Fishing

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Welcome to the Fisherman’s Paradise!

Anglers will find numerous opportunities for fishing at Elephant Butte Lake, Caballo LakePercha Dam, and the Rio Grande.

Local fishing guidesWatercraft / Boat RentalsFishing Supplies

Elephant Butte Lake, the largest body of water in New Mexico, is known for record-breaking bass, walleye, catfish, crappie, white and black bass, and stripers.

Caballo Lake is another excellent location for boat fishing, yielding bass, crappie, catfish, and walleye, while Percha Dam and the Rio Grande (which runs north-to-south through the center of the county) offer excellent shore fishing.

New Mexico Fishing Licenses

Fishing licenses can be renewed online annually starting April 1.

Buy a fishing license

Annual Fees

annual fishing license fees
small mouth bass caught at elephant butte lake

Fishing Tournaments

Fishing tournaments happen throughout the year. Annual tournaments include the Kayak Fishing Tournament, usually held in May, and the Father’s Day weekend Junior Open.

An ongoing tournament series is also available with the Elephant Butte Bass Anglers, a club made up mainly of locals and residents of the region. If fishing competitively with a group of nice guys sounds fun to you, contact Mike Kmatz: mnckmatz@windstream.net or 575-740-2261.

Recommended Fishing Spots

See the legends on the Caballo Lake MapPercha Dam Map, and Elephant Butte Lake Map for fishing spots recommended by NM State Parks (as well as park entrances, marina and boat dock locations, picnic facilities, and more)…

Whether you’re on a boat or shore-fishing, something is likely to be biting.

shore fishing at elephant butte lake

Fishing Reports / What’s Biting

Butte General Store & Marine Fishing Reports
New Mexico Fish and Game Department’s statistics on local fishing

Marinas / Fishing Boat Rentals

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Elephant Butte

Dam Site Marina

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marina del sur
Elephant Butte

Marina del Sur

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Bait & Fishing Supplies

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Arrey

Baquera’s Grocery

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Elephant Butte

Butte General Store & Marine

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Elephant Butte

Dam Site Marina

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Caballo

Lil Abner’s RV Park & General Store

baitcandyfishing suppliesgroceriesice creamsnacks
marina del sur
Elephant Butte

Marina del Sur

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Elephant Butte

Pat’s

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Truth or Consequences

Walmart Superstore

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Elephant Butte

Zia Kayak Outfitters

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