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Pousada Ilha Bela

Cocalinho, MT · Rio Araguaia

Pousada Ilha Bela
Pousada Ilha BelaPousada Ilha BelaPousada Ilha BelaPousada Ilha Bela

Site oficial — Pousada Ilha Bela

Best months
Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Water
Freshwater

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Pousada Ilha Bela is located in Cocalinho, MT, on the banks of the Araguaia River, in the Médio Araguaia stretch — a classic region for big catfish fishing, anchored over deep holes and sandy channels. Important note: the official link we have on file (pousadailhabela.com.br) does not belong to this lodge — the site's own content shows it actually belongs to Vila Pequeá Pousada, in Ilhabela (SP), geared toward beach tourism, with no connection whatsoever to fishing on the Araguaia. We have not yet found a confirmed official website for the lodge in Cocalinho.

What you'll catch

  • Piraíba (Piraiba Catfish) — the big leather catfish of the region, caught bottom fishing in deep holes.
  • Pirarara (Redtail Catfish) — another classic Araguaia target, also caught on the bottom with natural bait.
  • Barbado (Flatwhiskered Catfish) — a medium-to-large catfish, common in the same bottom fishing trips.
  • "Filhote" is just the name given to a young piraíba — it is not a separate species.
  • Mandi-moela shows up in descriptions of the region, but usually as a smaller fish, more commonly used as bait than as the main target of the fishing day.

Best time to go

The dry season on the Araguaia River, between June and October, is the most recommended period: the river drops, sandbars form, and the big catfish concentrate in narrower holes and channels, making them easier to locate and anchor over. July through September is usually the peak of this condition. Outside this period, with high water, the fish spread out and bottom fishing becomes more difficult.

Techniques and bait

  • Anchored bottom fishing, with heavy weights, in holes and channels with sandy bottoms.
  • Live bait typical of the region: tuvira eels and small scaled fish, fished on the sandy riverbed.
  • Use of sturdy wire leaders and large hooks to handle big leather catfish.

Facilities and prices

The description we have indicates air-conditioned rooms (double and quadruple), a dining hall with local cuisine, and live bait support — consistent with the standard of fishing lodges in the Médio Araguaia, but not yet confirmed by a source from the lodge itself. The same applies to the 4- to 5-day packages, reported in the range of R$ 5,500 to R$ 9,500 per angler: plausible figures compared to other lodges in the region, but without independent confirmation so far.

How to get there

Cocalinho is located in the Médio Araguaia, on the MT/GO border. The usual routes to the region go through Barra do Garças/Nova Xavantina (MT), via BR-158 with access to MT-326, or through Goiânia/Aruanã (GO), with a ferry crossing to the Mato Grosso side. The nearest air access is usually via Goiânia (GYN) or Barra do Garças, with ground transfer to Cocalinho.

What you can catch

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