Fishing at Laguna Concho, Cibola County, New Mexico

• Overview

  In New Mexico, Laguna Concho belongs to Cibola County. Elevation runs to 7,457 feet. It measures about 32 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The nearest town is Black Rock, 29 miles away. Albuquerque sits 97 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Laguna Concho

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Species logged across Cibola County include bluehead sucker, green sunfish and muskellunge. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. At Laguna Concho light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 67°F in July and bottom out at 28°F in January. The season stretches long at both ends here. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Plan around that when you fish Laguna Concho.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Records show it does not hold water year-round. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Pig-a-be-ikiti at 5 miles is the nearest alternative. For Laguna Concho in particular, ask before you travel.