Category: Extremadura

Characteristic of Almaraz lake

With a flooded area of 776 hectares, Almaraz lake is very peculiar, because its main function is to cool the turbines of the Almaraz nuclear power plant. It is located in the east of the province of Cáceres and its level is stable throughout the year. The reservoir collects water from the River Tajo, this water is propelled to the nuclear power plant itself (channelled through walls located in the centre of the reservoir) and is returned to the River Tajo after a long journey in which it loses temperature.

Due to its peculiar characteristics it has become, in addition to sport fishing, a reference for the observation of waterfowl, housing very important populations of some endangered species.

The area in which the water has not yet reached the plant is called the “cold” area and the rest of the reservoir is considered the “hot” area. The water has a temperature several degrees higher than that of the surrounding reservoirs, due to this cooling function. This fact added to the high level of eutrophication means that they are always turbid, to a greater or lesser extent.

Bottom composition and structures

The bottom of the reservoir is practically flat, as it has been built by excavating in a similar way to a gravel pit and only in some areas do we find the bottom full of small rounded stones and pebbles. Most of the reservoir’s bottom is covered with silt and mud, from the decomposition produced by the abundant reeds and cattails that surround it.

The only anthropic structures we find are the slopes of some surrounding roads and the aforementioned wall in the “center” of the reservoir, which is practically impossible to reach from the shore with our lures.

Vegetation and cover

The reservoir is almost entirely surrounded by cattails, reeds and other plants linked to wetland ecosystems. This vegetation is very dense, especially in the warmer months, making the reservoir practically inaccessible from most of its banks, except for the accesses “built” by fishermen.

In this tangle of vegetation, most of the fish find shelter and food, so we must prepare ourselves to fish in what we call “heavy cover”, although the currents present in the most central areas of the reservoir will also allow us to fish in “open water” with other types of lures.

Main fish species

It is a reference reservoir for black bass fishing in winter, since the higher temperature of its waters contributes to the fish maintaining high levels of activity, even in the coldest months.

• Black Bass. The density is very high, finding fish of all sizes in practically all areas of the reservoir. They do not usually reach very high weights, as their high level of activity throughout the year prevents them from accumulating the necessary reserves. That’s why we will find fish with a very elongated morphology.
• Zander. It has entered the Almaraz reservoir from the Tajo River and it seems that its densities are not very high.

  

• Catfish. Just like the zander has entered through the Tajo but its populations are growing in recent years. Specimens over 150 cm long have already been caught.
• Carp. The carp is very abundant in this reservoir but its average size is rather small (between 1 and 2 kg). The most used techniques by the fishermen are feeder and match fishing.

Baitfish in Almaraz lake

The crawfish has always been the main prey, although in recent years bleak have also come in from the Tajo. There is also presence of mosquitofish, sunfish and some frogs.

Access and navigation

Navigation is forbidden in Almaraz reservoir, so fishing is only possible from the shore. We must bear in mind that a large part of the reservoir is closed from March 1 to August 1 because it is an SPA area. The sections highlighted in orange are those where no fishing is allowed during this period.

Due to the enormous density of vegetation and the fairly uniform depths of the shores, the use of the wader is practically indispensable. It is important to locate the accesses to the reservoir beforehand, since sometimes there are stretches of bank several hundred meters long that are impassable due to the thickness of the cattails.

Characteristics of Cíjara lake

With a capacity of 1505hm3 and an area of 6565 hectares, Cíjara lake is another of the best known reservoirs for sport fishing. It is a clear water reservoir, although usually not as much as its neighbours García Sola and Orellana, and can find areas with more turbid waters than others in different parts of the reservoir.

Its main uses are electricity production, supply and irrigation, and level changes are relatively frequent, ranging from 700 to 1200 hm3 in a “normal” year. Do you want to know the level in real time? Click here.

Bottom composition and structures

The bottom of the reservoir is made up of very varied rocks that alternate in different areas: slate, schist, quartzite, greywacke, sandstone… with different levels of degradation.

