Morgan Lake is a 1,200-acre reservoir in San Juan County, New Mexico, serving dual purposes as a cooling pond for the Arizona Public Service Company Power Plant and as a popular public recreation area. Located approximately 32 miles southwest of Aztec via NM 516, US 64, and Indian roads, this substantial water body offers year-round fishing opportunities alongside other water-based recreational activities including waterskiing and windsurfing. The lake's considerable size and unique thermal characteristics from its role as a power plant cooling reservoir create a distinctive fishing environment that supports healthy populations of warmwater species.
Learn what type of fish are at Morgan Lake and what's needed to catch them.
Micropterus salmoides
Lepomis macrochirus
Ictalurus punctatus
Cyprinus carpio
Micropterus punctulatus
Learn how to get on Morgan 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.
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.
What you need to float or boat Morgan Lake, and when to apply.
Navajo Nation
Boater pass · All boaters · Required year-round
Operating any watercraft on Navajo Nation waters needs a Navajo Nation watercraft permit and decal, valid January 1 to December 31.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 with Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Download the map around Morgan Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Keep a private fishing journal for Morgan Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.
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See the best times to fish Morgan Lake and check the forecast before you go.
No forecast data available.
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