Badger Tank

Badger Tank in Hidalgo County is a reservoir in New Mexico and covers about 0.7 acres, reaches about 2.6 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 1.1 acre-feet.

The small size of Badger Tank makes quiet casts and short moves more useful than carrying a pile of tackle. With little deep water in Badger Tank, weeds, wind, and water color can matter more than depth alone.

Fish and Baits

During the first hour on Badger Tank, the fish mix here is not confirmed, so check fresh local information before choosing a target or keeping a catch.

The plan for Badger Tank starts here: begin with one slow bottom presentation and one moving bait, then let bites show whether fish are holding close to cover or roaming open water.

How to Read the Water

For the next pass on Badger Tank, do not let the deepest number control the whole day; nearby cover, firm bottom, and food usually matter more than the deepest hole by itself.

Season by Season

Before moving far on Badger Tank, in spring, start with warming banks, creek mouths, and shallow cover; summer usually pushes the better bite toward the outside weed edge or a nearby drop; fall can bring bait back to windblown points, while winter calls for smaller moves and a slower pace.

A Simple Tackle Plan

Keep the first check on Badger Tank simple: a medium spinning rod, 8-pound line, a small box of jigs, a few crankbaits, and a simple bottom rig cover most situations; change depth or speed before changing every piece of tackle.

While fishing Badger Tank, record the wind, water color, productive depth, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce.