Bass Fishing Vacation Location
Where is Lake Mateos?
Mateos (Ma-tay-oz) is located in the Sierra Madre Mountains of northwestern, Mexico approximately 30 miles northeast of Culiacan, the capital city of the state of Sinaloa. The nearest small village is El Varejonal, at the base of the dam. A few miles away is the larger village of Jesus Maria. The lake’s official name is Adolfo Lopez Mateos in case you’re looking for it on a map. The dam was completed in November 1964. The altitude is 106 meters. The dam length is 750 meters. According to a plaque at the dam it irrigates 120,000 hectares and has a capacity of 3,160,000,000 meters. Overall size at full pool is estimated at approximately 55,000 acres. The Mexican National Water Commission reports that of the 50 largest reservoirs in Mexico, Lake Mateos ranks No. 9. (Huites is 13, Comedero 16, Baccarac 17, and El Salta 40). The major tributary is the Humaya River. The only existing fish hatchery in the state of Sinaloa is located at Lake Mateos. In the mid 1980’s the first Florida bass were introduced to the hatchery and to the lake. Within a few short years, there was an abundance of Florida bass along with some F-1 intergrades, (which are the cross between the Florida bass and the native bass that is the primary species in the lake). Both the Florida bass and the F-1 intergrades have been known to grow to monster proportions.
How do I get to Lake Mateos?
You’ll fly by commercial airlines to Culiacan International Airport (CUL). Upon arrival, you’ll be met at the gate by our English-speaking representative, who will shuttle you to the lodge. Your package includes round-trip transportation from the Culiacan International Airport. We do have some requests for transportation from Mazatlan. We can make these arrangements but it is at considerable extra expense. Culiacan International Airport serves private plane owners or charters as well.
Historical Information
The original camp on Lake Mateos was known as “Arturo’s Fishing Camp”. The camp was originally constructed approximately 20 years ago and many American anglers visited the lake in 1986 and 1987. Around the same time, Fishing Facts magazine reported Lake Mateos as the best lake for quality bass fishing in the history of Mexico. (Arturo Espinosa is the individual responsible for the stocking of Lakes El Salto, Comedero and Baccarac, all from the fishery at Lake Mateos). Big lakes produce big bass and Lake Mateos is such an impoundment.
Lake Mateos closed for dam repairs on April 30, 1987, temporarily ending the fishing. The camp re-opened in 1990 and during this time period anglers experienced unprecedented largemouth bass fishing. The camp was closed in 1994 when a prolonged drought caused local authorities to drain the already low lake down to within 10 percent of capacity. The lake eventually refilled to normal levels, but was not fished again by American anglers until 2004.
More information about Bass Fishing & Equipment | Accommodations | Bass Tournaments
| Join Our Mailing List |
