Things To Do
Gone Fishin'
Bill Evans Lake
Bill Evans Lake is an interesting body of water: It's a lake 300 feet above the river that fills it. Water from the Gila River is pumped up a high mesa to where a sparkling lake is impounded.
The lake is suited to both trout and warmwater fish species, and is a great year-round place to watch birds and wildlife.
Bill Evans provides a great view of surrounding mountain ranges. The lake is surrounded by a gravel road, providing access to much of the shoreline. The gravel road can be uneven and may require a high ground clearance vehicle in some areas — but the lake is relatively small and all of the shoreline can be reached easily by foot.
The lake annually fills anglers' creels with crappie, channel catfish, bluegill and largemouth bass. Trout, although present throughout the year, are more active from October through May. Compared to other southwestern lakes, Bill Evans has relatively cool waters and largemouth bass grow slower than in warmer lakes. But big largemouth are still found in Bill Evans, including the state record 15-pound, 13-ounce largemouth caught in 1995. The lake is typically maintained at a level of 62 surface acres.
Camping is permitted at the lake, although there are no developed campsites. Boating is permitted on the lake, but only electric motors and self-propelled boats are allowed. All of the lake is a no-wake zone.
Bonito Lake
The most popular trout fishing lake in New Mexico is stocked twice a month with more than 2,000 rainbow trout during fishing season, April 1-Nov. 30. The NMGFD stock the lake frequently. This is the most scenic lake in the Ruidoso area. No boats or watercraft are allowed. The lake is about 5 miles north of Ruidoso off of Highway 37. The turnoff is well marked on the highway.
Bottomless Lakes State Park
The lake is stocked with rainbow trout in winter. Lazy Lagoon is surrounded by treacherous and odorous mud flats, making in inaccessible for recreation but a great place to view waterfowl that are often present. Recreational opportunities at Bottomless Lakes include camping, picnicking, fishing, boating, sailing, and wildlife viewing. The Park also has a trail system open to hiking and site seeing.
Brantley Lake State Park
Brantley Lake State Park is New Mexico's newest state park. It is the southernmost lake in New Mexico, and a refreshing place to fish and enjoy other water sports. The visitor center includes historical exhibits about the Wild West Town of Seven Rivers.
Anglers can catch a variety of warm water fish such as largemouth bass, walleye, channel catfish, white bass, bluegill, and crappie.
Burn Lake
This public small lake in east Las Cruces off Interstate 10 is stocked with trout twice a month during the winter. It also contains catfish, bass and panfish.
Caballo Lake
Swimming, skiing, fishing, jet skiing, and windsurfing are some of the wet and wild activities available at the Park. Both lake and river provide anglers with the opportunity to catch a variety of fish. The area is home to largemouth bass, walleye, white bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, northern pike, sunfish, and an occasional rainbow trout.
Eagle Lakes
These two small lakes that resemble mountain cattle ponds are always well-stocked with rainbow trout by the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Drive on Hwy. 532 (ski run road) about 31/2 miles and look for the turn off to the left. This campground offers two lakes that are stocked and open from late May through mid September. Daily permits may be purchased at the entrance.
Elephant Butte Reservoir
The largest reservoir on the Rio Grande is full of white bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and catfish. It has become famous nationwide for its large striped bass, some as big as 541/2 pounds.
Gila River
Although the Gila River is relatively dry, fishing opportunities can be found in many miles of perennial creeks and rivers as well as in manmade lakes. Some of the more common sport fish found in these waters include Rainbow and Brown Trout, Large and Small Mouth Bass as well as Channel and Flathead Catfish. Many native fish are also found in the streams on the Gila, several of these, such as the Gila Trout are considered threatened or endangered. Recovery efforts are underway to help establish fishable populations of the Gila Trout.
The Gila National Forest contains many miles of streams that provide both cold and warm water fishing opportunities. Both the Gila River and the San Francisco River along with their many tributaries are located within the Forest. Upper reaches and headwater tributaries of both rivers offer trout fishing, the lower reaches of both rivers offer quality warm water fishing opportunities.
