Fly Fishing Mexico
Few people know that there are native trout in Mexico. These trout are actually have the most southerly native range of any salmonid (trout, salmon, char) in the world. These trout occupy the high elevation streams of the Sierra Madre as well as the small trout stream that flow through the mountains of Baja California. Two trout species are native to the country. In Baja, a unique subspecies of rainbow trout is native to the San Pedro Martir range. Other rainbow trout have been introduced withing the Sierra Madre as well as higher elevation streams near Mexico City and Oaxaca. The other species is the Mexican Golden Trout, Oncorhynchus chrysogaster, a trout that is unique to the headwater streams of the Sierra Madre.
Mexican Golden Trout
Oncorhynchus chrysogaster can be found in the Fuerte, Yaqui, Sinaloa, Culiacan, Mayo, San Lorenzo, Piaxla, Presidio, Baluarte, and Acaponeta drainage basins of the Sierra Madre. The headwater streams of these basins typically hold trout around 2500 meters on elevation. Each of these drainages is home to unique subspecies on the Mexican Golden Trout. Another worthy mention is that of the Conchos Trout which is native to the upper reaches of the Conchos River. The Conchos Trout may be a subspecies of chrysogaster or a species of its own as the Conchos watershed is the only one of these watersheds that drains eastward into the Gulf of Mexico.
All of these trout are incredibly rare within their native range. Relegated to only the most secluded canyons and arroyos that maintain year round flow of cold water. Overfishing, habitat loss, and introgression (interbreeding with introduced rainbow trout populations) are the major contributors of their dwindling numbers. The dryer climate seen over the past few decades is also responsible for the shrinking of their native range. On a semi positive note, there is one factor that has protected some of the Mexican Golden Trout populations from further degradation. This is Narco Conservation. A term used to describe the positive outcomes for local ecology as many people avoid visiting the region and abusing resources due to the heavy presence of cartels in the region. Many of the cartel strongholds are found high in the Sierra Madre where these trout live, making access difficult to both locals and visitors.
The future conservation of the Mexican Golden Trout is mostly lead by local communities in the area. With research done over the past few decades by organizations such as Truchas Mexicanas, conservation groups and local ejidos can better identify the best habitat for the Mexican Golden Trout. The local Raramuri, descendants of the native Apache people, have begun working with organizations like Expediciones del Norte to better help conserve essential habitat for local flora and fauna. The organization offers guided, hiking, birding, and wildlife tours in the Sierra Madre.
Rainbow Trout Fishing Mexico
In the San Pedro Martir Range of Baja California, a subspecies of Rainbow Trout can be found living in the spring fed headwaters of the area. They occupy the cold water plunge pools that fall from the higher gradient streams. These fish were described just over 100 years ago and can still be found in several protected streams
Stocked Trout Fishing in Mexico
Stocked Rainbow Trout have been introduce to several river basins of the Sierra Madre due to aquculture projects from locals. These introductions have been an overall negative to the native trouts of the region. Outside of the Sierra Madre, rainbow trout can be found just to the south of Mexico City in the shadow of the nearby volcanoes. Many of these trout are stocked in lakes but move into nearby streams during the wet seasons. This also holds true for the coldwater streams around Oaxaca. These rivers flow through the Mexican Jungle. They are able to stay cool thanks to their high elevation and consistent rainfall.
Learn more about the trout species of the planet in our articles on Trout, Salmon, and Char of the World, Trout Fishing Morocco, Trout Fishing Turkey, Trout Fishing Ireland, Trout Species of Patagonia, Trout Species of Southern Europe, and Trout of North America. Our detailed articles on What Do Trout Eat, Fly Fishing a Hatch, and Fly Fishing Streamers will give you a great idea on how to target each of these species.
