Your Guide to Golden Dorado in South America
Best Golden Dorado Fishing Trips: Argentina, Bolivia, and Beyond
Choosing where to fish for golden dorado is as exciting as the pursuit itself. Each river has its own personality, from the clear freestone streams of Bolivia to the vast, structure-rich channels of Argentina’s Paraná. Some lodges promise refined luxury and easy access, while others offer remote wilderness and raw adventure. Whether you’re after technical sight-fishing, big river drift casting, or the thrill of trophy tailwaters, this guide will help you find the perfect destination to match your style and make your golden dorado trip unforgettable.
Don Joaquin River Lodge
Country: Argentina
Location: Esquina, Corrientes Province
Don Joaquin River Lodge sits along the banks of the Corriente River, offering access to both the Corriente and Paraná systems. Anglers here fish from modern skiffs, drifting over submerged wood and rocky drop-offs or wading shallower channels for a more technical approach. The guides know these waters intimately and tailor the experience to your preferred style. Back at the lodge, you’ll find a boutique estancia atmosphere with ensuite air-conditioned rooms, a swimming pool, and a focus on traditional Argentine hospitality. Evenings bring perfectly cooked asados and sunsets over the river. This combination of diverse water, warm family service, and refined comfort makes Don Joaquin stand out as a complete golden dorado experience.
Season: September to May
Accommodation: Boutique estancia with 8 ensuite rooms, pool, spa services, and elegant dining
Price: Roughly $4,800 per person for 7 nights, 6 days fishing – Check out our all-inclusive package
Golden Dorado Cruiser
Country: Argentina
Location: Upper Paraná River
Golden Dorado Cruiser is a purpose-built liveaboard mothership that follows the dorado as they migrate through the Upper Paraná. Each morning, anglers board custom skiffs to fish clear runs, submerged timber, and rock gardens, moving with the seasons to stay on the most active fish. The floating lodge offers comfortable cabins, a private chef, and a casual social atmosphere ideal for small groups. This high-mobility program gives you access to lightly pressured water that shore-based operations can’t always reach, maximizing your chances at both numbers and big fish.
Season: Year-round
Accommodation: Floating mothership with private cabins, chef-prepared meals, and spacious decks
Price: Roughly $5,400 per person for 7 nights, 6 days fishing
Pira Lodge
Country: Argentina
Location: Iberá Marshlands, Corrientes Province
Pira Lodge is the gold standard for sight-fishing golden dorado in shallow, clear marsh channels. Anglers quietly pole skiffs across labyrinthine creeks and lagoons, scanning for hunting dorado in gin-clear water. The strikes are visual and explosive, making this a favorite among technical fly anglers. The restored colonial estancia offers elegant ensuite rooms, a swimming pool, shady verandas, and superb regional cuisine with excellent Argentine wines. It’s a truly immersive experience that blends luxury, wildlife, and world-class fishing.
Season: November to April
Accommodation: Eight-room colonial lodge with pool, shaded verandas, and refined service
Price: Roughly $7,950 per person for 7 nights, 6 days fishing
Suindá Lodge
Country: Argentina
Location: Itatí, Corrientes Province
Suindá Lodge sits above the clearest section of the Upper Paraná River, where giant dorado hunt along submerged logs and basalt rock ledges. Fishing here is a mix of drifting and sight-casting, with guides who specialize in both fly and lure techniques. The modern lodge features panoramic river views, ensuite rooms, and gourmet cuisine that showcases fresh local produce. Between the sophisticated accommodations and the consistency of trophy-sized fish, Suindá remains one of the most sought-after dorado destinations in South America.
Season: September to May
Accommodation: Contemporary riverfront lodge with large decks and fine dining
Price: Roughly $7,950 per person for 7 nights, 6 days fishing
Karanda Lodge
Country: Argentina
Location: Itatí, Corrientes Province
Karanda Lodge combines boutique luxury with serious fishing access to the productive Upper Paraná. Guides target big dorado drifting over rocky channels and casting to submerged timber, adjusting each day to river conditions and fish behavior. The lodge’s warm atmosphere includes six elegant suites, beautiful common areas, and memorable meals paired with fine Argentine wines. This is an excellent choice for anglers who appreciate refined accommodations and attentive service as much as they do big fish.
