Clayton Lake fishing

Fishing at Clayton Lake has Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, and Walleye on the stocking report. It is stocked about 4.7 times a year since 2020, most often in April and September. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and Largemouth Bass, dusk and night for Channel Catfish, and dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye.

Last stocked

April 28, 2026

Plants on record

33

Since 2020

Species recorded

4

Average size

10.1 in

Elevation

5,157.3 ft

Common questions

What fish are at Clayton Lake?
Fishing Clayton Lake is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 26 of 33 plants on record, ahead of Largemouth Bass and 2 more. Rainbow Trout was last stocked April 28, 2026, averaging 11.5 in. Largemouth Bass was last stocked September 30, 2025, averaging 5.7 in. Walleye was last stocked April 15, 2025, averaging 0.3 in. Channel Catfish was last stocked October 15, 2020, averaging 11.2 in.
When is Clayton Lake stocked?
Last stocked April 28, 2026. It is stocked about 4.7 times a year since 2020, most often in April and September. The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of March. In 2026 it was February 18, 2026, earlier than usual. No plants recorded in 2022.
How big are the fish stocked at Clayton Lake?
Stocked fish average 10.1 in. Rainbow Trout average 11.5 in. Largemouth Bass average 5.7 in. Walleye average 0.3 in. Channel Catfish average 11.2 in.
Which lakes near Clayton Lake were stocked more recently?
Ned Houk Ponds (21.7 mi), Carrizozo Recreation Lake (28.6 mi), Lake Alice (Sugarite Canyon) (65.5 mi), Lake Maloya (65.8 mi), and Cimarron River (West of Cimarron) (68.9 mi) were stocked more recently. Ned Houk Ponds is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish, and Largemouth Bass, Carrizozo Recreation Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Channel Catfish, Lake Alice (Sugarite Canyon) is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Lake Maloya is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, and Cimarron River (West of Cimarron) is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.

How Clayton Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of March. In 2026 it was February 18, 2026, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 2022.

Ned Houk Ponds (21.7 mi), Carrizozo Recreation Lake (28.6 mi), Lake Alice (Sugarite Canyon) (65.5 mi), Lake Maloya (65.8 mi), and Cimarron River (West of Cimarron) (68.9 mi) were stocked more recently. Ned Houk Ponds is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish, and Largemouth Bass, Carrizozo Recreation Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Channel Catfish, Lake Alice (Sugarite Canyon) is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Lake Maloya is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, and Cimarron River (West of Cimarron) is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Fish at Clayton Lake

Fishing Clayton Lake is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 26 of 33 plants on record, ahead of Largemouth Bass and 2 more.

Rainbow Trout 26 plants
Plants
26 of 33
Last stocked
April 28, 2026
Average length
11.5 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Largemouth Bass 4 plants
Plants
4 of 33
Last stocked
September 30, 2025
Average length
5.7 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Largemouth Bass guide.

Walleye 2 plants
Plants
2 of 33
Last stocked
April 15, 2025
Average length
0.3 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Channel Catfish 1 plant
Plants
1 of 33
Last stocked
October 15, 2020
Average length
11.2 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Channel Catfish guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 17,6832020
  • 66,3922021
  • 5,5512023
  • 16,8002024
  • 72,5072025
  • 8,0022026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 33 plants Showing 33 plants

Source: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 28, 2026 Rainbow Trout 400 13.3 in report
April 28, 2026 Rainbow Trout 3,601 10.1 in report
February 18, 2026 Rainbow Trout 4,001 10.1 in report
September 30, 2025 Rainbow Trout 4,001 10.3 in report
September 30, 2025 Largemouth Bass 7,998 5.2 in report
September 23, 2025 Rainbow Trout 3,998 10.3 in report
June 2, 2025 Rainbow Trout 4,001 10.3 in report
May 7, 2025 Rainbow Trout 400 16.5 in report
May 5, 2025 Rainbow Trout 3,601 10.1 in report
April 15, 2025 Walleye 40,506 0.3 in report
March 31, 2025 Rainbow Trout 400 15.4 in report
March 31, 2025 Rainbow Trout 3,601 10 in report
February 20, 2025 Rainbow Trout 4,001 10.2 in report
October 3, 2024 Rainbow Trout 4,799 10 in report
September 26, 2024 Largemouth Bass 8,001 5.7 in report
September 24, 2024 Rainbow Trout 4,000 10.2 in report
May 2, 2023 Rainbow Trout 400 17.5 in report
May 2, 2023 Rainbow Trout 2,150 10.5 in report
March 1, 2023 Rainbow Trout 3,001 10 in report
October 20, 2021 Largemouth Bass 4,425 5.8 in report
September 29, 2021 Rainbow Trout 2,999 10.4 in report
September 23, 2021 Rainbow Trout 2,998 10.8 in report
May 4, 2021 Rainbow Trout 250 16.5 in report
May 4, 2021 Rainbow Trout 3,604 9.8 in report
April 28, 2021 Walleye 44,116 0.3 in report
April 5, 2021 Rainbow Trout 400 14.3 in report
April 5, 2021 Rainbow Trout 3,599 11.7 in report
March 3, 2021 Rainbow Trout 4,001 9.4 in report
October 15, 2020 Channel Catfish 2,200 11.2 in report
September 30, 2020 Largemouth Bass 3,499 6.1 in report
September 21, 2020 Rainbow Trout 3,985 10.6 in report
September 14, 2020 Rainbow Trout 3,998 10.6 in report
February 17, 2020 Rainbow Trout 4,001 10.1 in report
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Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

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