001941 Visit since August 30, 2001

Cajon de Peñas
Provided by: Marla Hoover

Less than 100 kilometers south of Puerto Vallarta is the most pristine and beautiful lake in all of Mexico if not the northern hemisphere, Cajón De Peñas. The lake was completed 25 years ago as a major irrigation project. Water canals serve the entire Tomatlan region as a source of water for crops and animals. The lake itself has over 7,800 surface acres with two rivers that feed into it. Cajón De Peñas is dotted with islands, some large enough for camp grounds, others just oasis for palm trees. It contains several variety of fish and shell fish, including Langostino, which can weigh up to1 kilogram, Talapia and two types of "Lobina" or Bass, Florida and Black. The bass have been planted by sportsmen from Mexico and the United States over the last 15 years and can grow to be over four kilograms.

There are two fishing tournaments each year that are sponsored by the Guadalajara Bass Fishing Club. Fishing enthusiasts from all over the world converge on this famed lake to try their luck in catching the largest of these elusive creatures. Fishing licenses are required to fish either daily or annual and can be obtained at the Seamanarp office in Puerto Vallarta. The tournaments and most of the fishing activities are coordinated at the Puerto Vallarta Bass Club located at the Lake. The operators are; Vickie Barragan-Sutherland and her father, Teadololo Barragan. There are local guides available with their own boats.. Overnight accommodations are also available on a limited bases but here is plenty of room for camping.

Besides the multitude of fish that are found in this huge lake there are other wildlife that inhabit the area. Panthers, jaguars, mountain lions, deer, duck and wild boar have all been spotted on Lake Cajón De Peñas. There are over 150 different species of birds that dwell on the lake including migrating ducks from the United States and Canada. Which draw ornithologist from all over the globe.

Cajón De Peñas also has petro-glyphs - rock paintings, rock walled ancient villages, gold mines, and waterfalls. However, the evening brings the greatest gifts of the lake. By taking a late afternoon boat tour of the lake into to tributaries and rivers that flow into Cajun De Penas, visitors can view the islands, mountain ranges, the jungle and on the way back the most spectacular sunsets ever seen. After night fall millions of stars and constellations are visible, including the entire milky way. Cajón De Peñas is one of the most beautiful natural areas in Mexico unspoiled by civilization and teeming with wildlife. To reach the Puerto Vallarta Bass Club on Lake Cajón De Peñas take federal highway 200 south towards Barra Navidad, turn at El Tule, approximately 80 kilometers from PV, turn left, travel another 18 kilometers on a paved to gravel road look for signs.