Hidden Lake Fishing near Chama, New Mexico

• Overview

  Hidden Lake is a Rio Arriba County water, in New Mexico. Rolling bush runs right down to the water. Surface area runs to about 2 acres — small enough to read in one session. Most waters listed here for Rio Arriba County are larger. Start from Chama, 22 miles down the road. Further out sit Santa Teresa (36 miles) and Dulce (40 miles). It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Hidden Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Fish documented in Rio Arriba County include white sucker, cutthroat trout, brown trout, yellow perch and Rio Grande sucker. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Hidden Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 58°F and January near 19°F on the long-run figures. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Winter locks it down, and early May brings it back. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early May until roughly late November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Expect Hidden Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Should this one be busy, Trout Lakes is 1.1 miles off. Rules at Hidden Lake are worth checking on the day.