In the last decades, main actions related to fisheries management in Brazilian reservoirs (regulations, stocking, and construction of fish ladders) were, in general, not successful. Reasons for that were shortage of scientific information, limitations of financial and human resources, and absence of monitoring. Apparently these actions were based on a paradigm ('biological deserts') which revealed itself misleading. The tendency of supporting the actions according to the ongoing paradigm ('biomanipulation') seems to be promising. This paradigm incorporates a more holistic view of the fisheries (environment, fishermen and fish) and considers monitoring and feedback. Moreover, for an effective management the concept of hydrographic basins and multiple uses must be considered, recognizing biological, political, and socio-economic limitations in the decision making process