Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass fishing around Moriarty, New Mexico, centers on a handful of smaller lakes and reservoirs. These waters, while not extensive, can provide surprisingly good bass fishing, particularly during the spring and fall. Spring is the spawning season, so focus on shallow, weedy areas and coves. Soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits are all effective. As the water warms in the summer, bass tend to move deeper, so switch to fishing around submerged structure and drop-offs. Calling the local bait shop for water level updates is crucial, as these smaller reservoirs are heavily dependent on rainfall and can fluctuate dramatically. Be aware that many of these lakes have limited access and can get crowded, especially on weekends. The largemouth bass here are generally healthy and aggressive, but sizes tend to be smaller than in larger, more established fisheries. Focus on presentation and fishing slowly, especially in pressured areas.