Deepest lakes in New Mexico: 4 lakes ranked by depth

Deepest first

1. Elephant Butte Lake

At about 27,300 acres, Elephant Butte Lake is a big lake. 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. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank: good places to start.

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

2. El Vado Lake

El Vado Lake spreads over 3,200 acres of water. You will find it about 11 miles northeast of Tierra Amarilla. Expect trout and kokanee salmon. It goes down to about 167 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

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

3. Sumner Lake

Sumner Lake covers about 1,600 acres. The lake is about 12 miles southeast of Fort Sumner. Sumner Dam holds it on the Pecos. Like most lakes its size in New Mexico, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. At about 143 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. 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

4. Caballo Reservoir

Caballo Reservoir covers 11,000 acres of water. The lake is about 5.5 miles north of Truth or Consequences. It holds walleye, largemouth bass, catfish and crappie. It goes down to about 75 ft.

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

Fishing deep water

Deep lakes reward slow, vertical fishing: drop a jig or a spoon to the depth where fish show on the sonar and work it right there. In spring and fall the fish come shallow and any method works.