The Golden Dorado, also known as the ‘River Tiger’ or ‘Jaw Characin’, is a large predatory fish found in central and east-central South America. It’s native to the warm freshwater habitats in southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and northern Argentina. With a large head and powerful jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth, they’re often referred to as the steel-jawed hunters.
A true apex predator in their freshwater habitat, the Golden Dorados diet consists of a wide variety of fish, but they’ve also been known to feed on small vertebrates, such as rodents, lizards, and birds. The size of Dorado typically ranges from 5lb to 10lb pound; however, they grow much larger in some fisheries and fish to over 20lb aren’t uncommon. The current IGFA world record Golden Dorado currently stands at 55lb 11oz caught in 2006 in the Uruguay River in Argentina.
The Golden Dorado is highly sought-after by anglers, appreciated for their fighting ability. Their sharp teeth and powerful jaws will bend hooks and cut wire, and their highly aggressive nature, attracts anglers from all corners of the world, traversing to South American waters with the hope of hooking one. Since the early 2000s onwards, the Dorado has been recognized as a fly-fishing species, with their initiative in taking flies, paired with excellent fight energy, frequently going airborne to loosen itself from the hook, make this species a true gamefish.
Below are the top destinations in the world for Golden Dorado Fishing.
Tsimane Pluma Lodge, overlooking the Pluma River, is considered the most deluxe and diverse of the Tsimane lodges. Strategically located in the middle of the Pluma River below the confluence of two world-class systems, the upper Pluma and the Itirizama, makes this one of the best destinations to fly fish for Golden Dorado.
For 2023 we're excited to introduce to you a brand new helicopter fishing trip, allowing adventurous travelling rods the opportunity to fish some of the most remote, untouched waters in Bolivia and the whole of the South American continent for the hard-fighting Golden Dorado. If you're looking for a first-class, fly fishing adventure, then this is perfect for you.
Tsimane Agua Negra Camp is designed for just 4 anglers who will fish two main river systems, the Secure and the Agua Negra. Each season hundreds of thousands of baitfish migrate up the greater Secure system, and with them come thousands of large, aggressively feeding Dorado, all of which love taking anglers flies.
Secure Lodge is the perfect destination for fly anglers looking for the jungle experience, with access to lots of water, giving all anglers many opportunities for fly fishing with heavy and light fly rods. The rivers contain an abundant number of Golden Dorado and provides an experience you'll remember forever.
If you have ever wanted to experience fly fishing for Golden Dorado in stunning surroundings, then Pira Lodge is the perfect destination. Explore this huge expanse of creeks, lagoons and rivers from our Hells Bay flats boats, searching for Golden Dorado in the crystal clear water that is eagerly awaiting your fly.
If you have ever wished to go and experience some of the best Golden Dorado fishing on this planet? These hosted trips are for just 6 people each week, so perfect for single anglers. This is one of the most pristine environments in the world. Combine the stunning wildlife and amazing fishing. This will be a holiday you talk about for a very long time.
The famous Pintis Lodge that is right on the banks of the Rio Parana River, offers you the perfect opportunity to present flies to hungry Golden Dorado. A great benefit of this lodge it sits right on the best water of the river. Just make sure you ready for this action-packed holiday?
Suindá Lodge is a Golden Dorado anglers dream and is a first-class program for those searching for exciting freshwater fly fishing opportunities combined with some of the most technical yet rewarding fishing out there; it’s also a destination where double-figure Dorados are a possibility all season long.
Delta Eco Lodge is the perfect ‘add-on trip’ for anglers visiting or passing through Argentina and looking for a couple of extra days of Golden Dorado fishing at the start or end of their holiday. Situated in an ideal location, less than an hour from downtown Buenos Aires, it’s the perfect stop for travelling rods before the flight back home.
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Name: Golden Dorado
Also Known as: Dourado, River Tiger and Jaw Characin
Scientific Name: Salminus Brasiliensis
The Golden Dorado, or ‘River Tiger’ as it’s also known, is a species that cannot be mistaken for anything else. Its sleek, solid shape is packed with muscle, and its large head and powerful jaws are filled with razor-sharp teeth. Adults feature a bright golden-yellow colouration with black spots on their sides and back, fading towards a white belly, while juveniles often appear more silvery.
