Long Lake in Catron County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Look for Long Lake in Catron County, New Mexico. Height above sea level is 7,457 feet. Surface area is around 45 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. The closest town, Alamo, is 39 miles distant. Albuquerque is the closest city, 103 miles away. In the same area: Santianez Lake roughly 5.3 miles, Cox Lake sits 6.8 miles out, Cat Lake roughly 13 miles, Sweazea Lake sits 15 miles out and Gabaldon Lake roughly 16 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Long Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Fish Long Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep. Deeper water next to shallow is more useful than either on its own.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 66°F in July and bottoms out near 28°F in January. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Plan around that when you fish Long Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. This one is mapped as intermittent, so a wasted trip is a real risk in a dry year. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Should this one be busy, Santianez Lake is 5.3 miles off. For Long Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.