Frequently Asked Questions
The Lake & Location
Where is Fishin’ Mission Adventures located?
Fishin’ Mission Adventures is located on Lake Aguamilpa in Nayarit, Mexico, approximately one hour from the city of Tepic. The lodge is boat-access only — there are no roads to the property. Guests board a boat at the Presa de Aguamilpa (Aguamilpa Dam) for a short ride across the lake to the private and secluded lodge. The most popular nearby airport is Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), roughly two hours from Tepic via a newly constructed highway. There’s also a smaller airport located in Tepic (TPQ).
How do I get to Fishin’ Mission Adventures?
Most of our clients fly into Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), then travel about two hours on a comfortable, modern coach to Tepic, Nayarit. From Tepic, it's a 45-minute drive via private car to the Aguamilpa Dam, where you board a boat for the 15-minute ride out to the lodge. Dave Sanders will provide you with detailed arrival instructions and help coordinate logistics upon booking. Options are available for pickup in Tepic or Puerto Vallarta.
What is Lake Aguamilpa?
Lake Aguamilpa is a 55,000-acre reservoir nestled at 2,400 feet elevation in the Sierra Madre mountains of rural Nayarit, Mexico. It is fed by the Rio Santiago — Mexico's largest river — as well as the Rio Chico. The dam forming the lake was completed in 1994, and the reservoir stretches over 65 miles in a wishbone shape through the mountains. It reaches depths of over 400 feet and features abundant trees, bluffs, brush-covered shorelines, and several waterfalls along its banks. Because the dam was built for hydroelectric purposes rather than irrigation, the lake maintains stable water levels year-round with only a gradual seasonal draw that is quickly replenished by summer rains — a significant advantage over many other Mexican bass fisheries.
What is the weather like at Lake Aguamilpa?
Because of its elevation at 2,400 feet in the Sierra Madre mountains, Lake Aguamilpa enjoys more comfortable weather during fishing season than virtually any other Mexican bass fishery. Days are generally sunny and warm. Nights bring a refreshing drop in temperature. Plan on a light jacket for early morning hours on the water, then light-colored t-shirts or polo shirts with shorts or lightweight zip-off pants for the rest of the day. There is almost always an east wind in the first part of the day that shifts to a westerly breeze in the afternoon.
The Fishing
What kind of fishing does Lake Aguamilpa offer?
Lake Aguamilpa is one of Mexico's premier largemouth bass fisheries, first stocked with 300,000 Florida Black Bass fingerlings in 1994. The lake is best known for its extraordinary numbers of quality bass, typically in the 2–6 pound range, with double-digit fish available and a lake record well over 12 pounds. During peak season, 150-bass-per-boat days are not uncommon, and 300-bass-per-boat days have been recorded during the post-spawn months. The late Bill Skinner, widely considered Mexico's most legendary bass fishing pioneer, described the area running 30 miles north of the dam as one of the best post-spawn bass fishing areas on earth. While there is little grass in this deep reservoir, there is no shortage of bass-holding structure and cover.
When is fishing season at Fishin’ Mission Adventures?
The lodge and guided fishing trips operate November through April. Peak fishing typically runs through the winter and early spring months, with the post-spawn period producing some of the highest catch numbers of the season.
The Lodge & Packages
Is Fishin’ Mission Adventures the only boat-in lodge in Mexico?
As far as we know, yes. Fishin’ Mission Adventures is the only secluded, off-grid, boat-in-only bass fishing lodge in Mexico on any lake. Every other major bass fishing lodge in Mexico is road-accessible. Getting here requires a boat — and that's exactly the point.
What makes Fishin’ Mission Adventures different from other Mexican bass fishing lodges?
Most bass fishing lodges in Mexico are resort-style operations — comfortable, social, and built for groups who want cold drinks and a party atmosphere as much as the fishing. Fishin’ Mission Adventures is a different kind of experience entirely. There are no roads in, no crowds, and no noise beyond the water and the wildlife. Every package sold funds a children's home and free medical and dental clinics for indigenous communities along the lake. If you are looking for numbers of quality bass in a truly remote setting — and you want your trip to mean something beyond the catch — there is no comparable option in Mexico.
How is Fishin’ Mission Adventures eco-friendly and sustainable?
The Fishin’ Mission Adventures lodge is a model of sustainable, off-grid living. Built entirely by hand on the shores of Lake Aguamilpa, the two-story lodge, caretaker's house, and outbuildings were constructed from stone excavated on-site, and even some timber beams were milled from trees on the property. The entire facility runs on renewable energy — rooftop solar panels, solar water heaters, and a small wind turbine.
How many guests can the lodge accommodate?
The lodge has four separate suites, each with a private bathroom. Some of the units can sleep up to 8 people comfortably, making it well suited for fishing groups. Additional tent sites with dedicated bathroom facilities are currently under development, which will expand capacity in future seasons.
What is included in a fishing package?
Fishing packages include guided bass fishing on Lake Aguamilpa, lodging at the on-site lodge, and meals. Packages are available as a 1-day trip, a 1-day/1-night trip, and a 3-day/4-night trip. All boats are Carolina Skiffs powered by 75 HP engines, equipped with Motorguide remote control bow-mount trolling motors and fish finders.
The Mission
Is Fishin’ Mission Adventures affiliated with a mission or charity?
Yes. A portion of every fishing package sold at Fishin’ Mission Adventures goes directly to support the Casa de Niños children's home in the Mexican city of Tepic.
What is the Casa de Niños?
Casa de Niños Frank Gonzalez A.C. is a non-denominational, non-profit children's home in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico. It provides shelter, meals, medical services, education, and emotional and spiritual support for vulnerable children ages 0–18 — including orphaned, abused, and abandoned children — with a focus on healing, personal development, and wherever possible, reuniting families or facilitating adoption. At any given time the Casa houses between 20 and 35 children as well as a handful of single moms. The Casa is supported entirely through charitable donations from individuals, churches, businesses, and organizations. Fishin’ Mission Adventures is one of those supporting organizations, with proceeds from every fishing package going directly to the Casa's ongoing work.
Who founded Fishin’ Mission Adventures?
Fishin’ Mission Adventures was founded by Dave and Barbara Sanders, originally from Philomath, Oregon. The Sanders moved to Tepic, Nayarit in 2006 and purchased property on Lake Aguamilpa shortly thereafter. They built the lodge themselves over several years, hiring local Huichol workers, and have operated the fishing lodge and mission ever since. The lodge dog, which goes by two names — Mickey to Barb, the Scrapper to Dave — is a full-time member of the Sanders family.
Booking
How do I book a trip?
Contact Dave Sanders directly to inquire about availability and book a package. Packages are available for groups of two or more anglers.
Phone: (541) 207-1016
Call or Text: (541) 609-0582
Email: dave@FishinMissionAdventures.com