Navajo Lake, a large reservoir straddling the state line between northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, is the second-largest body of water in New Mexico and offers over 150 miles of shoreline. Its varied underwater geography, from shallow coves to deep canyons, supports a unique mix of both cold-water and warm-water game fish species. This diversity makes it a popular year-round destination for anglers.
Dominant Cold-Water Game Fish
The deep, cool sections of Navajo Lake are home to cold-water species. These fish seek lower depths where water temperatures remain consistently low, often concentrating near the dam. The most sought-after cold-water species is the Kokanee Salmon, a landlocked form of Sockeye Salmon.
Kokanee Salmon are stocked and spend their lives in the lake’s open waters, feeding primarily on zooplankton. They are known for their silvery appearance until the fall, when mature adults develop a distinct red coloration and the males grow a prominent hooked jaw as they prepare to spawn. These salmon are typically found in the central and northern parts of the lake, especially during the summer when they inhabit the thermocline layer. Anglers often employ downriggers and trolling gear to present lures at the depths these schooling fish prefer.
Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout are also components of the cold-water population and are available year-round. Rainbow Trout are regularly stocked, providing consistent angling opportunity near marinas and along the shoreline, especially during the cooler months. Brown Trout, in contrast, have established naturally reproducing populations in the lake and its tributaries, often growing to larger sizes. They are more solitary and frequently inhabit areas with rocky structure or submerged timber, preferring to ambush their prey in low light conditions.
Supporting Warm-Water Species
The lake’s shallower arms and coves provide habitat for popular warm-water game fish. The most common species in this category is the Smallmouth Bass, known for its powerful fight and preference for rocky structure. Smallmouth Bass populations are strong in Navajo Lake, where they patrol shorelines and submerged ledges to feed on crayfish and small baitfish.
Largemouth Bass are also present, preferring the warmer, brushy slack water found in the upper reaches and large coves of the reservoir. They typically inhabit areas with heavy cover, such as flooded timber or thick aquatic vegetation, where they can wait in ambush. Channel Catfish are abundant throughout the lake, particularly in the warmer, higher-depth water, and are often targeted by anglers using bait on the bottom.
Other panfish species like Black Crappie and Bluegill add to the diversity of the warm-water fishery. Crappie are frequently caught around submerged brush piles and standing timber, especially during their spring spawning period when they move into very shallow water. Northern Pike, a predatory fish with a preference for cooler parts of the warm water zone, have also established a presence in the lake. They are often found lurking near points and weed beds, preying on other fish species.
Navigating Fishing Regulations and Management
Fishing Navajo Lake presents a unique management challenge, as the reservoir spans two state jurisdictions, New Mexico and Colorado. An angler fishing any portion of the lake must possess a valid fishing license from the state in which they are physically located. Anglers crossing the state line while fishing must possess a license for both New Mexico and Colorado to avoid a violation.
Both the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) actively manage the fishery, including stocking programs for trout and salmon. However, specific regulations regarding size and bag limits can differ significantly between the two states. For example, New Mexico permits a special Kokanee Salmon snagging season, which typically runs from October 1 to December 31, with a bag limit of 12 fish per day and 24 in possession.
Possession limits for trout and bass also require careful attention, as management goals vary by state. Many waters managed by CPW may impose a minimum size of 15 inches for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, while NMDGF often has a general bag limit of five trout and salmon combined per day. Anglers should always consult the current year’s regulations from both agencies before fishing near the state border to ensure compliance with the specific rules governing both their method of fishing and their catch.