The Largest Lakes in New Mexico (Ranked by Size)

New Mexico’s largest lakes are desert and mountain reservoirs – vast impoundments on the Rio Grande, San Juan, Canadian and Pecos rivers that anchor the state’s boating and fishing. If you’re asking which lakes in New Mexico are the biggest, this guide ranks them by surface area, from the 36,000-acre inland sea of Elephant Butte down through the great reservoirs of the north and east. Each links to our full lake guide. This page is part of our New Mexico Lakes Database.

The largest lakes in New Mexico, ranked

1. Elephant Butte Reservoir – ~36,000 acres. By far the largest lake in New Mexico, this huge Rio Grande reservoir near Truth or Consequences is the state’s top spot for boating, bass, walleye and catfish.
2. Navajo Lake – ~15,000 acres. A massive, deep reservoir on the San Juan River shared with Colorado, famous for its world-class trout tailwater below the dam and big-water fishing above it.
3. Caballo Lake – ~11,500 acres. Downstream of Elephant Butte on the Rio Grande, a long desert reservoir known for bass, walleye, catfish and wintering eagles.
4. Conchas Lake – ~9,600 acres. A sprawling Canadian River reservoir in the eastern plains, a boating and bass destination with a state park and marina.
5. Ute Lake – ~8,200 acres. One of the state’s longest lakes, on the Canadian River near Logan, prized for walleye, bass and white bass.
6. Heron Lake – ~5,900 acres. A deep, cool no-wake lake in the northern mountains, known for kokanee salmon, lake trout and quiet sailing.
7. Abiquiu Lake – ~4,000 acres. A scenic Rio Chama reservoir in O’Keeffe country, with bass, catfish, trout and dramatic red-rock scenery.
8. El Vado Lake – ~3,200 acres. A northern Rio Chama reservoir popular for boating, kokanee and trout, paired with El Vado Lake State Park.
9. Brantley Lake – ~3,000 acres. The southernmost state-park lake in New Mexico, on the Pecos near Carlsbad, with largemouth bass, catfish and walleye.
10. Bluewater Lake – ~2,300 acres. A high-desert lake west of Grants, the only place in the state managed for tiger muskie, plus stocked trout.

Other large New Mexico lakes include Eagle Nest Lake (~2,200 ac), Sumner Lake, Santa Rosa Lake and Cochiti Lake. Red Bluff Reservoir is even larger but is shared with – and mostly lies in – Texas.

New Mexico lake size, at a glance

• Largest overall: Elephant Butte Reservoir (~36,000 acres) – the giant of New Mexico lakes.
• Biggest in the north: Navajo Lake and Heron Lake.
• All man-made: New Mexico’s large lakes are river reservoirs built for water storage, flood control and recreation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the largest lake in New Mexico?

Elephant Butte Reservoir, at about 36,000 acres when full, is by far the largest lake in New Mexico. It’s the state’s busiest boating and fishing lake, on the Rio Grande near Truth or Consequences.

What is the deepest lake in New Mexico?

Navajo Lake, on the San Juan River, is the deepest – well over 300 feet near its huge dam.

Does New Mexico have natural lakes?

Almost all of New Mexico’s large lakes are man-made reservoirs. Natural lakes are small and rare, like the spring-fed Bottomless Lakes near Roswell.

Related: see the deepest lakes in New Mexico, the best lakes in New Mexico, or head back to the New Mexico Lakes Database.

Quick answers about New Mexico lakes

What is the biggest lake in New Mexico?

New Mexico’s largest lake is Elephant Butte Reservoir on the Rio Grande, covering up to about 36,000 acres – the state’s top boating and bass lake. Navajo, Conchas and Ute reservoirs come next.

What are the biggest lakes in New Mexico?

Elephant Butte, Navajo, Conchas, Ute and Caballo are the largest lakes in New Mexico, all man-made reservoirs.