Cochiti Lake
Cochiti Lake
- Boat Ramps
- 3
- Access Points
- 5
- Species
- 15
Cochiti Lake is a 1,200-acre reservoir located in Sandoval County, New Mexico, within the boundaries of the Pueblo de Cochiti Indian Reservation. Sitting at an elevation of 5,343 feet in the foothills of the Jemez Mountains, this high desert environment is surrounded by juniper, pinon trees, and mixed grasslands. The lake was created by the Cochiti Dam, one of the ten largest earth-fill dams in the United States, constructed for flood and sediment control on the Rio Grande. With its proximity to Albuquerque and Santa Fe, Cochiti has become one of the most popular fishing destinations in the state, providing crucial recreational opportunities while also serving essential functions in flood control, irrigation, and wildlife habitat protection.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Cochiti Lake and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
Walleye
Sander vitreus
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Black Bullhead
Ameiurus melas
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Green Sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
White Bass
Morone chrysops
White Crappie
Pomoxis annularis
White Sucker
Catostomus commersonii
Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Cochiti Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Know where you can legally fish on Cochiti Lake
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
New Mexico licenses and regulations
New Mexico Boating Regulations
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
New Mexico Fishing License
While fishing in New Mexico, anglers 12 years and older must possess a valid New Mexico Fishing License or Game-hunting & Fishing License. Licenses are valid April 1 through March 31 of the following year. A New Mexico Fishing License is not required on tribal reservations and private Class-A lakes.
New Mexico Fishing Regulations
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
New Mexico Stream Access Laws
Criminal trespass consists of knowingly entering or remaining upon posted private property without possessing written permission from the owner or person in control of the land. The provisions of this subsection do not apply if: 1) the owner or person in control of the land has entered into an agreement with NMDGF granting access to the land to the general public for the purpose of taking any game animals, birds or fish by hunting or fishing; or 2) a person is in possession of a landowner license given to him by the owner or person in control of the land that grants access to that particular private land for the purpose of taking any game animals, birds or fish by hunting or fishing. It is unlawful to knowingly enter upon any private property to hunt, capture, take, attempt to take, or kill any game animal, furbearer, game bird, or game fish without possessing written permission from the landowner or person in control of the land or trespass rights unless otherwise permitted in rule or statute.
Take Cochiti Lake with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around Cochiti Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Cochiti Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.
Get the onWater Fish app
Free on iOS and Android
Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Cochiti Lake and check the forecast before you go.
COCHITI LAKE NEAR COCHITI PUEBLO, NM
Fishing near Cochiti Lake
Rio Grande
Pecos River
Rio Chama
Jemez River
Santa Fe River
Little Tesuque Creek
Cow Creek
Rio Mora
Indian Creek
Explore New Mexico waters
Top fishing waters
Popular Cities
Loading popular cities...
Explore near Cochiti Lake
Fish species
Fishing spots
Nearby waters
More in New Mexico
Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.
onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.