Lake Van
Lake Van
- Boat Ramps
- 0
- Access Points
- 1
- Species
- 6
Lake Van is a community lake located in Roswell, New Mexico, classified as both a Winter Trout Water and a Special Summer Catfish Water. This small urban fishing pond is managed intensively by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to provide year-round angling opportunities for local residents. The lake operates under a seasonal stocking program, receiving catchable-size triploid rainbow trout during the cooler months from November through March, and large channel catfish during the warmer months from May through September. As a managed put-and-take fishery, Lake Van serves as an accessible fishing destination that provides consistent angling opportunities in the Roswell area.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Lake Van and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Green Sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
Fish stocking schedule
All stockings · 1
- Rainbow Trout1,499 fish · 10.0 inOct 27, 2026
Source
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Updated Nov 13, 2026. Sizes are the length the agency reports. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.
Open stocking page, opens in new tabFishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Lake Van. 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 Lake Van
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 Lake Van 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 Lake Van to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Lake Van 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.
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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Lake Van and check the forecast before you go.
No forecast data available.
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