Summer is here, and with it begins the fishing season in the iconic lakes of central Mexico. The allure of these lakes, besides the great fishing they offer, is their proximity to emblematic Mexican cities that combine a cosmopolitan dynamic with a rich historical and cultural legacy. So, if you want to fish this summer, get ready to visit Guadalajara, Aguascalientes, Querétaro, or Durango. Here are their lakes:
1. The Iconic Cristo el Roto Lake: Where Everyone Wants to Fish
In central Mexico, just an hour (43 miles) from the colonial city of Aguascalientes, is Cristo El Roto Lake, the most emblematic in the center region. Here, no one can resist fishing its monster bass, which average about 6.6 pounds. In the heart of the lake stands a small island with the Cristo Roto, an imposing 49 ft. sculpture that gives the lake its nickname.
The good size of the bass in this lake is due to the abundance of a water plant called hydrilla, which provides a constant food source for the fish and offers excellent cover and structure for fishing. This makes it an extraordinary lake for fishing and a favorite destination for organizing fishing tournaments.
If you love fishing, there’s a beautiful and comfortable lodge with cabins right by the water, excellent guides, and great regional food and wine. If you are in Aguascalientes, the lake is perfect for a day trip, as you can go fishing and return the same day.
2. Zimapan: Big Bass, Crystal Clear Waters, and Unique Landscapes
One of the most emblematic lakes in the Bajío is undoubtedly Zimapán Lake. This lake is an hour and a half (89 miles) from the city of Querétaro. The lake is surrounded by canyons: Infiernillo, Las Brujas, Epazote, and a monolith called El Vigilante, which is over 49 ft high, offering an impressive view of the lake.
Summer and this lake go hand in hand; the excellent weather allows you to enjoy its fishing season to the fullest. Fishing is incredible in its multiple bays. This lake tests your versatility as an angler, but it will reward you with trophy bass.
It has the same fishing dynamics as lakes El Salto or Bacurato, meaning challenging fishing sessions with 5-8 catches per session, but its bass are the kind that could break your personal records. The lake has boats, equipment, and guides who have participated in international tournaments.
Additionally, Querétaro offers everything a cosmopolitan and historic city could: good connectivity, food, lodging, and top-notch historical and cultural sites.
3. Bayacora Lake in Durango: A Hidden Gem in Plain Sight
Summer heats up at Bayacora Lake. Just 20 minutes from the city of Durango, you’ll find an ideal lake for catching excellent bass. This impressive lake, surrounded by forests, pines, and majestic rocks, offers a variety of fishing spots spread across rocky areas, shallows, and points.
Bayacora Lake has particular characteristics that every angler should know:
- Fishing is more abundant in the afternoon sessions (from 3 to 8 pm) than in the morning.
- The average size of the bass is larger compared to other lakes in the region, ranging between 4 and 8 lbs. However, its catch rate is moderate, so you’ll need to work hard to get them.
- Most sport fishermen enjoy practicing catch and release.
We recommend eating at the restaurant on the lake’s shores, where you can enjoy an impressive view and try specialties like fried mojarra, ceviche, caldo levanta muertos, and irresistible gorditas de picadillo rojo.
4. Lake Chapala: Mexico's Largest Lake, Where You Can Fly Fish for Bass
Summer comes in full swing in Guadalajara, and with it, the fishing season begins at Lake Chapala, which is just a “stone’s throw” (1h 17m) from the city, in the magical town of Ajijic. Here, you fish among small tule islands, an aquatic plant that serves as a refuge and feeding place for bass.
Fishing in Chapala is very fun; you can fish in different spots like Scorpion Island, among fences flooded by the lake, on the shore, or in the middle of the lake. Additionally, because of the shape of Lake Chapala, which in many areas resembles a gigantic flat, you can fly fish for bass, making it the only place in the country where you can do so.
Fishing in Chapala is ideal for a day trip, as it consists of a single long fishing session (commonly there are two sessions in all lakes), starting at 8 am and ending at 3 pm. This allows you to leave Guadalajara at 7 (without having to wake up too early) and return well-fed before evening falls.
These four iconic lakes with summer seasons demonstrate that in Mexico, the bass fishing season never ends. These four spots carry the mantra of conservation, as catch and release is practiced in all of them. So, grab your rod, a good hat, and enjoy summer bass fishing in Mexico.
Promoter of fishing in Mexico, co-founder and director of marketing and opening of fishing spots and specialist in digital marketing for adventure tourism and fishing.
