The Rio Taquari flows through the state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil, forming the lower portion of the larger Taquari-Antas river system — one of the principal sub-basins of the Patos Lagoon basin, which ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean. The river originates in the upper basin as the Rio Antas, descending from a high basaltic plateau at elevations of roughly 800 to 1,200 meters above sea level through deeply incised valleys before transitioning into the lowland river known as the Taquari. The entire Taquari-Antas basin covers approximately 26,470 square kilometers, making it a 7th-order river system of considerable size and ecological significance. This is a richly biodiverse waterway, with surveys of the basin documenting 119 fish species across more than 500 sampling sites — a testament to the remarkable variety of angling opportunities available throughout the system.