Lake Sumner in De Baca County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Within De Baca County, New Mexico, you have Lake Sumner. Around the bank it is pine and hardwood. It measures some 1,262 acres, and wind has room to build across it. By size it stands out even at New Mexico level. Santa Rosa lies 27 miles from the water. Further out sit Tucumcari (53 miles) and Cannon Air Force Base (63 miles). Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Lake Sumner

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Across De Baca County, recorded fish include channel catfish, spotted bass and bigscale logperch. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Lake Sumner gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 77°F; by January the average is down near 37°F. The season runs year-round, with the peak either side of summer. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. It holds true on Lake Sumner more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. A launch point is recorded some 0.9 miles off. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Fish Pond sits 7.1 miles off and takes the overflow. Treat Lake Sumner as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.