Poker Lake

Poker Lake in Eddy County is a lake in New Mexico and covers about 2.7 acres, reaches about 4.3 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 6.5 acre-feet.

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

Fish and Baits

When the bite is slow on Poker Lake, the fish mix here is not confirmed, so check fresh local information before choosing a target or keeping a catch.

Keep the first check on Poker Lake simple: 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 changing spots on Poker Lake, 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

While fishing Poker 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.

A Simple Tackle Plan

While learning Poker 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.

For a short trip to Poker Lake, 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.