Fishing Sumner Lake

AKA: Lake Sumner

Popular Fish Species
Sumner Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Sumner Lake, NM

Popular Fish Species Sumner Lake, NM

Sumner Lake Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

One of the best kept secrets at Sumner Lake is the great bass fishing. Smallmouth bass fishing at Sumner Lake are tough fighters and exciting to catch. 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. Largemouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.

Walleye Fishing

A healthy population of walleye are thriving in the waters of Sumner Lake this year. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower and closer to shore. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Crappie Fishing

Although crappie fishing here is not as good as it was in the glory days, there is still good fishing for both black and white crappie. They generally school by species, but once you locate them around cover, you may catch both species due to the fact they often share the same cover. Crappie fishing is on the rise and they can be found in sizeable schools. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Sumner Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, bluegill and white bass at Sumner Lake in New Mexico.

If you enjoy fishing for a wide variety of fish species, you'll love Sumner Lake - a 4,500-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, 15 miles northwest of Fort Sumner. There are many access points along the over 30 miles of shoreline for fishing from the bank.

The boat ramps are open for launching fishing boats, canoes, kayaks, pontoons and pleasure boats. Choose to fish for walleye, bass, crappie, trout, sunfish and catfish, all the while enjoying the great views.

Primary fish species residing in Sumner Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Sumner Lake Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NO
Restaurant: NEARBY

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

East Side Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Eastside Campground Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Main Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Westside Campground Loop, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.