Pejerrey (Argentine silverside)

Long, slim, see-through-looking fish with a bright silver stripe along each side, two small dorsal fins, a small upturned mouth and a forked tail.

8–14 in and under 1 lb.

About 20 in (50 cm); a fish over 2 lb is a trophy.

Plankton, small shrimp, insects and tiny fish.

Swims in schools in open water, often just under the surface; bites best in cool water.

Found from Paraná & Uruguay Rivers, Paraguay, Argentina & Uruguay Lakes, Southern Brazil, Uruguay & Argentina, Bolivia & Peru Lakes & Rivers and Andes Lakes & Rivers. Native to the Río de la Plata basin and the pampas lagoons of Buenos Aires province (Chascomús, Lobos and many more). Stocked in reservoirs of Argentina, Chile and southern Brazil, and in Lake Titicaca.

Native to the Río de la Plata basin and the pampas lagoons of Buenos Aires province (Chascomús, Lobos and many more). Stocked in reservoirs of Argentina, Chile and southern Brazil, and in Lake Titicaca.

2–10 ft.

1–6 ft under the surface.

Autumn, winter and early spring (about April to October); the big pampas lagoon tournaments are in winter.

All day in cool weather; best in the morning.

No tide; wind and water level matter more.

A light ripple on the water is good; strong wind makes the floats hard to read.

Small strips of fish (mojarrita), small shrimp or worms.

Small spoons, tiny jigs and small flies.

Long 12–15 ft light float rod (caña de pejerrey) or a light spinning rod.

Small size 6–10 hooks, several on one line.

4–8 lb mono.

2–4 lb mono for the droppers.

Use a line of 3–5 small floats (a 'boyas' rig) with baited droppers set at different depths, and cast or drift it downwind; when a float dips, lift gently.

Chum with soaked bread or ground fish to hold the school near your floats.

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.

Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.

Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.

Delicate white meat: classic as 'milanesa de pejerrey' (breaded and fried) or fried whole.

Winter on the pampas lagoons is cold and windy — dress warm and wear a life jacket in small boats.

Provinces set seasons and limits, and some lagoons close for spawning in spring. Every country requires a fishing license (in Brazil, the Licença de Pesca Amadora), each Argentine province and Brazilian state adds its own rules, and most rivers close during the spawning season. Indigenous lands and strict reserves are closed to outside anglers without permits.

Introduced pejerrey compete with native fish in some lakes, like Titicaca.