Black Rock Reservoir, New Mexico: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Black Rock Reservoir in McKinley County, New Mexico. It sits in rolling hill country. Around 229 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. The bank runs about 2.2 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Few waters listed in McKinley County are bigger. Some 0.6 miles away sits Black Rock, the nearest settlement. Beyond it, Zuni Pueblo at 4 miles and Houck at 27 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Black Rock Reservoir

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Across McKinley County, recorded fish include bluehead sucker, green sunfish, muskellunge and Rio Grande sucker. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. On Black Rock Reservoir that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 70°F; the cold one sits at 31°F. Seasons here are moderate, and the fishing runs most of the year. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. The season on Black Rock Reservoir follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Records show it does not hold water year-round. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Should this one be busy, Eustace Lake is 1.8 miles off. The position on Black Rock Reservoir is worth confirming on the day.