Penasco Lakes in Cibola County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Penasco Lakes is listed under Cibola County, New Mexico. This is open valley country. Some 33 miles away sits Black Rock, the nearest settlement. Albuquerque is the closest city, 102 miles away. Nearby, in order: Laguna Larga roughly 1.7 miles, Sokno Lake within 2.5 miles, La Baca Lake roughly 2.7 miles, Bull Lake within 3 miles and Mantequilla Lake roughly 3.7 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Penasco Lakes

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Fish documented in Cibola County include bluehead sucker, green sunfish, muskellunge, Rio Grande sucker and rainbow trout. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Penasco Lakes responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 68°F, with January the cold end at about 28°F. The season stretches long at both ends here. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Penasco Lakes fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. For a change of water, Laguna Larga is 1.7 miles distant. The position on Penasco Lakes is worth confirming on the day.