Grindstone Lake
Fishing is great at Grindstone Lake. The state annually stocks this lake with trout. Located just minutes from midtown Ruidoso, Grindstone Lake is open year round for Fishing and Boating. Non Motorized boats ONLY, are allowed from April 1 – October 31 with a boat permit. Maximum length of boat is 16 ft. Boat permits may be purchased at the Parks & Recreation Office at 801 Resort Dr., Monday- Friday (8am –5pm). Permits are also for sale at the Public Swimming Pool (at Schoolhouse Park) during the summer. A New Mexico Fishing License is required to fish at Grindstone Lake, as well as, all NM fishing and boating regulations are to be followed.
Hide-A-Way Lakes
Private. Catfish in the small lakes 40 miles southeast of El Paso off Texas 20 near Tornillo.
Lake Roberts
LAKE ROBERTS is a 72-acre man-made lake in the Gila National Forest. Fed by Sapillo Creek, the lake can be fished for 10- to 14-inch rainbow trout (best late March to late May), as well as crappie, catfish, and some bass. Motels, boat ramps, and many picnicking spots are on or near the lake's edge. There are two campgrounds and numerous trails leading into the forest, as well as a self-interpretive Mimbres Indian
Lake Van
Lake Van is a small lake 1/2 mile east of the center of Dexter, has a small boat landing and a fishing dock. A restaurant overlooks the lake where the ducks swim or waddle on the shore waiting for food handouts. It is also the locale of a recreation area with a park and a swimming pool, yet surrounded by residences.
Pecos River
The Pecos flows due south out of the gorgeous basin of the Pecos Wilderness. Though only about 45 miles from Santa Fe, this forested watershed is nearly pristine. Trout are plentiful and fly fishing is consistently good. That’s the good news. The bad news is many people from nearby Santa Fe are aware of the good news. Certain fly fishing facts and tactics, however, can help overcome crowd problems on the Pecos. Most of this is common sense and applies to other popular waters. Types of Fish: Stocked rainbow, many brown trout, up to 16" possible. This eTrail covers the "where, when, and how" to fish in this region. You'll get a full-page map and information on the known hatches, suggested equipment to bring, and the best flies to use.
Quemado Lake
We are located one mile from the Quemado Lake in the Apache National Forest, high in the mountains of western New Mexico, near the Continental Divide. We are 170 miles South West of Albuquerque and 65 miles East of Springerville, Arizona. The close proximity to Sunrise Ski Area in Arizona gives easy access to the numerous lakes and streams of the White Mountains of Arizona and the Gallo Mountains of New Mexico.
We currently have 1 to 40 ares of custom homesites, in a gated community, as well as other listings. Please check out our listings. Prices start at $42,500.
There is more to us than just prime mountain real estate. Quemado Lake is a recreation community!! You can enjoy the peace at your mountain retreat, and when you're ready for some excitement we have polo, fishing, cookouts, community dances, and other great activities....somethings always going on here!!
Quemado Lake is a tranquil and breathtaking high mountain trout lake. A very pristine place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Area Map Proud
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Rainbow Lake
Private. Fishing for bass, bluegill and catfish in a small lake behind the Old El Paso cannery in Anthony, Texas.
Red Bluff Lake
The structure in Red Bluff Reservoir varies from mud and gravelly flats to steep drop-offs and creek channels. Cover is provided by the beds of sago pondweed in the main area of the lake and by flooded terrestrial vegetation around all parts of the lake.
White and hybrid striped bass are caught with live and artificial baits fished in the open water areas near creek channels and drop-offs.
Rio Ruidoso
Public and private. Stocker, rainbow trout, and an occasional German brown trout can be caught in the stream that flows through Ruidoso on Mescalero Apache Tribe land. Private. This large lake located next to the Inn of the Mountain Gods always is well-stocked with rainbow trout by the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
Silver Lake
The 6-acre lake about halfway between Ruidoso and Cloudcroft off N.M. 24 is stocked once a week with about 1,000 rainbow trout.
Wall lakes
Wall Lake is a recreation area destination point for many people wanting to escape the high temperatures of the desert cities to the east. The 8-acre lake is the headwaters of the east fork of the Gila River, and is stocked semiannually with rainbow trout by the New Mexico Game and Fish Departmen
Young Pond
Public. The children's pond is stocked with trout during the winter and has a few catfish. It is open only to anglers ages 11 and under. No license needed.