Best fishing lakes in New Mexico: 12 lakes and what bites

The lakes at a glance

1. Elephant Butte Lake

Elephant Butte Lake covers about 27,300 acres. The fish here are largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie and catfish. At about 197 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.

Elephant Butte Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Conchas Lake

Conchas Lake is a reservoir of some 9,600 acres. It lies about 23 miles northeast of Mosquero. Conchas Dam holds it on the Canadian. Walleye, largemouth bass, white bass and catfish are the draw. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Conchas Dam, completed in 1939 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, impounds the Canadian River.

Conchas Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Brantley Lake

At some 4,000 acres, Brantley Lake is a good-sized lake. It lies near La Huerta. It is the Pecos behind Brantley Dam. The fish here are largemouth bass, walleye, catfish and white bass.

Brantley Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Caballo Reservoir

At some 11,000 acres, Caballo Reservoir is a big lake. It lies within an easy drive of Las Cruces (about 50 miles). Caballo Dam holds it on the Rio Grande. Expect walleye, largemouth bass, catfish and crappie. At about 75 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.

Caballo Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Ute Lake

Ute Lake spreads over 8,200 acres of water. You will find it near Tucumcari. Expect largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and walleye. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Ute Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Santa Rosa Lake

Santa Rosa Lake covers 3,800 acres of water. You will find it about 6.2 miles south of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Dam holds it on the Pecos. Expect largemouth bass, catfish and walleye. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Santa Rosa Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Eagle Nest Lake

Eagle Nest Lake covers 2,500 acres of water. The lake is about 6.9 miles south of Angel Fire. Eagle Nest Dam holds it on the Cimarron. It holds trout, kokanee salmon, yellow perch and northern pike. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Eagle Nest Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Heron Lake

Heron Lake covers some 5,900 acres. The lake is near Tierra Amarilla. Expect trout and kokanee salmon. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Heron Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. El Vado Lake

At some 3,200 acres, El Vado Lake is a good-sized lake. It lies about 11 miles northeast of Tierra Amarilla. Trout and kokanee salmon are the draw. At about 167 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.

El Vado Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Cochiti Lake

Cochiti Lake spreads over about 1,060 acres. It lies about 20 miles east of Santa Fe. It is the Rio Grande behind Cochiti Dam. It holds smallmouth bass and northern pike. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Cochiti Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

11. Abiquiu Lake

Abiquiu Lake is a reservoir of some 5,200 acres. It lies near Santa Teresa. It is the Rio Chama behind Abiquiu Dam. Like most lakes its size in New Mexico, it should hold trout, lake trout, yellow perch and smallmouth bass. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Abiquiu Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

12. Sumner Lake

Sumner Lake spreads over about 1,600 acres. You will find it near Fort Sumner. Sumner Dam holds it on the Pecos. The usual New Mexico mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. The deepest water is around 143 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Sumner Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Pick by species

A lake appears under a fish when it holds it, by the record or by the type of lake.

• Bass: Elephant Butte Lake, Conchas Lake, Brantley Lake and Caballo Reservoir
• Walleye: Conchas Lake, Brantley Lake, Caballo Reservoir and Ute Lake
• Trout: Eagle Nest Lake, Heron Lake, El Vado Lake and Abiquiu Lake
• Crappie: Elephant Butte Lake, Conchas Lake, Brantley Lake and Caballo Reservoir
• Pike and muskie: Eagle Nest Lake and Cochiti Lake
• Catfish: Elephant Butte Lake, Conchas Lake, Brantley Lake and Caballo Reservoir

When to go

• Spring: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Summer: walleye are usually fair. Warm surface. They go deep in the day; try evenings.
• Fall: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Winter: walleye are usually at their best. Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.

Before you go

A New Mexico fishing licence covers every lake here; the state fish and wildlife agency publishes the limits and any special rules lake by lake. Each lake page on LakeScope shows today's water temperature, the wind, the best bite times and a 3-D view of the bed, so check it the morning you go.