It is a really extensive reservoir and we can find all kinds of structures. There are miles of creeks, huge beaches, but there are also multiple cuts and small boxed creeks, as it is in a fairly rugged area. We have quite interesting moderate slopes, so we can fish at a certain depth in a good number of areas.

Cut and “textbook” points, rip rap areas, large stone areas, submerged islands… we can find practically all kinds of structures, as long as we know the reservoir, that is.

Vegetation and cover

The submerged vegetation, in the form of old trees, bushes, etc., is not notable for its abundance, although in rainy years, when the water level reaches the highest levels, a good number of bushes and some trees will be submerged, providing then a good amount of wood cover.

The underwater vegetation is quite abundant, we find extensive areas with interesting weeds, although sometimes the marked changes in level leave this vegetation too deep or even out of the water, and a significant percentage of it dries out.

Main fish species

Cíjara is one of the reference reservoirs in the world of sport fishing. Although it is not at its best either, the black bass and pike populations are starting to recover after several bad years.

It is no coincidence that the Euro Nitro Cup (one of the most important competitions at European level in the world of black bass) have been held in this lake most of the times.

• Black Bass. If there’s one thing Cijara is famous for, it’s its black bass populations. After some difficult years in which excessive fishing pressure, the reduction of the bleak populations and other factors were determining in the reduction of their populations, it seems that it is recovering again. Specimens weighing 1,5 to 2 kg are relatively abundant, with specimens weighing more than 2,5 kg or even 3 kg being not too rare.
• Pike. This reservoir has also stood out for its large pike, which like black bass has suffered a difficult time. Pike measuring over 110 cm have been caught in this reservoir, and it is not uncommon to find specimens measuring 80 to 90 cm.

  

• Zander. Present in the reservoir for a few years already, its populations suffered an explosion several years ago, and today we find more stable populations, with important densities. They reach good sizes, with the largest specimens exceeding 80 cm.
• Iberian barbel. In this reservoir the barbels reach really important sizes, having caught specimens of more than 9kg of weight. In certain periods they bite very well with artificial lures.
• Carp. It is not particularly famous for its carps, but it has a good population of them, especially in intermediate sizes. It is ideal for feeder or match fishing of good specimens.

Baitfish in Cíjara lake

The bleak is the main species of bait fish and its densities are growing today. After the initial explosion during which we could see endless shoals of bleak, came a time of drastic reduction, due in part to the entry of the zander. Today their populations are growing, and some interesting “balls” can be found again.

The crawfish is very abundant too, providing an interesting food source, especially in areas where there are not too many bleaks.Finally, we should also mention the sunfish,carp barbel and zander fry as a source of food for predatory species.

Access and navigation

Navigation is allowed in a large part of the Cíjara reservoir, except for some sections in spring, to preserve the reproduction of protected birds.

Most of the banks are easily passable, although we must be careful with the cut-off areas, where fishing from the shore is not recommended due to their dangerous nature. There are quite a few areas that are difficult to reach from the shore, because there are not too many roads leading to the water.

For fishing with float tube or pontoon, no permit is required, because if they are less than 2.50m long, they are considered to be a complement to bathing according to the current legislation (2024).

Characteristics of Gabriel y Galán lake

With a capacity of 924 hm3 and a flooded area of 4683 hectares, Gabriel y Galán lake is of considerable size, and is located in the north of the province of Cáceres. Its main use is the production of hydroelectric energy, but it is also used for irrigation and drinking water supply. Level changes are frequent and marked. Its average level is between 300 and 700 hm3 although it is relatively frequent that its level goes out of these ranges, especially in very dry or very rainy years. Do you want to know the level in real time? Click here. The waters are very clear most of the year.

In addition to sport fishing, we can do other activities such as hiking, cycling, photography and birdwatching, as it is included in an SPA (Special Protection Area for Birds).

Bottom composition and structures

The main rocks that make up the bottom of the reservoir are slate and to a lesser extent granite in areas near the dam. The slopes are moderate, and we can find both large beaches and deeper areas, although these are usually far from the shore, which makes fishing from the shore difficult at certain times.

