Fishing Report For Caballo Lake, NM

Current Report: Fair To Good

Although there are some big bass in Caballo Lake, the majority of bass being caught are just nice keeper fish in the 13" to 16" range. The New Mexico Department of Game & Fish maintains the fishery for multiple fish species, including bass.

FALL. Now that late Fall taking over, bass are moving out of shallow coves and shallow bays, following schools of baitfish back into 8 to 20 feet of water. Currently jerkbaits, deep-diving crankbaits, slow-rolled spinnerbaits, artificial worms, spoons and jigs are catching most of the bass. Later in Fall, as deeper water cools, bait and bass move out to ledges, channel edges, points and humps where flutter spoons, jigs and drop shots are often good choices in 15 to 40 feet of water.

WINTER. Winter will isolate largemouth around slightly deeper structure, flats, points and creek channels. They can be found as deep as 60 feet, around main-lake channel edges, rock piles, stump fields and brush piles. Here they hold, feeding less frequently, awaiting warmer water to return in Spring. Slow presentations are key to getting bites. On warmer days, especially during late afternoons, bass may move shallower to feed.

SPRING. Once water temperatures rise into the low 60's, largemouth will move from deep wintering holes, to shallower water nearby spawning areas. Anglers report good topwater action from mid Spring through Summer, especially early in the morning, and on cloudy days. Vibrating jigs, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits typically get bites just away from the shoreline. At this time they are feeding aggressively in about 5 to 20 feet of water, and preparing for the spawn. Once water warms into the mid to high 60's, they will move into 2 to 8 feet of water, and create nests, then lay their eggs. Immediately afterwards, females move to deeper water and males remain to guard the eggs, and then the fry. After a couple weeks, the males also move to slightly deeper water, around 6 to 18 feet deep. Deep-diving crankbaits, vibrating jigs, plastic worms, jigs, worms, and swimbaits catch bass during this period.

SUMMER. Water temperatures will warm considerably in Summer. Bass will feed shallow, early and late in the day, where they will be caught in 2 to 10 feet of water, on topwater lures, square-bill crankbaits, spinnerbaits and a variety of other lures. Wacky-rigged stick worms always catch finicky bass when the bite is slow. Largemouth bass here feed on shad, small sunfish and crawfish. During the hotter parts of the day, they are being caught on points, channel edges, and ledges 15 to 20 feet deep. Some of the best reports seem to be from anglers fishing around rocky drop-offs and along canyon walls.

Current Report: Good To Very Good

Early in the morning, and from dusk to long after dark are good times to catch walleye at Caballo Lake. Spring and Fall are the best seasons.

FALL. Fall brought cooler temperatures to shallow water, drawing walleye and baitfish back toward deeper haunts. Walleye continue to be a major draw for anglers. Locals report catching nice walleye in the lower basin, the area around the dam, main-lake points and drop-offs, and the mouths of feeder creeks. Jigs, swimbaits, spoons, crankbaits, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits are all historically good for catching walleye this time of year. Early and late in the day finds them in 8 to 12 feet of water, mid day they hold 15 to 20 feet deep. Later in Fall, they move out slightly deeper. Dragging jigs, bottom bouncers, or worm harnesses with nightcrawlers or leeches, around ledge drop-offs is catching walleye fairly consistently. Watch for the bigger walleye to be slightly deeper than the majority of the school.

WINTER. This Winter, fishing for walleye has been pretty good, as it has been for the last few years. Before, during and after any ice, anglers report catching them in the main basin area, in 20 to 60 feet of water, along deep creek channel edges, rocky humps and ledges. Steep drops in the area toward the dam are also producing during these cold months. They primarily feed on small fish, staying close to the bottom. After ice-out blade baits, jigs, swimbaits, spoons, deep-diving crankbaits, and worm harness spinners, all work while deep trolling or drifting.

SPRING. Early Spring brings warming water in the shallows, and draws walleye here to feed, especially rocky areas and inlet channels. In Spring work points, drop offs, submerged structure, rock ledges, flats and flats adjacent to deeper water. Here, in 6 to 18 feet deep, they will spawn once the water warms to the mid to high 40's. When they move shallow, bright colored jigs, tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers typically catch them. Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and crankbaits are also working when walleye are up shallow. Afterwards, they move to 15 to 20 feet deep around creek inlets, shallow rock reefs, windblown rocky points and flats, shoals and ledges, nearby shore. They often stay in close proximity to their spawning locations. Main lake drop offs are producing nice fish.

SUMMER. Water temperatures rise in Summer, and walleye fishing is good if you can get your bait deep enough. Early in Summer, walleye tend to concentrate in 5 to 12 feet of water. Throughout Summer, early in the morning, and from dusk to long after dark are good times to catch walleye. At those times they move slightly shallower to feed in low-light conditions. Night fishing is often good in Summer, as well. The rest of the time they are cruising flats and creek channel edges, 10 to 30 feet deep , preferring the cooler temperatures. When the bite is slow, grubs and nightcrawlers, fished just off the bottom typically catch walleye.

Current Report: Good To Very Good

FALL. Now, late Fall finds white bass following baitfish moving back out of shallow coves and bays, into 5 to 20 feet of water. Spoons, jigs, underspins and minnows are catching good numbers of whites. Later, once the shallows cool considerably from chilly Fall temperatures, schools of white bass, along with baitfish, move even deeper. They will relate to most any structure, which includes drops, humps, timber, and creek channels.

WINTER. Winter for white bass is a continuation of Fall patterns, except slightly deeper, around 15 to 40 feet. They are being caught on the same lures, but most are caught using a slower retrieve. They often concentrate in the deep holes along the main channel, and deeper sections in the lower basin. Good reports come from anglers fishing around sharp drop-offs along the Rio Grande channel edges.

SPRING. Caballo Lake has a very healthy population of white bass, which tend to start their spawning run once the water temps get into the mid 50's. This run has started and the place to concentrate is in the north end of the lake, on rocky banks. White bass will congregate here for several weeks. This makes it easier to locate schools in 6 to 18 feet of water. Live minnows on a bobber, small swimbaits and small crankbaits all are working for white bass. White bass start their spawn run once the water temperature reaches the mid 50's. Early Spring is a prime time to fill the livewells with some fat white bass. Spinnerbaits, curly-tail jigs, underspins, small crankbaits, small jerkbaits, and most any lure that resembles baitfish, will catch these feeding whites. As the water temperatures continues warming, they move out of spawning areas, into slightly deeper water. Watch for feeding frenzies when they chase schools of bait to the surface, and the fishing can be spectacular.

SUMMER. Summer finds white bass congregating in the main lake area, following and feeding on baitfish. They tend to stay in 3 to 15 feet of water, moving up and down the water column with the baitfish. They are being caught on topwater, slow-rolled spinnerbaits, curly-tail jigs, underspins, spoons, blade baits and small crankbaits, depending on the depth of the baitfish. Middle of the lake channel edges, points and deeper flats hold both bait and white bass in the warmest months.