Berland Lake Fishing Guide, San Juan County, New Mexico

• Overview

  San Juan County in New Mexico is where Berland Lake sits. This is rolling bush country. Surface area runs to about 8 acres — small enough to read in one session. Navajo at 16 miles is the nearest place to stop. Then Tsaile, 21 miles, and Lukachukai, 27 miles. Other water nearby: Little White Cone Lake (5 miles), 8.3 miles away is Black Lake, Toadlena Lake (8.3 miles), 9.3 miles away is Long Lake and Bowl Lake (9.6 miles). One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Berland Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Reported across San Juan County: flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker, channel catfish, common carp and largemouth bass. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. At Berland Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 24°F to 63°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about early December. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. Time your trip to Berland Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Little White Cone Lake sits 5 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Berland Lake before loading the car.