Elephant Butte Reservoir is a premier fishing destination in western New Mexico, offering 36,000 acres of water and over 360 miles of shoreline for anglers to explore. Known locally as The Butte, this large impoundment on the Rio Grande has earned a reputation as one of the top bass lakes in the Western United States according to Bassmasters. With a maximum depth of 165 feet when at capacity, the lake can extend up to 40 miles long with an average width of about 1.5 miles. Elephant Butte offers outstanding fishing opportunities for multiple species in a scenic desert setting, and its excellent fisheries management by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has created a thriving ecosystem with abundant baitfish and game fish.