Bonito Lake is a reservoir in New Mexico, near Lincoln County.
Stocking records show that the following fish or strains were stocked here. A historical stocking does not by itself prove that a self-sustaining population remains today.
Bonito Lake is a reservoir in Lincoln County, New Mexico, and covers about 38.9 acres, reaches about 70 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 1,230 acre-feet.
A direct approach on Bonito Lake works like this: a point, weed edge, or small drop is more important than simply covering the whole shoreline. Deep water at Bonito Lake gives fish room to move away from shore as summer heat and bright light build.
For the next pass on Bonito Lake, the fish mix here is not confirmed, so check fresh local information before choosing a target or keeping a catch.
While learning Bonito Lake, 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.
Brook Trout, and Rainbow Trout have also been stocked here; that proves fish were released, but it does not promise that they are still common or easy to catch.
A focused trip to Bonito Lake begins this way: start where two things meet: weeds and open water, rock and mud, a point and a drop, or clear water and dirty water; fish that edge at more than one depth before leaving it.
During the first hour on Bonito Lake, 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.
For a first pass on Bonito Lake, 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.
The early check on Bonito Lake should stay simple: 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.
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.
Source dates describe the evidence, not a live catch forecast. Check the managing authority before planning access or keeping fish.
The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.
Source checked:
This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.
The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.
Source checked:
This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.