It is not a reservoir that is characterized by the presence of very marked structures, although we find several stone ones in certain areas: mainly walls and remains of old submerged buildings.

Vegetation and cover

We occasionally find submerged vegetation: small trees and bushes but the vegetation cover is rather scarce.

Main fish species

We have an interesting variety of sport species, which although they do not usually reach record sizes, their densities are significant.

• Black Bass. There is a good population of medium sized black bass, occasionally finding some large specimens above 2 kg.
• Zander. Abundant populations of this predator and growing.

  

• Pike. It has been present in the reservoir for some time, although it is not particularly abundant. In recent years it has been seen more frequently.
• Common barbel. It does not reach big sizes but we can fish it with artificial lures, mainly in spring, summer and early autumn. Logically it can also be fished with other techniques (carpfishing, feeder, match, fly…)
• Carp. Carp are also very abundant in this reservoir, although they do not usually reach large sizes.

Baitfish in Gabriel y Galán lake

The bleak and the crawfish are the most abundant species in the Gabriel y Galán reservoir, but we also have the presence of sunfish, nase and crucian carp.

Access and navigation

It is a moderately accessible reservoir on the shore since we can access it through a good number of roads, mainly in the area closest to the dam. The main creek area is more inaccessible from the shore and except in specific areas, it is more advisable to fish them from a boat.

Both motorised and non-motorised navigation is permitted on application to the CHT.

Characteristics of García Sola lake

With a capacity of 554 hm3 and an area of 3550 hectares, García Sola lake is a reservoir on the Guadiana River well known to sport fishermen. Despite the fact that it is not in its best moment, its waters still shelter specimens of great quality. Like its neighbor Orellana, is characterized by the clarity of its waters (except for occasional episodes of flooding) and by the difficulty of its fish. This is largely due to the high fishing pressure to which it has been subjected in recent years.

It has a hydroelectric plant, although it also has other uses such as irrigation and supply. Its level is quite stable and usually varies between 250 and 400 hm3, rarely rising above these 400. Do you want to know the level in real time? Click here.

Bottom composition and structures

We can find very diverse structures, in a bottom covered mostly with schist and quartzite. We discover cut areas, mainly as we approach the dam, but also in the main riverbed of Guadiana. On the other hand, we also find extensive creeks and long stretches of laid shore.

We can also highlight extensive areas of rip rap, dotted with larg quartzite rocks, where crawfish abound. There are several small islands and as far as anthropic structures are concerned we can highlight stone walls in some creeks, submerged roads, some old cass and the bridge of the N-502 road that goes from Castilblanco to Herrera del Duque.

Vegetation and cover

There are not many areas where we can find submerged trees or wood, although near the Guadiana riverbed we can locate some. When the level is hight, we also can find small trees and bushes semi-submerged. However, the coverage originated by the underwater vegetation can be very important, depending on the year.

Sometimes there are really extensive and dense “algueros” (like forests of weeds), which can be several meters thick

We must bear them in mind when fishing, as these algueros provide shelter and food for the different species of predatory fish, and are already spread over many areas of the lake.

Main fish species

Although it is not at its best, the García de Sola reservoir has always stood out for the enormous quality of its catches, mainly black bass, but also for pike or carp.

• Pike. There has always been an interesting population of pike, and today they find in the “algueros” a suitable habitat for their expansion. Pike between 80 and 90 cm are common, and captures above the meter are not rare.
• Black Bass. There is a very good population of black bass, although it is under great pressure, which complicates its fishing. The medium size is quite big: specimens over 2 kg are relatively common, and occasionally specimens over 3 kg are caught.

  

• Zander. Present in the reservoir for several years, the population has shot up exponentially in a short time, with negative repercussions on the population of bleak. Today they reach very good sizes, with some specimens being able to exceed 80 cm in length. Together with the excessive fishing pressure, this is one of the reasons why this reservoir is not experiencing its best moments with regard to other predators.
• Carp. There is a good population of carp size. In general there are not as many really big carp as there can be in 0rellana but there are quite a few medium sized carp.

