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Río Pilcomayo

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Species
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Flowing from the high Andean foothills of Bolivia down through the Gran Chaco plains and into the province of Formosa in northeastern Argentina, the Río Pilcomayo is one of South America's most remarkable subtropical fishing destinations. The river originates at elevations near 4,820 meters in the Oruro Department of Bolivia before descending through Chuquisaca and Tarija, ultimately forming much of the natural border between Argentina and Paraguay before joining the Paraguay River near Asunción. By the time it reaches Formosa, the river winds through a mosaic of wetlands, gallery forests, savannas, and floodplains sitting at roughly 115 meters above sea level — a dramatically different environment from its Andean headwaters. The lower Pilcomayo basin, which encompasses the Río Pilcomayo National Park and Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, is a sprawling subtropical ecosystem covering approximately 55,000 hectares of the Wet Chaco ecoregion. This protected area is recognized internationally for its extraordinary aquatic biodiversity, with 77 documented fish species belonging to 23 families and eight orders — representing over half of Formosa Province's entire ichthyofauna. The river and its associated lagoons, estuaries, and floodplain wetlands create a sport fishing paradise that draws anglers from across South America seeking encounters with large, powerful fish in a wild and largely undisturbed natural setting.


Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Río Pilcomayo and what's needed to catch them.

No species information available.

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Río Pilcomayo. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Upper Reaches into Formosa Province: As the Pilcomayo enters Argentine territory, it transitions from a mountain river into a broad, meandering lowland system. The upper Formosa section is characterized by shifting channels, sandy and silty substrates, and dense riparian gallery forest. This stretch tends to carry higher sediment loads and can experience significant seasonal fluctuation in water levels.

Lower Pilcomayo and National Park Area: The lower section of the river, running through and adjacent to the Río Pilcomayo National Park, is the most ecologically rich and most visited by anglers. Here the river spreads into a complex wetland landscape that includes the main river channel, oxbow lagoons, flooded savannas, and interconnected estuaries. Laguna Blanca is the most prominent and well-known water body within this zone, offering calm, productive fishing waters surrounded by thick subtropical vegetation. The river in this section forms the natural border with Paraguay, and the park's remote character keeps fishing pressure relatively low.

Tributaries and Connected Waters: Several notable tributaries and connected water bodies enhance the fishing opportunities in the region, including the Dalmacia and Herradura channels, Colonia Aquino, Arroyo Ramírez, Villa Emilia, and the mouths of the Riacho Pilagá. These smaller waters often concentrate fish during seasonal flooding and drawdown cycles and are worth exploring as part of any extended fishing trip.

Know where you can legally fish on Río Pilcomayo

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Take Río Pilcomayo with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

  • Use the map without signal

    Download the map around Río Pilcomayo to use it offline when coverage drops.

  • Log your catches here

    Keep a private fishing journal for Río Pilcomayo to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Río Pilcomayo and check the forecast before you go.

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