Fishing Forecast: El Novillo

El Novillo, officially Presa Plutarco Elías Calles, is a large reservoir in the Sonoran desert on the Yaqui River. Surrounded by desert landscapes with cacti and arid mountains, this dam offers a unique fishing experience in a completely different setting from the tropical reservoirs of Sinaloa.

El Novillo's waters are exceptionally clear, with visibility exceeding 25 feet under optimal conditions. Water temperature varies significantly between seasons, from 54°F in winter to 86°F in summer.

A special feature of El Novillo is the presence of striped bass in addition to largemouth bass. Striped bass can reach impressive sizes and provide a spectacular fight.

Peak season is spring (March-May) and fall (October-November), when water temperatures are in the ideal range and bass feed actively.

El Novillo's dual-species fishery of largemouth and striped bass makes it unique in the Mexican fishing landscape. Anglers seeking variety beyond the standard Mexican bass experience will find El Novillo deeply rewarding. The desert canyon scenery rivals anything in the American Southwest, with saguaro cacti dotting the hillsides above emerald waters.

The local Yaqui communities have fished these waters for generations and possess deep knowledge of the reservoir's seasonal patterns. Working with a local guide who understands the unique behavior of El Novillo's striped bass population is highly recommended for first-time visitors.

March through May is El Novillo's prime season. As the Sonoran desert warms, water temperatures climb from winter lows of 58°F into the ideal 66-74°F spawning range. This triggers aggressive pre-spawn feeding along the clear rocky shorelines. Largemouth bass push into 4-10 foot depths on gravel transitions, while striped bass become active along the main lake points. Jerkbaits and finesse worms in natural colors are deadly in the crystal-clear water.

October and November provide a secondary peak as temperatures retreat from summer extremes. The fall turnover reinvigorates bass that have been sluggish through the brutal Sonoran summer. Bass feed aggressively on threadfin shad schools, creating surface-busting blitzes that are visible from considerable distances. Topwater walking baits and lipless crankbaits match the feeding frenzy perfectly.

June through September is the toughest period. Water temperatures soar past 85°F, and bass retreat to the deepest canyon structure available. The saving grace is the early morning window from 5:00-7:00 AM when surface temperatures briefly drop. Dedicated anglers target striped bass with vertical jigging techniques in 30-50 foot depths during this period.

December through February sees the coldest conditions. Water drops below 60°F in the exposed desert reservoir, slowing metabolism significantly. Slow-rolling spinnerbaits and blade baits worked painfully slowly along 15-25 foot drop-offs produce scattered but often quality catches.

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) at El Novillo are well-adapted to the desert environment, displaying vivid green coloration from the clear water and rocky habitat. Average size runs 2-4 pounds, with 5-7 pounders available for skilled anglers targeting structure transitions. The bass relate primarily to rocky points, boulder fields, and the few areas with submerged vegetation. In the ultra-clear conditions, light line (8-10 lb fluorocarbon) and natural presentations are essential.

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) are El Novillo's unique drawing card — few other Mexican reservoirs support a viable striped bass population. These powerful pelagic predators roam the open water, chasing schools of shad and small tilapia. Typical sizes range from 5-15 pounds, with occasional fish exceeding 20 pounds. Stripers are best targeted with trolling techniques, jigging spoons, and large swimbaits fished in 20-40 foot depths. Their fight is explosive — powerful runs and headshakes that test tackle to its limits.

Catfish species include channel catfish and flathead catfish. Both reach good sizes in El Novillo's deep, clear waters. Channel cats averaging 4-8 pounds respond to cut bait and nightcrawlers fished on the bottom near deep rock piles. Flatheads are less common but can exceed 25 pounds.