Keep an eye on this page for the Xingu River 2026 season fishing reports which include highlights and statistics from the season. The Xingu River is the best payara destination on the planet and an amazing environment with lots of runs, rapids and pools with very consistent fishing. As well as payara there are more than ten other species anglers can target on the fly such as peacock bass, wolfish, matrincha, pacu, bicuda, and surubí.
Xingu – Week 2: 30 May to 6 June
A noticeable change took place on the river during the second week of the season. As the water began to drop, visibility improved day after day, opening new opportunities for our anglers and creating the right conditions for a very productive week. We welcomed seven guests from the United States, and from the first moments on the water, the group found steady action, strong fish, and the kind of variety that makes this destination so unique.
The days were marked by clearer water, topwater strikes, powerful species, and a special moment connected to Kayapó tradition. After the group received traditional Kayapó body painting, the fishing seemed to change. The action improved, the catches became even stronger, and the forest gave the week an energy that everyone could feel.
Fishing Highlights
With the water dropping and clearing, the fishing became more visual and more dynamic.
Peacock bass were one of the standout species of the week, showing vibrant colors, excellent sizes, and strong numbers. Bicudas also kept the action alive with fast attacks, while payara continued to bring intensity to the river. Matrinxã added even more movement in the clear water, and the catfish species brought weight and power to the report, with beautiful jaú and pirarara landed throughout the week.
Another major highlight was the appearance of giant wolf fish. These powerful predators surprised the group with explosive behaviour and impressive jumps, creating some of the most exciting moments of the trip.
Fishing Stats
Total fish landed: 217
Payara: 29
Peacock Bass: 92
Bicuda: 42
Jaú: 12
Pirarara: 6
Wolf Fish: 14
Matrinxã: 22
Beyond the Fishing
This trip also carried something that goes beyond numbers. The traditional Kayapó painting became one of the most memorable moments of the experience. More than a cultural activity, it seemed to bring a new rhythm to the days on the water. The group felt connected to the forest, to the river, and to the knowledge of the people who have lived in this territory for generations.
The magic of the forest seemed to work. After the painting, the catches improved, beautiful fish appeared on the surface, and the energy of the trip became even more special.
Xingu – Week 1: 23 to 29 May
The first week of the season at Xingu Lodge opened with strong fishing, great moments on the water, and the unmistakable atmosphere that makes this river so different from anywhere else in the Amazon.
We welcomed a group of six American anglers, including some familiar friends returning to these waters. From the start, the river delivered the kind of variety that defines this destination: clear action, powerful fish, and a rhythm that kept every day on the water exciting.
The week brought together multiple species, great moments with the group, and the unmistakable atmosphere of a river surrounded by forest, wildlife, and ancient knowledge from the indigenous partners. It was a complete Xingu experience, shaped not only by the fishing, but by everything that happens around it.
Fishing Highlights
Fishing remained productive throughout the week, with consistent action in different environments and several species responding well.
Peacock bass were present in strong numbers, bringing explosive strikes and memorable fights. Bicudas added speed and aggression to the week, while matrinxã kept the action dynamic in the clearer waters. The group also landed beautiful catfish species, including jaú and pirarara (red tail catfish), bringing even more diversity to an already remarkable opening week.
But the true highlight was the payara activity. Seeing these fish feeding on the surface is not an everyday event, and this week gave every angler in the group the chance to experience it firsthand.
Fishing Stats
Total fish landed: 183
Payara: 25
Peacock Bass: 80
Bicuda: 35
Matrinxã: 30
Pacu: 14
Jaú: 8
Pirarara: 5
Beyond the Fishing
Guests experienced the remarkable diversity of the Xingu ecosystem through guided jungle walks and cultural exchanges with the Kayapó people. Accompanied by local Indigenous leaders, they explored the forest, learned about traditional uses of native plants, and gained a deeper understanding of the relationship between the Kayapó and their territory. Encounters with wildlife throughout the week added another dimension to the journey, reinforcing that Xingu is as much about immersion in one of the world’s most intact wilderness areas as it is about the fishing itself.
If you have found these Xingu River Lodge 2026 fishing reports interesting and would like more information then please do not hesitate to contact us by EMAIL or call our office on +44(0)1980 847 389
