Randle's Question:

I want to know what the top lakes and reservoirs are to go fishing at in New Mexico. Please help! Thanks.

— Randle

Mark's Answer:

	Meet Mark Expert Answers Archive

Dear Randle —

Boy is this a loaded question. What are your variables in deciding what constitutes the best lakes? Are you fishing for bass? Trout? Pike? Walleye? Catfish? What equipment are you using? Will you fish from the bank or from a boat? Are you wanting a variety of fish? Big fish? Scenery? My list of the best might not match up with ten other people's lists. And there are a lot of lakes in New Mexico. Some lakes are better now than years ago and some have declined. That being said, here goes anyway (in no particular order and I have no doubt some of the choices on my list would not appear on other lists, so readers, be sure to chime in if you have other lakes to list):

Mark's Top 22 New Mexico Lakes

Maxwell Lake Number 13
Cochiti Lake
Elephant Butte Lake
Stone Lake (if recovered from the carp infestation)
El Vado Lake
Heron Lake
McAllister Lake
Eagle Nest Lake
Caballo Lake
Fenton Lake
San Gregorio Lake
Latir Lakes
Cabresto Lake
Morphy Lake
Lake Katherine
Stewart Lake
Navajo Lake
Lake Maloya (we used to catch nice browns there but I don't know lately)
Abiquiu Lake
Nambe Falls Lake
Lake Carlsbad
Conchas Lake

Good luck,
Mark D. Williams