Sport Fishing and Kayaking at Presa Venustiano Carranza (Don Martin)

Presa Venustiano Carranza, known locally as Don Martin, is a reservoir of over 1,300 million cubic meters when full, fed by the Salado and Sabinas rivers near the Coahuila-Nuevo Leon border, and it supports largemouth bass fishing alongside recreational kayaking. Fishing trips and paddling outings run half a day to a full day and require no special certification, though basic swimming ability is recommended for kayaking; fishing rods, tackle, kayaks and life jackets can all be rented locally rather than requiring visitors to bring their own gear. Water safety on the reservoir is coordinated by the Asociacion El Faro de Don Martin, a local association working with area fishing guides who know the reservoir's structure and seasonal bass patterns; guides carry basic safety equipment and communicate by radio or phone with the shore in case of engine trouble or sudden weather changes on the open water. A short safety orientation covers life jacket use and reservoir etiquette before boats or kayaks launch, and the association's local presence functions as the informal rescue coordination point given the reservoir's size and the limited cell signal in parts of the basin. Fishing tournaments in May and October draw larger crowds of anglers, while October through March generally brings the coolest, most comfortable conditions for a full day on the water.