Lake 9 km west of El Fuerte
The Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez dam, known as El Sabino, west of El Fuerte: bass and catfish fishing, camping, and a yearly tournament.
El Sabino, officially the Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez dam, is the smaller of El Fuerte's two big reservoirs, about 13 kilometers west of town across the Río Fuerte. When full it holds close to 700 million cubic meters, and its water irrigates the Valle del Carrizo farmland and parts of southern Sonora; in wet years it also receives water sent over from the Miguel Hidalgo dam.
For visitors it is a quieter, wilder alternative to El Mahone. The hills around the lake are good for walking, there are areas for camping, and the reservoir is a favorite with anglers for its largemouth bass and catfish. Local guides often run trips on both lakes. Every year the town holds the El Sabino fishing tournament here; the 2026 edition drew more than 60 teams.
Like every reservoir in the region, its level depends on the rains. During the drought of 2025 it fell to around a tenth of its capacity, so the shoreline and fishing conditions can change a lot from year to year.
What to see and do
Fish for largemouth bass and catfish with a local guide.
Camp by the lake and hike the surrounding hills.
Come for the annual El Sabino fishing tournament.
Combine it with El Mahone for a two-lake fishing trip.
Getting there
From El Fuerte it is about 13 kilometers: cross the Río Fuerte bridge and follow the road west through Los Ayón, Baroten, and El Vado, around 20 minutes by car. Check water levels with local guides before planning a fishing trip.
9 km west of El Fuerte
Directions from El Fuerte on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
Plan your trip
Places to stay in Presa El Sabino
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Tours & activities
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Weather warm
Presa El Sabino shares the climate of El Fuerte, 9 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Mar, Nov, Dec.
Make El Fuerte your base
Presa El Sabino is an easy trip from El Fuerte, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around El Fuerte
-
Cerro de la Máscara
· Archaeological site · 5 km away
Northern Sinaloa's best petroglyph site: about 300 carvings on rocky hills by the Río Fuerte, just north of town. -
Los Capomos
· Town · 10 km away
A Yoreme (Mayo) ceremonial village east of El Fuerte where visitors can learn about the culture, see traditional dances, and eat handmade tortillas. -
Tehueco
· Town · 17 km away
A Yoreme ceremonial town on the river with an old Jesuit mission and a free community museum of Holy Week masks. -
Presa Miguel Hidalgo
· Lake · 28 km away
A large reservoir north of El Fuerte, also called El Mahone, famous for big black bass; guided fishing trips leave from town.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.