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New Mexico · Fishing
Datil sits in the high country of Catron County, and the fishing options around it are small in number but worth knowing about.
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Datil sits in the high country of Catron County, and the fishing options around it are small in number but worth knowing about. The three waters on the Roamze list — Snow Lake, Ghost Lake, and Henry Ford Tank — represent the kind of quiet, off-the-beaten-path fishing that this part of New Mexico does well. Snow Lake is the largest and most accessible of the group, a reservoir tucked into the Gila National Forest that draws anglers looking to get away from the crowds you'd find at more publicized waters. Ghost Lake is smaller and requires a bit more effort to reach, which tends to keep the pressure light. Henry Ford Tank is exactly what the name suggests — a stock tank that holds fish and sees almost no traffic. None of these waters are designated gold medal or wild trout fisheries, so come with realistic expectations: this is relaxed, rural fishing in a remote part of the state, not a destination trophy trip. That said, if you time it right and pick the right water for the conditions, you can have a genuinely productive day. New Mexico Game and Fish manages stocking in this region, so checking their current schedule before you drive out is worth the five minutes it takes.
The supplied activity data lists all three as lake fishing waters but does not specify species. New Mexico Game and Fish stocks many Catron County waters with rainbow trout, and Snow Lake has historically received trout plants. Check the NMDGF weekly stocking report before your trip to confirm what has been put in recently and when.
Yes. Any angler 12 or older needs a valid New Mexico fishing license. Snow Lake and Ghost Lake are within or adjacent to the Gila National Forest, so a state license covers you there. Henry Ford Tank is a stock tank, and access and licensing requirements can vary depending on whether it sits on private or public land — confirm ownership before you go.
Ghost Lake
~17 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
El Caso I-IV Campground
~1h 9m drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Luna Lake
~1h 24m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Snow Lake
~27 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Luna Lake Day Use Area
~1h 24m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Snow Lake
~27 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Snow Lake Boat Launch
~27 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Henry Ford Tank
~35 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Fitzgerald Cienega
~1h 1m drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
El Caso Lake
~1h 4m drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Lake Roberts Boat Launch
~1h 6m drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Lake Roberts
~1h 6m drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Late spring through early fall is the most reliable window. Datil sits above 7,500 feet, so ice or near-freezing water can slow fishing significantly in winter. Early summer after snowmelt is often productive, and early morning fishing in July and August helps you beat the afternoon monsoon storms that roll through this part of New Mexico most days.
A light to medium spinning setup covers all three waters well. For stocked trout, small spinners, PowerBait, and worms are reliable producers. If you are fishing Henry Ford Tank, which is a smaller impoundment, a simple ultralight rod with 4-6 lb line is plenty. Bring waders if you want to work the shallower edges of Snow Lake, but they are not required.
Snow Lake is the most developed of the three and sits roughly 25 miles south of Datil via Forest Road 142, which is passable for most high-clearance vehicles and sometimes passenger cars in dry conditions. Ghost Lake and Henry Ford Tank are smaller and more remote — a truck or SUV is the safer choice. Road conditions in Catron County change quickly after rain, so check with the Gila National Forest's Magdalena Ranger District before heading out.
