El Vado Lake fishing

El Vado Lake fishing has Rainbow Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 7 times a year since 2025, most often in July and September. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

El Vado Lake
Photo: Bill L, CC BY 2.0
Last stocked
October 8, 2026
· Rainbow Trout
Plants on record
17
Since 2025
Species recorded
1
Average size
6 in
Elevation
6,855.7 ft

Fish at El Vado Lake

1 stocked · 0 confirmed present

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 14 plants · last July 23, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked July 23, 2026 · avg 6 in · 14 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide

How El Vado Lake is stocked

Source: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

Chama River (above El Vado) (1.9 mi), Chama River (below El Vado) (2.2 mi), and Nutrias Lakes (aka Trout Lakes) (11.5 mi) were stocked more recently. Chama River (above El Vado) is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Chama River (below El Vado) is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, and Nutrias Lakes (aka Trout Lakes) is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Fish stocked in 2025

307,841

Fish stocked in 2026

127,250

Stocking history

Source: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
October 8, 2026Rainbow Trout22,9885.8 inreport
October 7, 2026Rainbow Trout3,60811 inreport
October 6, 2026Rainbow Trout21,1205.6 inreport
July 23, 2026Rainbow Trout50,6774.5 inreport
July 22, 2026Rainbow Trout25,6955.2 inreport
July 20, 2026Rainbow Trout27,1045.3 inreport
July 16, 2026Rainbow Trout1,86410.2 inreport
July 2, 2026Rainbow Trout4,88110.3 inreport
June 10, 2026Rainbow Trout16,0294.3 inreport
May 14, 2026Rainbow Trout1,00013.4 inreport
November 17, 2025Rainbow Trout40,0273 inreport
November 10, 2025Rainbow Trout18,9984.7 inreport
October 16, 2025Rainbow Trout39,9803.4 inreport
September 17, 2025Rainbow Trout8,3045.6 inreport
September 12, 2025Rainbow Trout134,3923.1 inreport
September 10, 2025Rainbow Trout31,7005.4 inreport
September 3, 2025Rainbow Trout34,4405.2 inreport

Access and facts

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

About El Vado Lake

Photo of El Vado Lake
Bill L, CC BY 2.0

Nearest lakes

Chama River (above El Vado) 1.9 mi last stocked October 1, 2026 Chama River (above El Vado) 1.9 mi last stocked July 20, 2026 Chama River (below El Vado) 2.2 mi last stocked October 2, 2026 Heron Reservoir 5.6 mi last stocked April 22, 2025 Nutrias Lakes (aka Trout Lakes) 11.5 mi last stocked September 21, 2026

Public land at El Vado Lake

El Vado Lake is 0.1 miles outside the edge of El Vado Lake State Park.

Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.

Common questions

What fish are at El Vado Lake?

Fishing El Vado Lake usually means Rainbow Trout. All 14 plants on record are Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked July 23, 2026, averaging 6 in.

When is El Vado Lake stocked?

Last stocked October 8, 2026. It is stocked about 7 times a year since 2025, most often in July and September.

How big are the fish stocked at El Vado Lake?

Rainbow Trout stocked at El Vado Lake average 6 in.

Which lakes near El Vado Lake were stocked more recently?

Chama River (above El Vado) (1.9 mi), Chama River (below El Vado) (2.2 mi), and Nutrias Lakes (aka Trout Lakes) (11.5 mi) were stocked more recently. Chama River (above El Vado) is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Chama River (below El Vado) is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, and Nutrias Lakes (aka Trout Lakes) is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.