Todacheene Lake is a tiny but remarkable trout lake on the Navajo Nation in northwestern New Mexico — it sits right inside the crater of the extinct Narbona Pass volcano. Small, scenic and stocked with rainbow trout, it draws fly and spin anglers who come for the setting as much as the fish. This guide is part of our growing New Mexico Lakes Database.
Todacheene Lake at a glance
- Location: Navajo Nation, in the Chuska Mountains of northwestern New Mexico (near Narbona Pass)
- Setting: a small lake in the crater of the Narbona Pass volcano
- Size: tiny — only about 4 acres (1.6 hectares), created for recreation
- Top fish: stocked rainbow trout
- Permit: a Navajo Nation fishing permit is required (not a New Mexico state license)
A trout lake in a volcano
What makes Todacheene Lake special is where it sits: in the crater of the Narbona Pass volcano, high in the Chuska Mountains on the Navajo Nation. The little lake was created for recreation and is stocked with rainbow trout, and its dramatic volcanic setting has earned it a following well beyond the reservation. It is small — only a few acres — but the scenery and the trout make it a memorable stop.
Fishing Todacheene: permits and rules
Todacheene Lake is on Navajo Nation land, so you need a Navajo Nation fishing permit rather than a New Mexico state license, and you should carry it while fishing. Permits and current rules come from the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife. Respect the land and follow all Nation regulations and closures.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Todacheene Lake?
Stocked rainbow trout — it is a small recreational trout lake in a volcanic crater on the Navajo Nation.
Do you need a permit to fish Todacheene Lake?
Yes — a Navajo Nation fishing permit is required (not a New Mexico state license), available from the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Where is Todacheene Lake?
On the Navajo Nation in the Chuska Mountains of northwestern New Mexico, inside the crater of the Narbona Pass volcano.
Related: explore more 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.
