Saladon Lake near Angel Fire: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Within Colfax County, New Mexico, you have Saladon Lake. The country here is pine and birch. It measures about 77 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. It is high ground by New Mexico standards. Nearest town is Angel Fire, 5.1 miles off. For a city, Albuquerque is 123 miles off. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Saladon Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Fish documented in Colfax County include cutthroat trout, white sucker, rainbow trout, brown trout and green sunfish. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Fish Saladon Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 55°F in July and bottom out at 20°F in January. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around early May. Break-up near early May, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Saladon Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Agua Fria Lake sits 2.7 miles off and takes the overflow. The position on Saladon Lake is worth confirming on the day.