Fishing Santa Rosa Lake

AKA: Santa Rosa Lake State Park

Popular Fish Species
Santa Rosa Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Boat Launch Ramps
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
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Santa Rosa Lake, NM

Popular Fish Species Santa Rosa Lake, NM

Santa Rosa Lake Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth bass are a favorite of many locals at Santa Rosa Lake, as they are tough fighters and exciting to catch. Fishing for smallmouth bass is good anytime they are shallow - in spring, during high water, mornings in summer and during warmer fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap, and around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with small worms, jigs and spoons. Largemouth bass also reside here in good numbers.

Santa Rosa Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Santa Rosa Lake continues to deliver good catches of largemouth bass, as has been the case for several years now. Thorough fisheries management by the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish has maintained a quality bass fishery providing both quantity and quality for anglers. Smallmouth bass also reside here in good numbers. Recent results by locals, and bass fishing tournament participants, attest to the fact that fishing for largemouth bass has been quite rewarding lately. A significant number of larger bass also roam these waters, so there is always the potential for catching a lunker. Bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. If you find them shallow, and they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. 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 options. In winter, spend your time fishing Santa Rosa Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Fishing for largemouth bass can range from fair to very good here, year round.

Walleye Fishing

Thanks to good fisheries management by the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish, a healthy population of walleye are thriving in the waters of Santa Rosa Lake this year. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower and closer to shore. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Santa Rosa Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout and bluegill at Santa Rosa Lake in New Mexico.

Loaded with a wide variety of fish species, Santa Rosa Lake is a 3,800-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Santa Rosa. Use the boat ramp to launch canoes, kayaks, pleasure craft, pontoons and fishing boats.

Anglers can cruise the over 20 miles of shoreline in search of bass, catfish, crappie, walleye, trout and sunfish. There is no marina or rental boats, so com prepared to be self sustaining. In nearby Santa Rosa there are restaurants, stores and lodging.

Primary fish species residing in Santa Rosa Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Santa Rosa Lake Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NO
Restaurant: NEARBY

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Juniper Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, at the east end of the dam, off State Route 91, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.