Presa Vicente Guerrero lake (Las Adjuntas)

This truly magical lake is located in the northeastern part of Mexico in the state of Tamaulipas. Most of all this place will appeal to those who like to hunt birds and catch bass. To locals Guerrero lake is also known as Las Adjuntas lake. That is because the original name of the area where the three rivers met before the dam was built, now underwater.

The lake characteristics of Lake Guerrero

• Length is 23 miles
• Width is 3.2 miles and 12 miles at the widest place
• Square is 111360 acres

Trophy black bass: the cathedral of lobina fishing

For a generation of anglers, Lake Guerrero was Mexican bass fishing. When the dam flooded thousands of acres of mesquite and brush in 1970, it created an almost perfect largemouth nursery, and within a few years the lake was famous around the world as the “cathedral” of lobina — black bass — fishing. The numbers became legend: hundred-fish days, ten-pounders that barely raised an eyebrow, and a Mexican five-bass record of more than 22 kilograms. Exclusive lodges with names like Big Bass and El Sargento flew foreign anglers and politicians in by seaplane for the weekend. The lake later went through leaner years as conditions and pressure took their toll, but it has never lost its bones, and in recent seasons the state of Tamaulipas has been restocking lobina by the thousand to bring the glory days back. It still fishes best from about October through April; you will need a Mexican sport-fishing licence, easily arranged through any of the lodges. Anglers chasing Mexican giants often pair it with the Sinaloa legend, Lake El Salto, or the border classic, Falcon.

The drowned town of Padilla and Emperor Iturbide

Lake Guerrero keeps a remarkable secret under its surface. The colonial town of San Antonio de Padilla, founded in 1749 by José de Escandón, once stood here — and it was on its plaza, in 1824, that Agustín de Iturbide, the soldier who won Mexico its independence and briefly ruled it as its first emperor, was put before a firing squad and shot. When the reservoir filled in 1970 the whole town, church and all, vanished beneath the water, and its people were resettled in a new village, Nueva Padilla, on the shore. Yet the lake never quite swallowed it: the weathered shell of the eighteenth-century church of San Antonio still breaks the surface, its arches rising from the water like a ghost — one of the most haunting and photogenic sights anywhere on a Mexican lake.

Planning a trip to Lake Guerrero

This is fishing country first and foremost, so most visitors come on a package through one of the lakeside lodges, which handle boats, guides, meals and licences. The simplest way in is to fly to Ciudad Victoria and transfer the short distance out to Padilla and the water’s edge. Aim for the cooler, drier months from late autumn into spring for the best bass action and the most comfortable weather; the height of summer is hot and slow. Even if you are not casting a line, it is worth taking a boat out to drift past the ruins of old Padilla and to watch the herons and kingfishers working the flooded timber along the banks.

History of lake

The lake was built in 1970 as an artificial reservoir. This made it an indispensable source of water for irrigation across the region. In Mexico, lakes are functional and of great importance for irrigation systems.

Lake Guerrero has a fairly large coverage area and is large in size from other lakes.

Wild nature

Lake Guerrero cannot boast of an abundance of fauna. But there are beautiful bays with stumps where you can take cool photos.

In fact, Lake Guerrero is replete with a variety of birds and lake dwellers. Among the birds, you can meet representatives of the species of waterfowl.

• Dwell on the lake
• Ducks
• Pigeons
• Quail

Of the fish, perch and big bass are the most popular fish. The largest number of fish can be found in the fall season.

How to spend time on Lake Guerrero

Of course, this lake is just made for wonderful fishing. Experienced fishermen and newcomers to this business must understand that a license is required for fishing. Pay attention to this and look at the site to clarify all the information. Mexico’s National Aquaculture and Fishing Commission.

On average, the catch of a large bass can be up to 100 fish, and sometimes more! The weight of one fish reaches as much as 10 pounds. If you love fishing so much, then you definitely need to come here.

By the way, there is a lesson for hunters. In the morning, the hunt for quails and wild ducks is especially good. And at lunch, you can cook a delicious bird on the coals.

Of course, this is a wild environment and on Lake Guerrero, you will not find many beautiful monuments. But you can walk along the coast, ride a bike, have a picnic and capture great landscapes and moments of relaxation.