Baitfish in García de Sola lake

The bleak is the main source of food for predators, but its populations suffered a significant decline several years ago, coinciding with the arrival of the zander. This decline has influenced the morphology of the black bass, much more stylized than in the neighboring reservoir of Orellana.

Today the bleak is starting to recover, big schools of fish are beginning to be seen. The crawfish is quite abundant, as well as the sunfish. Large school of zander fries are also a good source of food in spring.

Access and navigation

Sailing is permitted at the García de Sola reservoir, where several ramps have also been built to facilitate access for motor boats.

There are accessible stretches of shore, but there are not many roads leading to the water so we must be prepared to walk a lot if we want to reach some areas. Some shores are also quite steep, or are full of loose stones, which makes them uncomfortable to walk on.

For fishing from a float tube or a pontoon, it is not necessary to apply for any navigation permit, because if they are less than 2.50m long they are considered as complements to bathing according to the current legislation (2024).

Characteristics of Horno Tejero and Boquerón lakes

The Horno Tejero reservoir has a capacity of 24 hm3 and a flooded area of 283 hectares. Boquerón is smaller, with a capacity of 6 hm3 and 124 hectares. Despite being small, Horno Tejero and Boquerón lakes are famous for the size of their catches. They are reservoirs for the supply of the population, so they do not usually have sudden changes of level. Generally we will find them near their maximum capacity, between 20 and 22 hm3 Horno Tejero and between 4 and 5 Boquerón. Its waters are very clear except for occasional moments of heavy rain and large floods in the streams. Do you want to know the level in real time? Click here and here.

Currently both are fishing preserves, managed by a local society of fishermen, but we can get permits in Budiex store in the municipality of Cordobilla de Lácara itself.

Bottom composition and structures

They are characterized by very gentle slopes and hardly any rocky structures. Except for a couple of areas where there is a little more unevenness, it is very difficult to access great depths fishing from the shore, an important factor to take into account when we face our fishing days.

The structures are practically reduced to the walls and their surroundings. In Horno Tejero there is also an old road, its slope and some very long points, but hardly steep, with a rocky bottom formed by schists and quartzite.

Vegetation and cover

In Horno Tejero we have large areas of dry eucalyptus trees surrounding some banks of the reservoir, most of them remain standing although there are some lying down. These areas are only interesting when the reservoir is practically at 100% of its capacity, since as soon as the level drops to 21 or 22 hm3, most of them stay out of the water or in very shallow areas.

There are also remains of bush, mainly rockrose, which in rainy years can provide some cover for fish, although there are fewer and fewer of them and they deteriorate over the years.

The Boquerón reservoir, on the other hand, is almost entirely surrounded by reeds and cattails. This vegetation offers a very interesting cover, especially in years when it is at a high level. There are also some submerged holm oaks.

In the mouths of the creeks we have presence of underwater vegetation and some weeds, although they are not very significant.

Main fishing species

In spite of being two rather small reservoirs, both are famous for the enormous sizes that their black bass and carp reach. Their crystalline waters and low slopes make it a real challenge, however.

• Black Bass. The population of Horno Tejero is very interesting, although it is a very complicated reservoir to fish due to the scarce cover near the banks and the shallow depth. In Boquerón the depth that we can reach by fishing from the shore is also scarce, although when it is high there is indeed plant cover. There is a good population of medium sized fish and some specimens even reach 3 kg in weight.

  

• Pike. It is also an abundant predator in both reservoirs, although it does not stand out for reaching large sizes. We can spend entertaining days with multiple captures of small and medium size.
• Carp. Probably if this reservoir is famous for something it is for its big and elusive carps. Several specimens have been caught weighing more than 30 kilos and there is a good density of quality fish, with frequent catches above 15 kg.

Baitfish in Horno Tejero and Boquerón

They are one of the few reservoirs in which the bleak has not yet made an appearance. This does not prevent the predators from having a practically “unlimited” source of food with the crawfish, whose densities are very high.

The sunfish is also abundant in both reservoirs and we can find some tench.

