover an unlicensed vessel.

Fishing is one of the few mainstream tourism products Paraguay has built genuine international reputation around. The infrastructure is in place, the regulation is enforced, and the rivers are healthy. The booking channel is still WhatsApp and a phone call, not a glossy website.