Beautiful cities around

18 miles from Lake Guerrero is the wonderful Mexican city of Ciudad Victoria. It is a cozy and small town with a population of 300 000 people. As a rule, the weather here always pleases with sunny and windless days, which means it is a good place for walks and excursions.

What do you need to pay attention to first? First, this is the famous Recreational Park Zoo and Tamatán. You will get acquainted with rare and wild animals, as well as plants. The zoo is ready to receive visitors from 10 to 18 every day. Check the cost of entry on the site.

The second is the Natural History Museum of Tamaulipas Tamux. Very exciting and interesting place for children and family excursions. The museum is open from 10 to 6 pm. The entrance is paid and its cost is better to find out by phone or already in place.

And thirdly, this is another wonderful La Loma Park. There are many playgrounds for children and for picnics. The park is open from 8 to 22 hours every day and the entrance to the park is free.

As you can see, even in such a small town there is something to see and you can find ways to have a good time!

These sights are within walking distance of each other in the central part of the city of Ciudad Victoria, so you will not get lost in the route.

Good conditions for life

If you are planning a long-term trip, it would be best to spend time at the Big Bass Lodge. The hotel offers cozy little houses on the lake. There are a total of 17 rooms for four people.

In the bar, you can eat tasty food, and in the recreation area you can play billiards and work out on weight-lifting equipment. For example, three days of fishing with meals and a guide cost $ 1 100 for two. Reservations must be made in advance and not less than 30 days before the trip.

Now those who really want to stay here will be happy. Ciudad Victoria has a wonderful climate that will suit even the most demanding travelers. In addition, the prices are very different. Accommodation can be found absolutely in any price range starting from budget options and ending with luxury offers.

Here you can buy such a cozy house with several floors for 51 300 US dollars. Everything you need for a better life, you will definitely find here!

The best way to get to Lake Guerrero

For foreign tourists

Very lucky tourists from the United States. Lake Guerrero is 190 miles from the US border. Your trip will take only 3 hours by car to the coast of the lake.

From anywhere in the world you can reach the lake by plane. The nearest airport is Ciudad Victoria. This is Ciudad Victoria International Airport. Flights from different countries depart regularly and without problems. By the way, the city center to Ciudad Victoria can be reached by taxi in 30 minutes.

For locals

Public transport does not allow to fully reach the lake. In this regard, the best option is to take a taxi from any nearby town, for example from Nueva Villa de Padilla. The cost of 1 km costs about 0.5 US dollars.

Useful links and contacts

• Mexico’s National Aquaculture and Fishing Commission –http://www.sportfishinginmexico.com/licences/
• Recreational Park Zoo and Tamatán – tamaulipas.gob.mx
• Big bass lodge –http://www.lagovistalodge.com/

Frequently asked questions about Lake Guerrero

Where is Lake Guerrero (Presa Vicente Guerrero)?

In the municipality of Padilla in Tamaulipas, north-eastern Mexico, about an hour’s drive from the state capital, Ciudad Victoria.

Is Lake Guerrero good for bass fishing?

Famously so. It was once rated among the best trophy black bass (lobina) lakes in the world, with flooded timber, big numbers and ten-pound-plus fish, and it is currently being restocked to revive that reputation.

When is the best time to fish Lake Guerrero?

Roughly October to April, when temperatures ease and the bass move shallow to feed and spawn. The fishing season runs year-round, but summer is hot and slow.

What is the drowned church at Lake Guerrero?

It is the eighteenth-century church of San Antonio de Padilla. The old town was flooded when the reservoir filled in 1970, but the church’s ruined shell still rises above the water.

Who was executed at Padilla?

Agustín de Iturbide, the hero of Mexican independence and the country’s first emperor, was executed by firing squad at Padilla in 1824 — the town that now lies beneath Lake Guerrero.

Do you need a licence to fish Lake Guerrero?

Yes, a Mexican sport-fishing licence is required. The lakeside fishing lodges normally arrange this for their guests.

How do you get to Lake Guerrero?

The easiest route is to fly into Ciudad Victoria and then transfer the short distance out to Padilla and the lake’s fishing lodges.

Are there fishing lodges at Lake Guerrero?

Yes — the lake is ringed by angler-focused lodges that provide boats, guides, meals and licences, a tradition going back to the days when guests arrived by seaplane.