Goat Windmill

Goat Windmill is a reservoir in Otero County, New Mexico, and covers about 0.2 acres, reaches about 1.8 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 0.2 acre-feet.

On a water as small as Goat Windmill, one weed edge or deeper pocket can hold much of the day’s activity. With little deep water in Goat Windmill, weeds, wind, and water color can matter more than depth alone.

Fish and Baits

For a short trip to Goat Windmill, the fish mix here is not confirmed, so check fresh local information before choosing a target or keeping a catch.

For the next pass on Goat Windmill, 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

While fishing Goat Windmill, 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

The plan for Goat Windmill starts here: 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

At Goat Windmill, 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.

Use this plain plan on Goat Windmill: 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.