Dog Lake in McKinley County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  McKinley County in New Mexico is where Dog Lake sits. This is open valley country. The water measures roughly 7 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. It is one of the smaller waters we list in McKinley County. Supplies mean a trip to Black Rock, 19 miles off. Albuquerque is the closest city, 103 miles away. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Dog Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Records held for McKinley County cover bluehead sucker, green sunfish, muskellunge, Rio Grande sucker and rainbow trout. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Fish Dog Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 67°F on average, January about 28°F. The year turns gently, without extremes at either end. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. The season on Dog Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. It is recorded as intermittent, which means the basin empties in dry spells. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. For a change of water, Togeye Lake is 2.6 miles distant. Ask locally about Dog Lake if anything is unclear.