Fishing at Laguna Blanquita, Sandoval County, New Mexico

• Overview

  This water sits in Sandoval County, New Mexico. It stands 8,428 feet above sea level. The closest town, Laguna, is 22 miles distant. The nearest city of size is Albuquerque, 45 miles away. More in the same country: 14 miles away is San Mateo Reservoir, Lady Lake at about 22 miles and 37 miles away is Zia Reservoir. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Laguna Blanquita

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Species logged across Sandoval County include white sucker, cutthroat trout and brown trout. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Fish Laguna Blanquita where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 64°F in July and bottom out at 25°F in January. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late March. Ice clears near late March and comes back about mid December in a typical year. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Laguna Blanquita.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Records show it does not hold water year-round. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. San Mateo Reservoir sits 14 miles off and takes the overflow. Treat Laguna Blanquita as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.