Fishing at Red Lake, Mora County, New Mexico

• Overview

  Set in Mora County, New Mexico, this is Red Lake. Height above sea level is 6,991 feet. Around 172 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. It is among the larger waters listed here for Mora County. The closest town, Las Vegas, is 24 miles away. The nearest city of size is Albuquerque, 100 miles away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Red Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Across Mora County, recorded fish include cutthroat trout, white sucker, brown trout and Gila trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Treat Red Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 66°F in July and bottoms out near 30°F in January. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. At Red Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. La Cueva Lake at 0.7 miles is the sensible second choice. Rules at Red Lake are worth checking on the day.