Bonito Lake is a scenic mountain trout lake in the Sacramento Mountains north of Ruidoso – a small, deep lake in the Lincoln National Forest, long beloved for its rainbow trout and cool pine setting. Closed for a decade after a wildfire and flood, it has reopened to anglers and visitors, restoring a cherished south-central New Mexico fishing spot.
This guide covers Bonito Lake: the fishing, the comeback, and access. It’s part of our growing New Mexico Lakes Database.
Bonito Lake at a glance
- Setting: a small, deep mountain lake on Rio Bonito in the Lincoln National Forest
- Location: Lincoln County, south-central New Mexico (north of Ruidoso, near Alto)
- Top fish: rainbow trout (stocked)
A cherished trout lake’s comeback
Bonito Lake, owned by the city of Alamogordo as a water source, was for generations one of the most popular trout lakes in the region. The 2012 Little Bear Fire and the flooding that followed filled the lake with sediment and forced a long closure for cleanup and dredging. After roughly a decade of restoration, the lake has reopened – a welcome return for anglers and a story of recovery in the Sacramento Mountains.
Fishing Bonito Lake
Bonito is managed as a trout lake, stocked with rainbow trout in its cold, deep, clear water. A New Mexico fishing license is required. The lake is no-wake and well suited to fishing from the bank, float tubes and small craft. Check current access hours, day-use rules and any seasonal closures with the managing authority before visiting, as the reopened lake has specific regulations.
The setting and recreation
Set among ponderosa pines in the Lincoln National Forest at high elevation, Bonito Lake offers cool, scenic surroundings, day-use picnic areas and nearby Forest Service campgrounds and trails. It’s a peaceful escape close to the resort town of Ruidoso, pairing well with the area’s other attractions, from Ski Apache to the village’s shops and racetrack.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Bonito Lake is north of Ruidoso near Alto, off NM-37 and Bonito Lake Road, in south-central New Mexico. Ruidoso, Ski Apache and the historic town of Lincoln (of Billy the Kid fame) are nearby.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a New Mexico license is required.
- Check access: the recently reopened lake has specific hours and rules – confirm before you go.
- Best seasons: late spring through fall for trout in the cool high country.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonito Lake open?
Yes – after a roughly decade-long closure for cleanup following the 2012 Little Bear Fire and flooding, Bonito Lake has reopened; check current hours and rules before visiting.
What fish are in Bonito Lake?
Stocked rainbow trout, in cold, deep mountain water.
Where is Bonito Lake?
North of Ruidoso near Alto in Lincoln County, south-central New Mexico, in the Lincoln National Forest.
Related: explore the small lakes of New Mexico, or head back to the New Mexico Lakes Database.
Explore more New Mexico lakes: the largest lakes in New Mexico and the deepest lakes in New Mexico.