Access and navigation

Nowadays, navigation is allowed in both, so float tubes, pontoons and small boats can be used. A good part of the banks are easily accessible, due to the “flatness” of the banks. However, in order to access certain areas we will have to walk several kilometres as there are not many roads leading to the water.

Since May 2024 it is not navigable by any flotation device as a measure to avoid the propagation of Ludwigia sp and also one of its tails is a breeding area of Bonellí’s eagle.

Characteristics of La Serena lake

With 13949 hectares and a maximum capacity of 3219 hm3, La Serena lake is the largest in the country and the second largest in the peninsula, only behind Alqueva, which is mostly in Portugal. It is located on the River Zújar, one of the rivers with the most irregular flows in Spain. One of the main reasons for its construction was to regulate this flow as the capacity of Zújar lake wasn’t enough to do it.

Currently its uses are also electricity production, supply and irrigation, being a reservoir generally without major fluctuations except in very rainy years. Its average level is between 2000 and 2500 hm3, although in the last 3 years it has been really low. Luckily in 2024 it started to recover, trend that continue in 2025 thanks to the rains. Do you want to know its level in real time? Click here.

Bottom composition and structures

The reservoir is located in an environment of great plains with little trees. These lands were used for extensive cattle raising before the construction of the reservoir. The reservoir is a continuous succession of peaks and creeks with gentle slopes and many islands that become peninsulas when the level drops.

In general, there are not very marked changes in depth and at the bottom there are areas of sand with other areas where the mother rock appears (shales and sandstones), also finding some areas of loose stones. We found many submerged anthropic structures, due to the great extension that was flooded by its construction, getting to flood entire villages. Therefore, in some areas we can find remains of buildings, stone walls and other structures.

Due to its extension we find several bridges that offer very interesting shade spaces, especially in summer.

Vegetation and cover

There is a good part of the reservoir that is “bare” but we can find several areas with dry submerged bushes, isolated trees and some small forests of oaks and eucalyptus.

These submerged forests are really famous for being frequented by really big pike. Some of the biggest pike in Spain have been taken here!

Although it does not usually have very sudden changes in level, variations can be quite a few meters in the vertical from one year to another. This makes it difficult for underwater vegetation to proliferate, which is only found at creek mouths in small strips.

Main fish species

La Serena is a huge reservoir in which we can find fish of all sizes. It’s famous for its big pike although we can also find very good specimens of black bass, barbel or catfish.

• Black Bass. The enormous extension of the reservoir makes its location complicated, as there are kilometres and kilometres of shores that are not the most suitable for its presence. The population is good and they reach really big sizes, although generally not as big as in the neighbouring reservoir of Orellana.
• Pike. In the case of pike, it’s the other way round, the density is probably lower than Orellana’s but we have a better chance of catching a really big pike. When I say really big, I mean pike above 110cm, with specimens being caught above 120cm.
• Channel catfish. In both La Serena and El Zújar we can catch large channel catfish, some of them exceeding 10 kg.
• Barbel. There is a very large population of small and very aggressive barbels, which will attack without hesitation all types of lures for much of the year. There are also “becero” barbels, a subspecies endemic to the area, which is not so aggressive but can be caught with a fly fishing rod, offering beautiful fights.
• Carp. Very abundant in the reservoir, the population of small and medium size carp is very large, being able to capture them by feeder, match or still fishing. We can also capture large specimens above 10 kg.

Baitfish in La Serena lake

In addition to the bleak we find large schools of other small fish among which we can highlight barbels, carp, crucian carp, channel catfish … and there are still some nase. It is a reservoir with a very large population of cyprinids. There is also crawfish and sunfish.

Access and navigation

Sailing is allowed, both with explosion and electric engines and of course also with kayaks, float tubes or pontoons.

The shores are generally very comfortable to walk on, although there will be days when we have to walk quite a few kilometres until we find the fish.

There are many paths around the reservoir, most of which end in cattle sheds… So we must be prepared to walk a few hundred meters to reach the shore in most areas.