Bill Evans Lake fishing

Bill Evans Lake fishing is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, and Channel Catfish on a reservoir. It is stocked about 15 times a year since 2020, most often in February and October. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and Largemouth Bass and dusk and night for Channel Catfish.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
October 16, 2026
· Rainbow Trout
Plants on record
103
Since 2020
Species recorded
3
Average size
10.8 in
Elevation
4,676.5 ft

Fish at Bill Evans Lake

3 stocked · 0 confirmed present

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 88 plants · last March 19, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked March 19, 2026 · avg 10.3 in · 88 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide
Channel Catfish Stocked · 10 plants · last June 3, 2026 Best: dusk, night

Last stocked June 3, 2026 · avg 17.3 in · 10 plants

Best: dusk, night

Channel Catfish species guide
Largemouth Bass Stocked · 4 plants · last September 30, 2025 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked September 30, 2025 · avg 5.4 in · 4 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Largemouth Bass species guide

How Bill Evans Lake is stocked

Source: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

No plants recorded in 2023.

Fish stocked in 2020

38,360

Fish stocked in 2021

31,858

Fish stocked in 2022

11,896

Fish stocked in 2024

16,361

Fish stocked in 2025

41,387

Fish stocked in 2026

16,731

Stocking history

Source: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
October 16, 2026Rainbow Trout3,17610.5 inreport
June 3, 2026Channel Catfish12018 inreport
April 23, 2026Channel Catfish48018 inreport
March 19, 2026Rainbow Trout1,62410 inreport
March 18, 2026Rainbow Trout3,96810 inreport
March 12, 2026Rainbow Trout3,98410 inreport
March 3, 2026Rainbow Trout1,49910.1 inreport
February 17, 2026Rainbow Trout96010.1 inreport
February 3, 2026Rainbow Trout54812.2 inreport
January 29, 2026Rainbow Trout1,12812 inreport
January 22, 2026Rainbow Trout49012.1 inreport
January 13, 2026Rainbow Trout35211.5 inreport
January 7, 2026Rainbow Trout1,57810 inreport
December 30, 2025Rainbow Trout94010.2 inreport
December 23, 2025Rainbow Trout1,30910.2 inreport
December 19, 2025Rainbow Trout95311.5 inreport
December 11, 2025Rainbow Trout1,36811.3 inreport
December 9, 2025Rainbow Trout68411.3 inreport
December 2, 2025Rainbow Trout90711.5 inreport
November 20, 2025Rainbow Trout1,63210.7 inreport
October 30, 2025Rainbow Trout43710 inreport
October 27, 2025Rainbow Trout1,72910 inreport
October 23, 2025Rainbow Trout1,91210.1 inreport
October 21, 2025Rainbow Trout1,61710.2 inreport
October 10, 2025Rainbow Trout1,8799.5 inreport
October 7, 2025Rainbow Trout1,22910.5 inreport
September 30, 2025Largemouth Bass3,1585.1 inreport
August 28, 2025Channel Catfish31618 inreport
July 31, 2025Channel Catfish31618 inreport
June 26, 2025Channel Catfish31618 inreport
June 4, 2025Channel Catfish12018 inreport
April 24, 2025Channel Catfish48018 inreport
April 15, 2025Rainbow Trout37310.3 inreport
April 10, 2025Rainbow Trout1,42110.4 inreport
March 25, 2025Rainbow Trout92210.7 inreport
March 24, 2025Rainbow Trout2,71710.4 inreport
March 3, 2025Rainbow Trout3,70510.8 inreport
February 28, 2025Rainbow Trout1,76010.4 inreport
February 18, 2025Rainbow Trout3,47010 inreport
February 13, 2025Rainbow Trout1,56110.1 inreport
January 24, 2025Rainbow Trout89210.6 inreport
January 8, 2025Rainbow Trout3,26410.7 inreport
December 20, 2024Rainbow Trout1,87210.2 inreport
December 6, 2024Rainbow Trout3,30810.3 inreport
November 25, 2024Rainbow Trout2,98310.5 inreport
November 6, 2024Rainbow Trout1,61010.4 inreport
October 31, 2024Rainbow Trout96811.8 inreport
October 29, 2024Rainbow Trout95511.7 inreport
October 25, 2024Rainbow Trout62411.6 inreport
October 16, 2024Rainbow Trout40511.2 inreport
September 25, 2024Largemouth Bass2,9965.4 inreport
August 1, 2024Channel Catfish32418 inreport
July 2, 2024Channel Catfish31618 inreport
December 6, 2022Rainbow Trout2,0549.1 inreport
November 29, 2022Rainbow Trout2,4649.3 inreport
November 22, 2022Rainbow Trout2,0009.2 inreport
November 8, 2022Rainbow Trout1,6259.7 inreport
October 25, 2022Rainbow Trout1,75310 inreport
January 5, 2022Rainbow Trout32710.8 inreport
January 5, 2022Rainbow Trout1,67310.4 inreport
December 2, 2021Rainbow Trout1,44010.9 inreport
November 30, 2021Rainbow Trout9729.8 inreport
November 17, 2021Rainbow Trout1,3949.9 inreport
October 13, 2021Rainbow Trout1,1879.9 inreport
October 13, 2021Largemouth Bass3,1365.5 inreport
April 8, 2021Rainbow Trout51311.1 inreport
March 30, 2021Rainbow Trout1,1209.2 inreport
March 26, 2021Rainbow Trout2,7309.2 inreport
March 24, 2021Rainbow Trout1,0119.2 inreport
March 9, 2021Rainbow Trout2,1369.7 inreport
March 2, 2021Rainbow Trout58410.6 inreport
March 1, 2021Rainbow Trout1,44011.1 inreport
February 23, 2021Rainbow Trout1,36011.3 inreport
February 18, 2021Rainbow Trout1,95610.1 inreport
February 9, 2021Rainbow Trout1,36011.3 inreport
February 5, 2021Rainbow Trout51510.6 inreport
February 5, 2021Rainbow Trout86810 inreport
February 4, 2021Rainbow Trout1,44110.4 inreport
January 21, 2021Rainbow Trout1,6349.1 inreport
January 19, 2021Rainbow Trout1,6329.9 inreport
January 14, 2021Rainbow Trout1,6319.2 inreport
January 8, 2021Rainbow Trout1,7989.5 inreport
December 16, 2020Rainbow Trout1,80010 inreport
December 14, 2020Rainbow Trout3,2649 inreport
November 23, 2020Rainbow Trout1,6329.6 inreport
November 16, 2020Rainbow Trout1,6349.7 inreport
November 12, 2020Rainbow Trout1,6329.2 inreport
November 5, 2020Rainbow Trout1,6329.3 inreport
October 29, 2020Rainbow Trout1,63310 inreport
October 23, 2020Rainbow Trout2,4009.4 inreport
October 15, 2020Channel Catfish1,55011.2 inreport
October 6, 2020Largemouth Bass3,1375.6 inreport
March 9, 2020Rainbow Trout1,6339.5 inreport
March 2, 2020Rainbow Trout1,5209.7 inreport
February 26, 2020Rainbow Trout2,00010 inreport
February 25, 2020Rainbow Trout1,6339.5 inreport
February 18, 2020Rainbow Trout1,6329.4 inreport
February 13, 2020Rainbow Trout77210.9 inreport
February 7, 2020Rainbow Trout1,70410.5 inreport
February 7, 2020Rainbow Trout1,70410.5 inreport
January 28, 2020Rainbow Trout2,5849.1 inreport
January 14, 2020Rainbow Trout1,69110.2 inreport
January 7, 2020Rainbow Trout1,17310.2 inreport

