Fishing

As one of the largest lakes in New Mexico, it is comes as no surprise that Navajo Lake also offers a great selection of game fish to target.  The primary species of Navajo Lake include crappie, smallmouth bass, kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish.  For the panfish such as bluegill and crappie, anglers should target areas of the lake that are well sheltered.  This includes the usual weed beds and timber, but also the crevices and holes created by the unique rocky structure of Navajo Lake.  Fishermen can also target these panfish from the points and piers of Navajo Lake.  Once in an ideal fishing spot, jigs and small lures should be used.  Nightcrawlers and crickets are ideal baits throughout the year.  Smallmouth bass also tend to reside in the same sheltered areas as the panfish, although they often range into deeper waters.  Navajo smallmouth bass can be caught by using topwater lures, buzzbaits, spinners and many other varieties of tackle setups.  A light to medium weight rod equipped with a line of at least 12 pounds of test is recommended.  The rainbow and brown trout of Navajo Lake are frequently targeted by fly fishermen in the area where the water moves near the rivers.  The Navajo Dam is good location to target because of the cold, moving water from the San Juan River.  Small to medium-sized flies are usually successful.  Northern pike can be targeted along the lake’s deep water weed beds at about 20 to 25 feet deep.  Fishermen should troll for them at speeds of 6 to 8 miles per hour using crankbaits or medium-sized spoons.  Kokanee salmon can be targeted by trolling between early Spring and early Winter in different locations of Navajo Lake.  During the morning, anglers should target the depth range of 20 to 25 feet.  During midday and the late afternoon, fishermen should travel to deeper waters and target depths of 50 to 60 feet.  Tackle should be brightly colored and flashy.  A good example includes a lure such as an R&K spinner and a dodger or flasher.  The channel catfish of Navajo Lake is not the most popular target, but it can be caught in the depths of the lake.  The deep habitats formed by the rocks as well as the deep water near the dam are both excellent places to search for catfish.  Bottom rigs with two ounce weights and a stink bait is a decent setup.

Facilities

The facilities and accommodations of Navajo Lake include a marina, boat landings, fishing piers, fishing guides, cleaning stations, and restrooms.

The Lake

Navajo Lake is large with a surface area of 15,600 acres.  Its maximum depth is 400 feet.

Fishermen who decide to enjoy a trip to Navajo Lake will surely experience one of the greatest lakes that the Southwest has to offer. 

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