Fishing near Várzea Grande, Mato Grosso

Várzea Grande sits in Mato Grosso directly across the Rio Cuiabá from the state capital, Cuiabá, placing anglers at the northern edge of the Pantanal — the world's largest tropical wetland and Brazil's most celebrated freshwater fishery. The Rio Cuiabá runs just 2 km from the city and anchors the local fishing scene, while a network of smaller rivers and ribeirões fans out across the surrounding cerrado and pantanal fringe. The region draws anglers after pintado, dourado, pacu, and tucunaré, with the broader Pantanal system supporting more than 320 fish species.