Navajo Lake
Navajo Lake is a reservoir on the San Juan River in northwest New Mexico that reaches north into Colorado. It is known for smallmouth bass, kokanee and northern pike.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Smallmouth Bass
The state rates Navajo's smallmouth population as very good.
Kokanee
Landlocked sockeye. Troll small dodgers and hoochies in summer.
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
Rainbow Trout
Shorelines and inlets in cool months, deeper water in summer.
Crappie
Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.
When they bite
Month-by-month activity for each target species.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smallmouth Bass | ||||||||||||
| Kokanee | ||||||||||||
| Northern Pike | ||||||||||||
| Rainbow Trout |
Boat launches
4 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Pine Recreation Area Boat RampFeeNM State Parks ramp at the Pine site near Navajo Dam, next to Navajo Lake Marina; park day-use feeDirections ↗
- Sims Mesa Boat RampFeeNM State Parks ramp on the east side below Sims Mesa Campground, next to Sims MarinaDirections ↗
- Navajo State Park Ramp (Arboles, CO)FeeColorado Parks and Wildlife ramp at the north end of the lake near Arboles; CO park pass requiredDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee New Mexico Game & Fish or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Kokanee Snagging Oct 1-Dec 31; no-wake areas closed Oct 1-Nov 12 | See New Mexico rules book ↗ | 12 / day (snagging, 24 possession) |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Navajo Lake Marina StoreNearby42 CR 4110, Navajo Dam, NM(505) 632-3245Directions ↗
- Sims MarinaNearbySims Mesa, Navajo Dam, NM(505) 320-0885Directions ↗
Local tips
- Navajo Lake Marina and Sims Marina have fuel, slips and rentals.
- The San Juan River Quality Waters below the dam are a famous catch-and-release trout stretch.
- Fishing on the Colorado end needs a Colorado license.
Angler reports
Water temp, what's biting, and anything else other anglers should know about Navajo Lake.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.