Freshwater

Midas cichlid (mojarra)

Mojarra (mojarra de lago, cíclido Midas)

Amphilophus citrinellus

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

½–1½ lb.

Depth

2–20 ft.

Best time

Daytime.

Found in

1 area

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Deep, round cichlid that comes in two looks: most are gray-olive with dark bars and a dark blotch on the side, while some are bright gold, orange or white. Big males grow a hump on the head.
Typical size: ½–1½ lb.
Maximum size: About 1 ft and around 2 lb.
Diet: Snails, insects, small fish, plants and algae.
Behavior: Lives around rocks in lakes; pairs guard their nest and young aggressively.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Central America Lakes & Rivers. Lakes Nicaragua, Managua, Masaya and Apoyo and the Río San Juan basin in Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Habitat: Lakes Nicaragua, Managua, Masaya and Apoyo and the Río San Juan basin in Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Depth: 2–20 ft.
Fishing depth: 3–12 ft along rocky shores.
Best season: All year.
Best time: Daytime.
Best tides: No tide; wind and water level matter more.
Best weather / conditions: Calm days.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Line Lures Jigs Hooks Bait Tool

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Lakes Nicaragua, Managua, Masaya and Apoyo and the Río San Juan basin in Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Rig up: Light spinning rod. Not needed.
Pick your bait: Worms, small pieces of fish and bread dough. Lures: Small jigs and spinners.
Fish it: Fish worms or small baits near rocks from shore or a small boat.
Time it: Daytime. No tide; wind and water level matter more.

Fishing techniques: Fish worms or small baits near rocks from shore or a small boat.
BigJoe's tip: A favorite catch around the islands near Granada and Ometepe on Lake Nicaragua.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Fried whole (mojarra frita) is a classic Nicaraguan dish.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Spiny fins.
Regulations: Follow the local license rules. Each country sets its own license rules: Costa Rica requires a fishing license (INCOPESCA) for sea and fresh water, and Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico and the Caribbean islands have their own rules. National parks and reserves often have special limits — check local rules before you fish.
Conservation: Common in its native lakes.

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Sources & photo credits