Horseshoe Lake Fishing near Arroyo Seco, New Mexico

• Overview

  Horseshoe Lake belongs to Taos County, New Mexico. It lies 11,929 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 6 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. It sits higher than most water we list in New Mexico. Arroyo Seco is the closest place, 9.6 miles off. After that come Taos Pueblo at 12 miles and Angel Fire at 14 miles. The boundary is near enough that local access rules are worth double-checking.

• Where to Fish on Horseshoe Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Survey and observation records for Taos County include cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and white sucker. The county list is broader than any single water. Horseshoe Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 52°F and January near 19°F. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Break-up comes around mid May, and the run that follows is short and strong. Ice usually gives way near mid May, and forms again about mid November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Plan any trip to Horseshoe Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. The nearest alternative is Lost Lake, 0.9 miles out. Ask locally about Horseshoe Lake if anything is unclear.