Guide under construction. Some facts are still being verified; don’t use it to plan a trip yet.
PESCAMAPA

Sport fishing in Goya, Corrientes: surubí, side channels and the Isoró wetlands

The National Surubí Festival made Goya famous. The Paraná, the Goya side channel and the Isoró wetlands keep it fishable in every season, if you can read the river.

By Pescamapa team · Updated ·Regulations not yet checked

Species
Techniques
Guided boat fishing · Spinning and baitcasting · Trolling · Fly fishing · Bank fishing in permitted areas
When
All four seasons, depending on river level, weather and closures
Guides
Local outfitters ↓

Why Goya

Goya sits in southern Corrientes province on the Paraná and is known as the home of the surubí. The islands and side channels facing the town are this catfish’s habitat, which gave rise to the National Surubí Festival: in 2026 it drew 1,400 teams, and it has been catch and release since 2004.

But Goya is more than the tournament. The province describes it as a mosaic of channels, side channels, sandbanks, lagoons and wetlands, with half-day, full-day and multi-day trips. The Paraná–Isoró system adds appeal for longer trips and non-fishing companions: capybaras, caimans, waterbirds and black howler monkeys are often seen along the way.

The water: Paraná, riacho and Isoró

The riacho Goya is an arm of the Paraná right next to town, and its flow depends on the river level. Further out are the deep holes and drop-offs of the Paraná. Inland, the Isoró is a protected wetland and fish breeding area: official information promotes it mainly for boating and wildlife watching. Check permits and zones before fishing there.

There is no official map of permitted fishing spots. That is why Pescamapa shows areas, not exact fishing marks, and never presents a spot as permitted without confirmation.

Species and techniques

The surubí is the signature species. Golden dorado and mixed river species round out the fishing, and provincial promotion also mentions pacú, manguruyú and armado. For Corrientes as a whole, the province mentions spinning, trolling and fly fishing. The right technique in Goya depends on the day, the species and the guide: confirm it with your outfitter.

When to go: read the river before the calendar

The level and trend of the Paraná change everything. Before you travel, check the INA river alert system. For example, on 18 October 2026 Goya read 5.28 m and rising, above the alert level (5.20 m). That reading is only a snapshot of that day.

PENDIENTE: indicative calendar by species, built with local guides and dated.

Choosing a guide

Ask before you book:

  • Which water and species they suggest for your dates, and how the current river level affects it.
  • How long the trip lasts, where you launch and what the price includes: fuel, tackle, bait, food and transfers.
  • Whether the guide is licensed, whether they help with your licence and what happens if the weather turns.
  • What safety gear the boat carries (a life jacket for each person) and whether fishing is catch and release.

PENDIENTE: outfitter directory. Each listing is published only with the outfitter’s consent and a verification date.

Surubí week

The 50th National Surubí Festival is announced for 28 April to 2 May 2027. If you plan to compete, read the rules and follow COMUPE’s announcements. If you’re going for the festival, book lodging and transport early and check cancellation policies: it’s the busiest week of the year.

Getting there

Goya is reached via national route RN 12 and provincial route RP 27, about 220 km from the city of Corrientes and about 715 km from Buenos Aires. Check roadworks and road conditions before you set out.

Indicative calendar

WhenWhat to expect
All yearThe province presents Goya as a four-season destination. Results change with the level and trend of the Paraná, the weather and closures: there is no guaranteed “best month”.
28 April – 2 May 202750th National Surubí Festival. Peak demand for lodging and transport: book early.
Before every tripCheck the Paraná level at Goya on the INA site, the forecast and current closures.

Licence, closures and regulations

Fishing in Corrientes requires a sport fishing licence, issued through the Natural Resources portal. Bank fishing doesn’t require a guide, but it does require a licence. The province can impose temporary closures by stretch, species or technique: in September 2026 it ordered an extraordinary closure on a stretch of the Paraná (km 1109 to 1150). Before you go, check the licence category, validity and cost, and whether any closures apply to the stretch you plan to fish. The regional agreement recognising Litoral licences does not automatically cover all Corrientes waters.

Authority: Dirección de Recursos Naturales de Corrientes (provincial Natural Resources office)

We have not yet checked the current regulations for this guide. Rules change: confirm with the authority before you go.

Guides and lodging

We are surveying outfitters in Goya. Each listing is published with their consent and with dated prices.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to hire a guide to fish in Goya?

Not for bank fishing: according to the municipality it isn’t mandatory. You still need a licence and must respect local restrictions, such as the waterfront ban. For boat fishing, and especially in the Isoró, the municipality recommends licensed guides.

What species can you catch in Goya?

The province’s official promotion lists surubí, golden dorado, pacú, manguruyú, armado and mixed river species. It is a list of signature species, not a catch guarantee: your guide confirms what to target on each date and with which technique.

When is the 2027 National Surubí Festival?

The 50th edition is announced for 28 April to 2 May 2027. The boat contest runs from 5 pm on Saturday 1 May to 8 am on Sunday 2 May, according to the official rules. Registration and places: COMUPE.

Is the Surubí contest catch and release?

Yes. The contest has been catch and release since 2004. Its tackle, navigation and control rules belong to the tournament and don’t carry over to everyday recreational fishing.

How do I get to Goya?

By national route RN 12 and provincial route RP 27. Goya is about 220 km south of the city of Corrientes and about 715 km from Buenos Aires. We found no scheduled flights to Goya: check buses and connections before you travel.

Sources