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New Mexico · Fishing
Fort Sumner sits in the high plains of eastern New Mexico, and the fishing here is lake fishing, full stop. The four spots on the local radar — Bonner Lake, The Old Dry Lake, Red Lake, and Cooley Lake — are all still-water fisheries spread across De Baca County's dry, open landscape.
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Fort Sumner sits in the high plains of eastern New Mexico, and the fishing here is lake fishing, full stop. The four spots on the local radar — Bonner Lake, The Old Dry Lake, Red Lake, and Cooley Lake — are all still-water fisheries spread across De Baca County's dry, open landscape. This is not a destination you come to for rushing mountain streams or canyon rivers. What you get instead is relatively uncrowded water, wide skies, and the kind of unhurried fishing that suits an early morning with a folding chair and a cooler. The terrain is flat and accessible, which makes these lakes workable for anglers of most physical ability levels. Crowds are rarely a problem out here, and that alone is worth something. If you're driving in from Albuquerque, Lubbock, or Amarillo, Fort Sumner makes a reasonable stop rather than a dedicated destination — but locals fish these lakes regularly enough that they're worth knowing. Bring your own gear, check current New Mexico Department of Game and Fish regulations before you go, and don't expect marina infrastructure. These are no-frills waters in the best sense.
All four listed spots — Bonner Lake, The Old Dry Lake, Red Lake, and Cooley Lake — are lake fisheries. There is no river or stream fishing represented in the current Fort Sumner listings, so plan your trip around still-water techniques like bank fishing or fishing from a small watercraft.
Yes. New Mexico requires a valid state fishing license for anyone 12 and older. Licenses are available through the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website or at local sporting goods and convenience stores. Check current regulations before your trip, as rules around possession limits and valid seasons can change year to year.
Bonner Lake
~14 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Cooley Lake
~18 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Red Lake
~29 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
The Old Dry Lake
~36 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Wire Lake
~55 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Little Tule Lake
~58 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Johnson Lake
~1h 9m drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Beaver Lake
~1h 14m drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Salt Lake
~1h 14m drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Sand Lake
~1h 17m drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Laguna de los Terreros
~1h 19m drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Curlew Lake
~1h 22m drive
A worthwhile stop near NM.
Also worth it near here
Early morning and the hour or two before sunset are generally the most productive windows for lake fishing in this region. Midday heat in eastern New Mexico can push fish deeper and slow surface activity, especially in summer months.
A medium-action rod and reel suitable for lake fishing covers most situations here. Bring a selection of soft plastics, spinners, and live or prepared bait depending on what species are present in a given lake. Because these are no-frills waters without rental facilities, you need to arrive self-sufficient — that means rods, tackle, a valid license, and your own food and water.
The flat terrain around Fort Sumner generally works in favor of anglers who need level ground and easy access to the water's edge. That said, facilities vary by site and conditions change seasonally, so it is worth calling the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish or De Baca County ahead of your visit to confirm current access at a specific lake.
