El Vado Lake
El Vado Lake State Park describes a 2,100-acre to 3,200-acre lake (size depends on water level) that is a designated coldwater fishery, with a maximum depth of about 170 feet when full.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Rainbow Trout
Shorelines and inlets in cool months, deeper water in summer.
Brown Trout
Low-light hours and cold water. Big fish on minnow baits.
Lake Trout
Deep, cold water. Downriggers or vertical jigging.
Kokanee
Landlocked sockeye. Troll small dodgers and hoochies in summer.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Bluegill
Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.
Boat launches
3 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- North El Vado RampRampAccessed off NM 95Directions ↗
- Main RampRampAccessed just past the main park officeDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the state agency or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in El Vado Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near El Vado Lake ↗Local tips
- Size ranges from 2,100 to 3,200 acres with water level; confirm ramp access before heading out.
- Coldwater fishery to about 170 feet deep; troll deeper for lake trout and kokanee.
- Two ramps: North El Vado off NM 95 and the Main Ramp past the park office.
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More New Mexico lakes
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.