Season: June to December
Accommodation: Upscale lodge with six suites, modern amenities, and a focus on comfort
Price: Roughly $6,950 per person for 7 nights, 6 days fishing
River Plate Dorados
Country: Uruguay
Location: Uruguay River, Salto Grande Dam
River Plate Dorados operates a private tailwater fishery known for producing some of the largest dorado on the continent. You’ll fish from 21-foot bass boats in deep, powerful currents below the Salto Grande Dam. The experience is fully inclusive, combining four full days of fishing and wingshooting with luxurious lodging at Quiroga Suites Thermal Spa, which offers private whirlpools, fine dining, and excellent service. This destination is ideal for anglers targeting trophy fish in a controlled-access fishery with professional guides and top-tier amenities.
Season: Year-round
Accommodation: Quiroga Suites Thermal Spa with single-occupancy rooms and luxury facilities
Price: Roughly $5,600 per person for 5 nights, 4 days fishing
Tsimane Secure Lodge
Country: Bolivia
Location: Upper Sécure River, Bolivian Amazon
Secure Lodge is a fly angler’s dream in the Bolivian jungle. Here, you wade or drift crystal-clear freestone rivers, casting streamers to dorado and pacu you can see in the current. The experience is remote and immersive, with indigenous guides and strict conservation practices protecting the resource. Accommodations are rustic but comfortable, with private cabins, solar power, and chef-prepared meals. Secure is best for anglers who want adventure, clear water, and high fish counts in a truly wild environment.
Season: June to October
Accommodation: Jungle cabins with solar power and comfortable beds
Price: $7,600 per person + $670 national park and Indian Territory fee
Tsimane Pluma Lodge
Country: Bolivia
Location: Pluma River, Bolivian Amazon
Pluma Lodge offers access to the main Pluma River, plus tributaries that hold exceptional numbers of dorado and pacu. Fishing is done by wading and drifting, often sight-casting to fish in shallow riffles and deep pools. The setting is one of the most beautiful in South America, combining spectacular jungle scenery with an unrivaled diversity of water. The lodge itself is comfortable and well-appointed, blending rustic charm with modern conveniences. If you want to experience the heart of Tsimane, this is the place.
Season: June to October
Accommodation: Jungle lodge with modern comforts, solar power, and river views
Price: $7,600 per person + $670 national park and Indian Territory fee
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Where can I catch golden dorado?
Golden dorado are native to South America’s warm river systems. You’ll find the best fishing in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Legendary destinations include Argentina’s Paraná River and Uruguay River, Bolivia’s remote jungle tributaries of the upper Río Secure and Río Pluma, and Paraguay’s Paraná basin. These rivers are renowned for their healthy populations and thrilling sight-fishing opportunities.
What is the best time to fish for golden dorado?
While you can target dorado year-round, the prime season typically runs from October through April, when water levels are lower and clarity improves. In Argentina, summer months (November to March) bring hot weather and active fish. In Bolivia, the season often peaks from June to October, coinciding with clearer, dropping jungle rivers that allow better sight-casting.
Golden dorado fishing in Argentina?
Argentina is arguably the world’s most famous destination for golden dorado. Anglers flock to the Paraná River and Iberá Marshlands for trophy fish exceeding 40 pounds. Fishing here combines drifting and casting streamers or baitfish imitations near submerged structure, sandbars, and channels. Argentina’s lodges are well-developed, offering expert guides, custom boats, and prime access to productive waters.
Golden dorado fishing season?
- Argentina & Uruguay: Best from October to April, with peak activity November–March.
- Bolivia: Best from June to October, during the dry season when rivers drop and clear.
- Paraguay: Productive October through April, similar to Argentina’s schedule.
Outside of these windows, high water can limit access or reduce visibility, making fishing more challenging.
Golden dorado fishing Bolivia vs Argentina?
- Bolivia: True wilderness, jungle rivers, and the chance to wade in clear, intimate streams. You’ll often see dorado hunting bait in skinny water. Logistics are more complex, with charter flights into remote camps.
- Argentina: Easier access, larger rivers like the Paraná, and more established infrastructure. Fishing is often from skiffs targeting big fish near structure.
If you prefer adventure and sight-fishing, Bolivia is unmatched. If you’d like more comfort and convenience, Argentina is ideal.
Golden dorado world record?
- The IGFA all-tackle world record golden dorado weighed 55 pounds 11 ounces (25.25 kg). It was caught in 2006 on the Uruguay River near Bella Unión. Record-class fish are rare but possible in the lower Paraná and Uruguay rivers, especially at La Zona.