Preferring warm water temperatures, the Dorado is migratory in response to temperature, season, and food sources. It’s common for a fish to travel in excess of two hundred miles to spawn in the spring and summer months. Although it’s generally a solitary species, it often undertakes these migrations in groups.
The females, which grow considerably larger than males, reach maturity when they are 4–5 years old and can lay up to 2 million eggs released near the water surface. These young fish start their lives feeding on plankton before switching to insects and small fish as they grow. Once they reach their full potential, they become true apex predators within their freshwater habitat, and nothing is safe from their powerful jaws. Alongside their staple diet of all manner of fish species, they have been known to take crustaceans and small vertebrates like rodents, lizards and birds.
To learn more about the Golden Dorado, visit our YouTube channel.
Golden Dorados are native to many freshwater habitats in South America, including Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, and northern Argentina. They have also been introduced into several Brazilian river basins in the southeast portion of the country.
Bolivia offers some breathtaking and exhilarating opportunities for travelling anglers looking to catch and target Dorado. The country’s wild, remote landscapes, gin-clear tributaries and dense jungle provide the perfect habitat.
The three main river systems most popular for Golden Dorado fishing in Bolivia are the Agua Negra, Secure, and Pluma Rivers. These waterways see the most extensive run of migratory fish, and both have exceptional reputations. Each year, they produce specimens of over 20lb.
Argentina is another popular destination, with the northern province of Corrientes, in the middle of the Iberá Marshland and the Rio Parana River, two famous locations for Dorado fishing.
Our top five Golden Dorado fishing tours:
Pluma Lodge Bolivia
Agua Negra Bolivia
Secure Lodge Bolivia
Pira Lodge Argentina
Suinda Lodge Argentina
Note: The Golden Dorado holds great significance in South American culture, with its roots tracing back centuries. Many indigenous communities revered the fish as sacred, attributing supernatural powers to it. Even today, festivals are organised to honour the Golden Dorado, attracting people from around the globe who wish to witness its beauty firsthand.
From legends of colossal golden fish safeguarding hidden treasures to tales of aiding lost travellers in finding their way home, the Golden Dorado has captivated imaginations for generations. Its mythical status serves as a reminder of the profound connection between humans and nature, which should be valued and safeguarded for future generations.
As the Golden Dorado is such a ferocious predator, the best and most effective methods to target them are those that entice the fish into feeding. Lures or fly fishing are the most popular and exciting ways to catch them, but bait will also work.
However you fish them, there is one common theme that you need to adhere to: your tackle must be strong enough for the job. Your rods must be stiff enough to set the hook in their bony mouths and cast bulky lures and flies into their habitats, lines robust enough to cope with the underwater topography of where you’re fishing, and wire leaders tough enough to cope with their strong jaws and razor-sharp teeth.
Despite being an avid hunter, the Dorado can be a lazy chaser, so when fly fishing for them, it’s vital to vary the speed of your retrieve. Working your fly in this manner can provide some explosive sport—enticing a big Dorado to hammer your fly in shallow, fast-running water before showing its fighting strength and stamina with high jumps and long runs is an experience that will live long in the memory.
Fly-wise, shiny, flashy materials attract this fish, leading to the development of flies with vibrant or dark colours. Popular fly patterns include minnow-like flies, streamers, and the Andino Deceiver. If you’re travelling to fly fish for Golden Dorado and want to learn more about the flies you need, this blog may be helpful: Golden Dorado Flies – Our Top Patterns & Colours.
If you’re looking to lure fish for them, they will hit everything from metals to shallow divers. However, undoubtedly, one of the best ways to fish for them is with a surface popper. Watching the water erupt as a big mean Dorado hammers your lure is a sight to behold.
Golden Dorado typically weighs 5lb to 10lb; however, they grow much more significantly in some fisheries, and fish over 20lb aren’t uncommon. The IGFA world record Golden Dorado currently stands at 55lb 11oz caught in 2006 in the Uruguay River in Argentina.
