Golden dorado hold a special place in the hearts of anglers in Argentina, they are a fish of contrasts; pretty yet powerful, aggressive but spooky, brutal yet fussy at the same time. Perhaps it is this complexity that makes them so alluring.

TRIP OVERVIEW

We start the trip at Pira Lodge on the Esteros del Iberá Reserve (from the Guaraní language, meaning “Bright Waters”), this is one of South America’s most important freshwater reservoirs. Ranked the second-largest wetland in the world after the Pantanal in Brazil, it’s also enormous. The area encompasses more than 3 million acres of flowing water—crystal clear creeks, shallows, lakes, swamps, and lagoons. And Pira Lodge, in northern Argentina’s Corrientes Province, strategically places anglers in the southern tip; a habitat-rich bottleneck where the marsh and Corriente River ecosystems converge. Here, the Dorado is king. The marsh is fished from flats skiffs and anglers can expect to encounter multiple dorado in a day. The average size of the fish is between 2-6 pounds and they will move to large streamers and poppers in the clear water of the marshland. Larger fish of over 10 pounds can also be encountered if conditions align.

After 4 days of fishing at Pira Lodge we will move onto Karandá lodge. The lodge is located on a prime stretch of the Paraná River, offering exceptional opportunities to target large Dorado. Sight-fishing is one of the highlights, particularly when Dorado move onto the sandbars to ambush cruising sábalo. This will be your opportunity to hook into a monster, dorado of over 20 pounds can be encountered on this part of the Paraná River and October is prime time to intercept one.

Hosted Trip Dates

25th October to 1st November 2027

Itinarary

Day 0 : (Oct 24th) Fly to Buenos Aires, gather at airport and catch transfer to Mercedes

Day 1 : (Oct 25th) Arrive in Mercedes and transfer by car to lodge (1 hours)

Day 2 - Day 8 : (Oct 26th - Nov 1st) Full days guided fishing

Day 9 : (Nov 2nd) Transfer to Buenos Aires, stay in hotel

Day 10 : (Oct 24th) Fly from Buenos Aires

RATES

7 nights / 6 days fishing = $7950 (USD) per person sharing

“I caught more dorado than I could count but it was the superb quality of the lodge and the natural setting that made the trip special.”

— Nick Reygaert, Te Anau, NZ

ACCOMMODATIONS

LODGING DETAILS: Built with exquisite Corrientes style and pride, Pirá Lodge enjoys a spectacular panoramic view of the vast wetlands. It accommodates up to 10 guests in five deluxe rooms, each with a private entrance, private bath, two double beds, ceiling fans and air conditioning. A separate building, attached by covered walkways and open-air patios, accommodates the spacious living room, bar, and dining room areas—each with tall doors that open to the wide veranda. Pirá Lodge was designed by award-winning architects to respect traditional regional elegance—offering all of the comforts and luxuries of a contemporary hotel. Relax and enjoy a cocktail at any hour, and cool off in the outdoor swimming pool after a rewarding day of fishing.

As a Karandá Lodge guest, your comfort, on-and-off the water, is our priority. Accommodations for the duration of your stay will be at a 5-star exclusive lodge overlooking the Paraná River in the riverside haven of Bella Vista, where we have the capacity for up to ten anglers. Hotel amenities include a dining room and “Asado” area, as well as a swimming pool and a fully stocked bar, with beer and top-shelf spirits. Lunch is served during your fishing day on or off the water (depending on weather conditions), and you’ll enjoy breakfast and dinner at the lodge. Savory main courses

In addition to our focus on fresh food with organic origins, we also celebrate our Argentine heritage with a wine partnership that brings truly world class wines to our lodges. Our Northern Argentina kitchens specialize in diverse dishes that pair prime cuts of local meats with the freshest fruits and vegetables. Beyond traditional asados, salads and sides, enjoy exotic appetizers such as yacaré meat, savory cheeses, and homemade breads such as our classic chipá rolls. Desserts tantalize guests with multiple textures and flavors designed to provide an unforgettably delicious final touch.

NON-ANGLING ACTIVITIES: Pira Lodge is situated in a very remote part of Argentina, and overall, this is a fishing-focused operation. But there is plenty for non-fishing partners to enjoy, the luxury and serenity of the lodge first and foremost. Non-fishing activities such as horseback riding, or bird watching are available to allow our guests to enjoy the amazing wildlife in the area, and should be organized with the head guide. The swimming pool is the perfect place for relaxing and sunbathing. Snorkeling and Night expeditions into the Marsh are also exciting options.