- About Cochiti Lake.
- A nice lake near Pena Blanca, NM allows for great day fishing from Albuquerque.
- Surface Area: 1,200 acres.
- Elevation: 5,500 feet.
- Distance from Albuquerque: 50 miles.
- Fish Species: Perch, Crappie, Northern Pike, White Bass, Largmouth Bass & Smallmouth Bass.
- How To Get To Cochiti Lake.
Table of Contents
Where are the biggest trout in New Mexico?
New Mexico State Record Trout The state record brown trout came from the Chama River. The state record lake trout was caught in Heron Lake.
Where is the best fishing in New Mexico right now?
- San Juan River. The San Juan River is a world-famous fishery below Navajo Dam in northwest New Mexico.
- Upper Rรญo Grande River. The upper Rรญo Grande around Taos can be great fishing in early summer, but it may be out of sorts from runoff, too.
- Cimarrรณn River.
- Chama River.
- Pecos River.
Are there lake trout in New Mexico?
In northern New Mexico, trout is king when it comes to sport fishing. Rainbow, brown, lake, and cutthroat trout can all be found in cold water lakes, rivers, and streams. Probably the most famous trout fishery is the San Juan River at Navajo Lake State Park.
Does New Mexico have rainbow trout?
Rainbow trout are stocked most commonly in New Mexico ponds because they thrive under a wide range of conditions, grow faster than other trout species, and are more widely available from hatcheries. Occasionally, both rainbow and brook trout are stocked in the same pond for variety.
What is the biggest fish caught in Elephant Butte?
A New Mexico teen caught a 55-pound blue catfish at Elephant Butte last week. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish tells KOAT 13-year-old Alonso Ordaz caught the fish on Feb. 22. The teen’s father tells KOAT they weighed the fish on their boat and it came in at 55 pounds.
What kind of fish are in Fenton Lake NM?
Fenton Lake is stocked regularly with catchable sized Rainbow Trout and is also home to some very large lake-bred Brown Trout. The Seven Springs Fish Hatchery, just up the road, occasionally stocks Rio Grande Cutthroats from its brood area.
Is Bonito lake Open 2022?
Bonito Lake construction continues, completion expected Summer 2022.
Where are brook trout in New Mexico?
Brook trout are uncommon in New Mexico. Most brook trout populations occur in smaller and more difficult to access streams around the state. Two of the more easily accessible streams to consider include Cabresto Creek above Questa and Tecolote Creek near Las Vegas.
What trout is native to New Mexico?
The Rio Grande cutthroat trout is one of two native species of trout found in New Mexico (The other native New Mexico trout specie we have is the Gila Trout which is only found in southern part of the state). Genetically pure populations of this rare native trout still exist in several streams in northern New Mexico.
What kind of fish are in El Vado lake NM?
Fishing. Designated as a coldwater fishery, largemouth bass, bluegill, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee salmon are present. Salmon snagging allowed in the fall.
How do you catch trout in New Mexico?

Are brown trout native to New Mexico?
Brown trout is native to Europe and western Asia. It was first introduced into the United States in 1883 and now occurs widely throughout much of the United States and Canada (Sublette et al. 1990). It was introduced into most major drainages of New Mexico during the early 1900s.
What is the New Mexico state fish?
The Rio Grande cutthroat trout is native to streams in the Rio Grande Basin, including waters on the Santa Fe National Forest. Rio Grande cutthroat trout is the State Fish of New Mexico and is the only cutthroat trout native to the state.
What is the largest lake trout?
The lake trout is the largest member of a group of fish known as char. Lake trout spawn only at night. The oldest known lake trout aged was 62 years old. The largest lake trout caught weighed 102 pounds.
What is considered a big trout?
Any trout measuring in the mid-teens is a respectable fish. I think that’s fair. And anything eighteen inches or over is “big.” Trout that have grown to over twenty inches are what we call a Whiskey, and twenty-four-inch wild trout are Namers โ following Troutbitten tradition, you have the rights to name that fish.
Which trout get the biggest?
Lake Trout are the biggest. Brook Trout are generally the smallest and have unusual markings. Splake and Tiger Trout only really exist in deliberately stocked populations, although they can show up in the wild. They’re more aggressive than most Trout species.
Are there bodies in Elephant Butte lake?
New Mexico State Police Officer Greg Smith said that in one case, low water levels at the lake revealed a sunken boat that contained skeletal remains. Those remains were later identified as a man who was reported missing 17 years before the recovery. People also fall victim to underwater currents.
Will Elephant Butte ever be full again?
“Elephant Butte will probably be dead in 75 years. That sounds like a long time, but it’s just a few generations of farmers, and then they’ll be in a world of hurt for water.” The Elephant Butte dam was built from 1912 to 1916.
Why are they draining Elephant Butte lake?
Poor water management, statewide drought cited as reasons for dropping water levels at Elephant Butte. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. โ As the drought continues in New Mexico, water levels at Elephant Butte Lake State Park are also dropping. According to the Bureau of Reclamation, the lake is less than 11% full.
Are there trout in Cochiti Lake?
North of Cochiti Lake there is brown trout, smallmouth bass, some channel catfish with northern pike in the Rio Grande Gorge above Pilar.
Is Cochiti Lake Open 2022?
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. โ The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District announced today that Cochiti Lake will reopen for recreation beginning Thursday, May 19, 2022.
What are the fish biting on to Cochiti Lake?
The most popular species caught here are Smallmouth bass, White bass, and Channel catfish. 562 catches are logged on Fishbrain.
What kind of fish are in Santa Cruz Lake NM?
23. The project is 75% funded by FEMA, 12.5% funded by the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the remaining 12.5% funded by the City of Alamogordo. Bonito Lake was closed following the 2012 Little Bear Fire and subsequent flooding.
What kind of fish are in Quemado Lake?
The City of Alamogordo is the owner of the Bonito Lake which serves as a potable water supply and a premier recreational area in southern New Mexico. The area is generally open to the public from April 1 through November 30, depending on the weather. Activities allowed at the lake include fishing, camping and hiking.