Fishing Elephant Butte Lake

AKA: The Butte, Elephant Butte Reservoir

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Elephant Butte Lake Fishing Video
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Elephant Butte Reservoir, NM

Popular Fish Species Elephant Butte Lake, NM

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Elephant Butte Lake offers great fishing for largemouth bass. In fact, it is one of Bassmasters' top 10 bass lakes in the Western United States. Lately the fishing here for bass has been outstanding. Plenty of big bass roam the depths of Elephant Butte Lake, thanks to excellent fisheries management by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, as well as the availability of extensive cover for both baitfish and bass. When the bite is good, bass typically move shallow and are quite aggressive. If you find them shallow and they are not tempted to bite, slow down and use smaller, lighter baits. Fishing for largemouth bass is good virtually any time they are shallow - in spring, mornings in summer, and during warm Fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time fishing Elephant Butte Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Smallmouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.

Striped Bass Fishing

The state record striper came out of Elephant Butte Lake, and weighed over 54 pounds. Plenty of big striped bass continue to cruise the lake in search of food, are are being caught with regularity. Due to their large size, striped bass are a favorite of many locals and fishing guides at Elephant Butte Lake. In Spring and Fall work the upper end of the lake where water is flowing into the lake. Look for deeper water in the river channel, as a holding place for stripers. In Summer and Winter, stripers hang out in deeper water during the day and feed close to the bottom, 50 feet or deeper. Morning often draws the stripers to much shallower water, look for them from the surface down to around the 20-foot range as they feed on shallow-running schools of bait. The lake is filled with plenty of baitfish and sunfish to to keep the fishery thriving. Being successful at fishing for stripers is a matter of locating schools of bait, and the wolf packs of stripers which are likely to be nearby. Fish finders, and forward facing sonar, are a big help in locating these roaming schools. Live bait is very effective here, and stripers can be caught year round.

White Bass Fishing

After several very successful spawn years, white bass are flourishing in Elephant Butte Lake and anglers should expect some great fishing this year. White bass are aggressive, hard-fighting and just plain fun to catch. When fishing for white bass, the average fish is typically in the one- to two-pound range. These schooling fish tend to roam around the lake looking for ideal water conditions and baitfish. Look for them to generally be in 15 to 35 feet of water, whether they are hovering around the bottom or swimming in open water. Fish finders are the best way to locate big schools of white bass. In spring, once the water temperature rises into the mid sixties, they move shallow into the backs of coves and creek channels to spawn. At this time anglers can fish from shore and often do quite well. Use lures that imitate baitfish, including crankbaits, jerkbaits, jigs and spoons.

Elephant Butte Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill and striped bass at Elephant Butte Lake in New Mexico.

With a long-standing reputation for bass and striper fishing, Elephant Butte Lake is a top choice for serious fishing enthusiasts. This 36,000-acre lake is located in the west-central part of the state, at Truth or Consequences.

Over 360 miles of shoreline are available to anglers fishing from a boat. For bank fishing from shore, there over a dozen areas with easy access. Quality fishing is available for bass, catfish, crappie, walleye, bluegill and striped bass. Four major boat launch ramps are available to the public. Rental boats are also available at the lake.

Fishing Report

Primary fish species residing in Elephant Butte Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Elephant Butte Reservoir Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

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