Bear Tank

Bear Tank in the northern part of Catron County is a reservoir in New Mexico and covers about 0.2 acres, reaches about 1.8 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 0.2 acre-feet.

A focused trip to Bear Tank begins this way: on a water as small as this water, one weed edge or deeper pocket can hold much of the day’s activity. A direct approach on Bear Tank works like this: this water is shallow, so weeds, wind, and water color can matter more than depth alone.

Fish and Baits

At Bear Tank in the northern part of Catron County, the fish mix here is not confirmed, so check fresh local information before choosing a target or keeping a catch.

At Bear Tank in the northern part of Catron County, 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

Before moving far on Bear Tank, use wind as a clue; a light push can carry food toward a bank, but hard wind may muddy it, so look for a clean edge near a point or protected pocket.

Season by Season

For a short trip to Bear Tank, early in the year, protected water and the first warm afternoon can be the best clues; as the water heats up, check deeper edges without assuming every fish is on the bottom; cooling fall water often makes points and firm banks useful again.

A Simple Tackle Plan

At Bear Tank in the northern part of Catron County, 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.

At Bear Tank in the northern part of Catron County, 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.