Fishing Navajo Lake
AKA: Navajo Reservoir
Popular Fish Species Navajo Lake, NM
Rainbow Trout Fishing
This year, fishing for rainbow trout in Navajo Lake is on the rise. Catching rainbow trout here often involves using small spinners, spoons, and crankbaits in vibrant colors to mimic their preferred prey. Additionally, floating or sinking flies, such as nymphs, streamers, or dry flies, are popular choices for fly anglers targeting rainbow trout. Trolling with lures or flies behind a boat, casting near shoreline structures, or still fishing with bait can all yield success. Adjusting lure size, color, and retrieve speed can enhance chances of enticing these colorful and spirited fish.
Northern Pike Fishing
Thriving in the cool waters of Navajo Lake, northern pike are a very popular target for local anglers. This year they are being caught in good quantity and some mighty big sizes. April and May are the best months of the year, Fall can be good as well sometimes stretching into as late as October. Fishing for northern pike can give you the thrill of a lifetime when you hook a big one. Effective lures include spoons, spinners, and crankbaits, particularly those with bright colors or metallic finishes to attract the pike's attention. Additionally, big flies, soft plastic swimbaits and jerkbaits can be successful, especially when retrieved erratically to mimic wounded prey. Trolling along weed edges can often entice strikes.
Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Smallmouth bass are a favorite of many locals at Navajo Lake, as they are plentiful and easy to catch, once located. Fishing for smallmouth bass is good anytime they are shallow - in spring, during high water, mornings in summer and during warmer fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap, and around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with small worms, jigs and spoons. Other bass to be caught here include largemouth bass and spotted bass.
Navajo Lake Fishing Video
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill, kokanee salmon and northern pike at Navajo Lake in New Mexico.
A haven for boating, camping and fishing, Navajo Lake is a 15,000-acre lake on the northern border of the state. It is the second largest lake in the state and boasts nearly 160 miles of shoreline. For fishing enthusiasts it is a dream destination that offers both warm-water and cold-water fish species. Check out fishing reports for popular species at this lake. The lake offers a diverse population of fish species, including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike, crappie, and catfish.
Primary fish species residing in Navajo Lake
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Navajo Lake Amenities
Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES
Today's Weather & Forecast
Fishing Boat Rentals
Click here for fishing boat rentals available at this lake.
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Click here for boat ramps available at this lake.
Marinas
Click here for marinas available at this lake.
Fishing License
Click here for a New Mexico Fishing License.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
Navajo Lake State Park Campground - 505 632-2278
Cottonwood Campground - 505 632-2278
Navajo Lake NM Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Navajo Lake
Navajo Lake State Park
36 Road 4110
Navajo Dam, NM 87419
505 632-2278
Fishing lakes in each state.
061925
Navajo Lake in New Mexico.
NEW MEXICO


Information about fishing lakes in New Mexico
Navajo Lake offers bass, catfish, crappie, trout, bluegill, kokanee salmon and northern pike fishing in northern NM.