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Cliff, NM
Facilities
restrooms, camping

NMDGF Bill Evans Lake WMA about eight miles south of Cliff between Cliff and Silver City. New boat ramp and fishing jetties plus improved north-side road access; old ramp modified for non-motorized craft. Boats limited to oars or electric motors.

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

View larger map · Open in Google Maps · Directions

Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish before you go.

Nearest lakes

Lake Roberts 26.6 mi last stocked October 1, 2026 Bear Canyon Reservoir 33.6 mi last stocked March 10, 2025 Snow Lake 38.2 mi last stocked June 11, 2026 Rio Grande (Elephant Butte to Caballo) 78.5 mi last stocked March 17, 2026 Elephant Butte Lake 85.1 mi last stocked June 9, 2026

Common questions

What fish are at Bill Evans Lake?

Fishing Bill Evans Lake usually means Rainbow Trout: Rainbow Trout accounts for 88 of 102 plants on record, ahead of Channel Catfish and one more. Rainbow Trout was last stocked March 19, 2026, averaging 10.3 in. Channel Catfish was last stocked June 3, 2026, averaging 17.3 in. Largemouth Bass was last stocked September 30, 2025, averaging 5.4 in.

When is Bill Evans Lake stocked?

Last stocked October 16, 2026. It is stocked about 15 times a year since 2020, most often in February and October. No plants recorded in 2023.

How big are the fish stocked at Bill Evans Lake?

Stocked fish average 10.8 in. Rainbow Trout average 10.3 in. Channel Catfish average 17.3 in. Largemouth Bass average 5.4 in.

How do you get on Bill Evans Lake?

The nearest town is Cliff, NM. Facilities include restrooms and camping. NMDGF Bill Evans Lake WMA about eight miles south of Cliff between Cliff and Silver City. New boat ramp and fishing jetties plus improved north-side road access; old ramp modified for non-motorized craft. Boats limited to oars or electric motors.

Which lakes near Bill Evans Lake were stocked more recently?

Lake Roberts (26.6 mi), Snow Lake (38.2 mi), and Elephant Butte Lake (85.1 mi) were stocked more recently. Lake Roberts is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, and Channel Catfish, Snow Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, and Elephant Butte Lake is also stocked with Largemouth Bass.

Sources (3) +