The Best Places For SUP Fishing In New Mexico: Unveiling the Hidden Gems!
New Mexico is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering breathtaking landscapes and abundant fishing opportunities. Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) fishing has gained immense popularity in recent years, combining the thrill of angling with the serenity of paddleboarding. This article explores 20 of the best places to SUP fish in New Mexico, highlighting the type of fish you can catch, the recommended lures or bait to use, the best time of year to fish, and notable catches in recent years. These locations continue to offer fantastic fishing experiences.
Key Highlights
Abiquiu Reservoir: Known for its largemouth and smallmouth bass, optimal fishing in spring and fall. Record bass caught in May 2022, weighing 7.5 pounds.
Bluewater Lake: A haven for trophy-sized tiger muskie with a record catch of 34 pounds in October 2021. Also home to rainbow trout and catfish.
Caballo Lake: Offers a variety of species including largemouth bass, with the biggest bass catch in June 2023, weighing 8.2 pounds.
Cochiti Lake: Ideal for smallmouth bass, with a record catch of 5.9 pounds in September 2022. Also, a great spot for walleye and catfish.
Conchas Lake: Famous for walleye with a 6.8-pound catch in May 2023. Largemouth and smallmouth bass also thrive here.
Eagle Nest Lake: Offers trophy-sized trout with a 12.5-pound rainbow trout caught in September 2021.
El Vado Lake: Renowned for its northern pike, with a 41-inch catch in June 2022.
Elephant Butte Lake: New Mexico's largest reservoir, known for white bass with a record 3.4-pound catch in April 2023.
Fenton Lake: Stocked with rainbow trout, offering great catches like a 4.8-pound trout in June 2022.
Heron Lake: Pristine spot for kokanee salmon, with a record 3.2-pound catch in July 2022.
Navajo Lake: Offers a variety of species including a 6.1-pound smallmouth bass caught in August 2022.
Pecos River: Excellent for rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout with a record 4.6-pound brown trout in September 2022.
Rio Grande: Provides a diverse fishing experience with a 5.3-pound smallmouth bass caught in July 2022.
Santa Rosa Lake: Known for largemouth bass, with a 6.7-pound catch in June 2022.
Storrie Lake: A small yet productive spot for rainbow trout with a 3.1-pound catch in May 2022.
Ute Lake: Popular for crappie fishing with a record 2.7-pound catch in June 2023.
Villanueva State Park: Offers picturesque trout fishing with a 3.9-pound brown trout caught in July 2022.
Ute Creek: Ideal for trout fishing with a 2.9-pound rainbow trout caught in August 2022.
Clayton Lake State Park: Offers largemouth bass fishing with a 5.6-pound catch in July 2022.