Frequently Asked Questions About Our Mexico / Lake Mateos Fishing Trips

Details about our lodge, trip itineraries, costs, tackle, and other common subjects can be found on different pages of this web site. Following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions that we receive regarding Lake Mateos.
Where is Lake Mateos?
How do I get to Mateos?
Does someone meet me at the airport?
What is the fishing season?
What can I expect in terms of average numbers and average size?
How large are the bass?
What is the lake record?
Can I bring any fish home?
Will I fish with a guide?
Do you have fishing gear that I can use?
What fishing gear should I bring?
What should I bring besides fishing gear?
What are the boats like?
Do you have bottled water to drink?
Can I brush my teeth with tap water?
What is the food like at the lodge?
What is there for a non-angler to do?
What is the weather like?
Are there many women on your trips?
Is there laundry service at the lodge?
Is a deposit required with my reservation?
Who makes my airline reservations?
Do you accept credit cards?
How far in advance should I reserve a trip to Lake Mateos?
Are Group discounts avaliable?
How far in advance should I make airline reservations?
What’s the bug/insect situation?
Do I need shots or pills to visit this area of Mexico?
Do I need a passport or visa?
Is there an age limitation?
What do you do for a medical emergency?
Do I need a converter for electric outlets at the lodge?
Will I be able to reach my office or family while at the lodge?
Is it safe at the lodge?
How much cash should I bring? Should I bring traveler’s checks or exchange money?
What is the tipping protocol?
What if I don’t speak Spanish?

Where is Lake Mateos?
Lake Mateos is located in the Sierra Madres 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. The lake’s official name is Presa Adolfo Lopez Mateos (in case you’re looking for it on a map).



How do I get to Mateos?
You’ll fly by commercial airlines to Culiacan, and then be driven to the lodge. You may make your own airline reservations, or we can recommend an agent for you who is up-to-date on the lowest fares. All ground transportation is included from Culiacan.



Does someone meet me at the airport?
Upon arrival in either airport, you will be met at the arrival gate by our English-speaking, Wet-A-Line Tours’ representative, who will shuttle you to the lodge. The drive to the lodge takes 45 minutes from Culiacan, 2 hours from Los Mochis and 3 hours from Mazatlan All routes are on four-lane, blacktop roads



What is the fishing season?
We fish from mid October through June. When is the best time, and when do the bass spawn? Anytime can be good, especially for a large bass. Usually you catch greater numbers of bass in the early part of the season, when lake levels are at their highest (post rainy season). This is when you’re likely to have the best topwater action. The period from after New Year’s into early April is when bass spawn here, with February and March the main spawning period; thus, heavier fish are especially possible then. The post-spawn, lower-water, hotter-weather period from late April through May is overlooked by many because they are fishing seriously on their home waters, but big fish can be concentrated in deep spots, and this is when the odds improve for getting a trophy bass. However, some bass at Lake Mateos spawn on each new & full moon.



What can I expect in terms of average numbers and average size?
This varies with time of year and skill levels. Generally speaking, good anglers can expect to catch 50 to 100 fish per person per day. One thing that’s certain: no matter where you fish on the lake, any bite could be from a true trophy fish.



How large are the bass?
This past season produced a lot of 10-pounders, as well as a good number of fish from 12 to 16 pounds. Last season produced fish to 13 pounds, several over 10 lbs. and over 60% of the customers caught fish in the 8 lb. class.



What is the lake record?
It is 16+ pounds, which was re-established in May 2006.



Can I bring any fish home?
No. We practice catch-and-release and our guides are not permitted to let clients kill a fish. We encourage you to bring a good camera to record your catch. If you want to have a replica mount made, we can refer you to taxidermists who have done excellent work for our clients. Modern day replicas last much longer than skin-mounted fish.



Will I fish with a guide?
Yes, you will fish two guests per boat with a local guide that knows this lake extremely well.



Do you have fishing gear that I can use?
We provide free use of well-tested premium Pflueger and Shakespeare bait casting rods for those who don’t want the hassle of traveling with rod tubes. You’re welcome to bring your own rods, if you like.



What fishing gear should I bring?
You should bring your own reels and lures, although we do have a limited supply of gear in our tackle shop. Click here for a detailed list of fishing tackle needs.


What should I bring besides fishing gear?
A pair of compact binoculars will help you get a closer look at wildlife and the mountaintops, and, of course, a camera adds to the special moments and memories. Feel free to bring a fish scale. Sunscreen is absolutely necessary, however, and lightweight tropical clothing is a plus. Bugs are not normally a problem, but it is always a good idea to carry repellant for no-seeums. What are the boats like?
Our boats are 18-foot, American-made Logic fiberglass bass boats with two swivel seats. They have 55 or 65 hp Johnson or Mercury motors, plus Lowrance sonar and MinnKota trolling motors. All boats are equipped with life jackets, nets, and drink coolers. Do you have bottled water to drink?
Yes. We provide bottled water in your room, while fishing, with meals, etc., and always have a plentiful supply. Our guides fill their coolers with ice, bottled water, and other beverages of your choice every time they leave the dock to go fishing. We urge you to drink plenty of water during your stay. Can I brush my teeth with tap water?
No, we suggest that you use bottled water which is provided in your room.

