Fishing in Lagoa Santa
A rocky-bedded river, a municipal lake with tournaments and an annual festival that draws teams from across the region.
Updated on 2026-10-08
Lagoa Santa, in the state of Goiás, Brazil, has been an anglers' destination for a long time, and not only because of the Rio Aporé. The town has a municipal lake set up for tournaments, a Fishing Festival that reaches its 22nd edition in 2026, fishing pools ("bolões") throughout the year and guesthouses used to hosting people who head out before dawn with a rod and a cooler. Here is what you need to know before you go: where to fish, what usually bites, license and spawning-closure rules, and what to bring.
Where to fish
Rio Aporé
The Aporé is the municipality's main fishing ground. Roughly 200 km long, with a rocky bed alternating between rapids and backwaters, it offers different environments within a few kilometers: deep pools beside the rocks, creek mouths, still-water backwaters and, near town, the outlet of the channel that brings warm water from the thermal lagoon, a spot where fish tend to gather. Fishing is done from the bank, from rocks or from a boat; boats with a boatman can be arranged with residents and guesthouses, and CIAT, (64) 3640-1224 (from abroad: +55 64 3640-1224), can point you to who is operating.
Clarito Pereira Campos Municipal Lake
The lake is in the urban area and hosts the town's tournaments: besides the annual festival, the "bolões de pesca" take place there throughout the year, smaller competitions organized by residents and City Hall. It has accessible banks, which makes it the best option for anyone fishing with children, for beginners and for those who do not want to depend on a boat. Outside tournament periods, ask City Hall, (64) 3640-1303, about the rules of use and any management days.
No fishing in the thermal lagoon. The fish you see inside the Thermas lagoon are part of the attraction and are protected. Fishing takes place on the river and at the municipal lake.
Species you can expect
The Aporé belongs to the Rio Paranaíba basin, within the greater Paraná basin. The species below are common in that basin and are reported by anglers in the region; none is guaranteed on any given day, and results depend on the season, the river level and experience.
| Species | Where to look | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Pintado (spotted sorubim catfish) | Deep pools, at night | Natural bait, heavy line; a big fish |
| Dourado (golden dorado) | Rapids and the foot of small falls | Surface and mid-water artificial lures |
| Pacu | Backwaters, under fruit trees | Fruit and dough bait; strong line, powerful teeth |
| Piau | Rocky banks, running water | Corn, earthworms; small hook |
| Traíra (wolf fish) | Still water, grass, municipal lake | Artificial lures at dawn and dusk |
| Tucunaré (peacock bass) | Reservoirs and ponds in the region | Sport fishing, surface lures |
Ask the locals what has been biting that week. In a small town, that is the most reliable information there is.
Lagoa Santa Fishing Festival
The Fishing Festival is the municipality's biggest sporting event and one of the dates that fill the guesthouses fastest. The 22nd edition takes place in 2026, contested in pairs, with a tournament at the Clarito Pereira Campos Municipal Lake, prizes and a program of concerts and food stalls. The date changes from year to year; confirm with City Hall by phone at (64) 3640-1303 or by e-mail at prefeitura@lagoasanta.go.gov.br, and book lodging in advance, because rooms run out. See the full calendar in Town festivals.
Amateur fishing license
Anyone fishing for leisure in Brazilian waters needs the Amateur Fishing License (Licença de Pesca Amadora), issued through a federal system of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture. It is individual, can be requested online and covers both the shore-based and boat-based categories. There are exemptions provided by law, for example for people over 60, minors and people with disabilities, but the rules and fees change, so check the official website before your trip. Carry the license, digital or printed, together with photo ID; enforcement on the river is real, and since the Aporé is the border between two states, that can mean inspectors from both Goiás and Mato Grosso do Sul.
Piracema: when there is no fishing
Piracema is the fish-spawning period, and during the closed season fishing is prohibited or severely restricted. In the Paraná basin in Goiás, the closure usually runs from November to February, with exact dates set by regulation each season. Before planning a fishing trip between October and March, check the current Ministry of Fisheries regulation and the state rules of Goiás and Mato Grosso do Sul. Outside the closure, respect the catch quotas and minimum sizes for each species.
In practice, this reinforces what experience already says: the best fishing season in Lagoa Santa is the dry season, May to September, when the river is low and clear and the species are concentrated in the pools. It coincides with the town's best weather; see When to visit.
What to bring
- Fishing license and photo ID.
- Rods and reels for two scenarios: a light setup for piau and traíra, a heavier one for pintado and dourado.
- Spare line, hooks in assorted sizes, sinkers and needle-nose pliers. The rocky bottom of the Aporé snags and cuts line frequently.
- Surface and mid-water artificial lures; natural bait can be bought or found in town, but do not count on a specialty shop.
- A cooler with ice, a life jacket if you are going by boat, a headlamp for night fishing for pintado.
- Insect repellent, a hat, sunscreen and light long-sleeved clothing. There are mosquitoes on the banks at dawn and dusk.
- Plenty of water and something to eat. The fishing spots are far from any shops.
Where to stay when fishing is the goal
An angler needs a guesthouse that allows departures before 5 a.m., has somewhere to store gear and, ideally, a freezer for the catch. Several lodgings in Lagoa Santa are used to this; some sit right on the bank of the Aporé, and Camping Rei Inca, in a protected grove with water and electricity, is the cheapest option for groups, with contact at (64) 3640-1224. Check addresses and phone numbers on the Where to stay page and, when booking, say that you are going fishing: the guesthouse will usually recommend a boatman and a fishing spot.
Do I need a license to fish in Lagoa Santa?
Yes, for amateur fishing in public rivers and lakes the federal Amateur Fishing License (Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture) is required, except for exemptions provided by law. Check the current rules on the official website before traveling.
When is the piracema closure on the Rio Aporé?
In the Paraná basin in Goiás, the closure usually runs from November to February, but the dates are set by regulation each year. Check the current regulation before fishing between October and March.
What fish are found in the Rio Aporé?
Species common to the Paranaíba basin, such as pintado, dourado, pacu, piau and traíra. Occurrence varies with the season and the river level; nothing is guaranteed.
When is the Fishing Festival?
The festival is annual and, in 2026, reaches its 22nd edition, contested in pairs at the Clarito Pereira Campos Municipal Lake. The date changes each year; confirm with City Hall at (64) 3640-1303.
Can I fish in the thermal lagoon?
No. The Thermas lagoon is an area for bathing and contemplation, and its fish are protected. Fishing takes place on the Rio Aporé and at the Municipal Lake.