What is the food like at the lodge?
It’s as good as it gets in any Mexican bass camp. Our chef has cooked for American clients for over 20 years and understands their likes and dislikes. We serve three meals per day in our glass-enclosed, palapa-covered dining room overlooking the river. During your stay we’ll serve steak, fish, shrimp, barbecued chicken, and Mexican specialties, plus pre-meal nachos every evening. Water, soda, beer, and margaritas are ample and complimentary. Our manager will gladly stop so you may purchase any specialty liquors you may desire.


What is there for a non-angler to do?
Lake Mateos Bass Lodge is located in a somewhat remote area and there is really little else to do except go out on the water and fish. On occasion we have guests who do little or no fishing, and choose to spend much of their time relaxing with a book at the lodge. Some people accompany their spouse/friend on the water in the mornings, and relax at the lodge in the afternoon. The wildlife and bird watching at the lake, however, are fabulous.



What is the weather like?
From October until January, Lake Mateos usually has a high of 80 to 85 degrees and a low of 55 to 65 degrees. From January until the end of May, the high is from 85 to 95 degrees and the low is from 65 to 70. You can count on it being delightful in the mornings and hot at mid-day. For most of the season the chance of having rain is slim to none, although chances increase later in the season. We do however recommend bringing a light-weight rain suit.



Are there many women on your trips?
A few of our clients are female, many of who accompany their spouse, boyfriend, or father. Some are avid and accomplished anglers (including some members of the women’s professional bass fishing circuit), some are casual anglers, and a few do not fish at all. Weput couples in private rooms that we have, space permitting.



Is there laundry service at the lodge?
Members of our staff can do a small amount of laundry for you at no charge, although a gratuity for this is expected. Is a deposit required with my reservation?
Click here to see schedule, rate, and deposit information. A 50% deposit is due upon booking, and payment is due in full 60 days prior to departure. Is airfare and ground transportation included in the price? Airfare is not included. Our fishing packages include ground transportation to/from the Culiacan airport in Mexico; accommodations, meals, and beverages at the lodge; and guide service, boats, and gasoline. The only additional expenses are gratuities to your guide and the staff.



Who makes my airline reservations?
You may make your own airline reservations, or we can recommend an agent for you who is up-to-date on the lowest fares.



Do you accept credit cards?
We accept credit cards (Visa & Mastercard are accepted. )



How far in advance should I reserve a trip to Lake Mateos?
Wet-A-Line Tours enjoys a high repeat clientele rate. Because of this, and the fact that we have a limited season and space, we recommend reserving at least several months in advance. Many of our guests reserve a space for next year immediately after completing the current year’s trip. Please call to check on available space at anytime, however.



How far in advance should I make airline reservations?
As soon as you can select a week and send in your deposit. Do not wait until the last minute. The sooner you make air reservations, the more likely you’ll get flights with good connection times.



Are Group discounts avaliable?
Yes, discounts are available for groups. Please check with our office for details.



What’s the bug/insect situation?
Normally there is no insect problem at the lake. But on occasion there are “no-seeum’s”. we do reccommend bringing a repellent.



Do I need shots or pills to visit this area of Mexico?
No.



Do I need a passport or visa?
Under new federal regulations, Americans now need a passport to visit Mexico.



Is there an age limitation?
We request that guests be a minimum of 16 years old, but depending on the group there can be an exception for children aged 13 and over.



What do you do for a medical emergency?
We have emergency medical supplies at the lodge for routine needs. There is always a vehicle available at the lodge, so we can transport someone to medical care if the need arises. There are large hospitals and/or clinics less than one hour away in Culiacan, and a doctor in the small adjacent town.



Do I need a converter for electric outlets at the lodge?
No.



Will I be able to reach my office or family while at the lodge?
There is a telephone and fax machine at the lodge, cell phones do not have reception there. Because of the high cost to us for this phone, there is a per-minute charge to use it. Some of our guests bring a satellite phone with them, and you are welcome to do so. Satellite phones may be rented in the U.S. prior to departure.



Is it safe at the lodge?
Our clients feel very safe at the lodge; our crew is vigilant on a 24/7 basis, and we have a security watchman on a 24- hour basis. We have to date not had safety or theft issues at Lake Mateos. That said, we do not recommend bringing valuable jewelry or more cash than is necessary for your trip.



How much cash should I bring? Should I bring traveler’s checks or exchange money?
You probably will not need more than $300 cash per person, most of which will be used for tips. Traveler’s checks are not necessary, and should not be given to your guide or the camp staff. You do not need to exchange U.S. dollars for Mexican pesos, and you can use U.S. dollars for tipping.



What is the tipping protocol?
The average recommended minimum guide tip is $15.00 per fisherman each day. In addition to this, we suggest a lodge tip of about $50-$100 per person to be divided among the cooks, waiters, maids, drivers, and camp manager. If a particular camp employee goes out of his or her way to make your trip better, and you wish to tip that person, make sure you give it to him or her personally. Tip your guide separately at the end of your fishing trip. Camp tips should be given to the manager just prior to departure.



What if I don’t speak Spanish?
You do not need to speak Spanish, although it helps. In your booking packet, we’ll provide you with a translation list of common Spanish words and terms so that you can communicate better, especially with your guide. Most of our guides understand some English. Our camp manager, cook, head guide and transportation personnel all speak English and some of our other staff members understand English, so you’ll be fine even if you don’t understand or speak Spanish.