How to use our fishing calendar
Planning your next fishing trip in Las Cruces, United States ? Today is a good day for fishing. Our comprehensive fishing almanac combines our popular solunar tables, moon times, sunrise and sunset times, and a 7-day fishing calendar so you always know the best fishing times in your area. We analyse major and minor solunar bite times, rate each day on a five-star scale, and pair it with localized weather forecasts so you can quickly tell whether today is a good day to fish without juggling multiple tabs. Be sure to bookmark this page so you never miss a bite. view bite times...
- Check our unique Solunar Clock for precise solunar tables and the best moon phases.
- Use the forecast calendar section to sync bite times with major weather changes.
- Analyze the forecasted weather conditions, such as wind, barometric pressure and rain to plan your fishing session.
- Jump to the 7-Day Fishing Calendar for an extended fishing forecast, then explore nearby fishing spots on the interactive map.
Fishing in Las Cruces, New Mexico centers around the lower Rio Grande, Elephant Butte Reservoir, Caballo Lake, and a network of desert ponds that give anglers year-round options. Warm weather, abundant sun, and manageable crowds make the Las Cruces area a productive destination for bass, catfish, panfish, and stocked trout throughout the seasons. read more...
Sun and Moon Times
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Nautical Twilight begins:Sunrise:
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Sunset:Nautical Twilight ends:
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Moonrise:
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Moonset:
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Moon over:
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Moon under:
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Visibility:19%
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Waning Crescent
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Distance to earth:365,041 kmProximity:95.5 %
Moon Phases for Las Cruces
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good Day
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minor Time:01:01 am - 03:01 am
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major Time:08:24 am - 10:24 am
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minor Time:03:47 pm - 05:47 pm
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major Time:08:49 pm - 10:49 pm
Current Fishing Weather
Wind Speed and Direction
Wind Direction:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction and Speed are one of the most important aspects for choosing a fishing spot. An offshore wind can help land-based anglers with longer casting distances, while an onshore wind will make kayak fishing safer. Often fish will also move to certain feeding areas depending on the wind direction. Check out the long term wind forecast at the charts below.
Fishing Barometer
Atmospheric Pressure:
Change since midnight:
Trend for next 6 hours:
Atmospheric or Barometric Pressure affects fish activity. The best fishing can be had on a rising barometer and also the time just before it is falling. A steady barometer in the higher ranges can also mean good fishing. A falling or low barometer reading without much change is usually not a very good time for fishing.
UV Effect on Fishing
As a rule of thumb, the higher the UV index, the deeper fish will move. Shallow water fishing is best done at times with a low UV index. When the UV is high, stick to early mornings, late evenings and shaded areas. The effect is less noticable in deeper water, but often a higher UV index can produce good results in the deep.
7 Day Fishing Weather
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 New Moon |
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 Waxing Crescent |
Fishing Overview Las Cruces
Fishing around Las Cruces, New Mexico revolves around the Rio Grande and a corridor of reservoirs to the north, especially Elephant Butte and Caballo. The high-desert climate keeps water open most of the year, so anglers can target bass, catfish, panfish, and seasonal trout with predictable patterns tied to water levels and temperature rather than strict calendar dates.
Spring is the prime time for bass and panfish. As Elephant Butte and Caballo Lakes warm into the mid-50s and low 60s, largemouth and smallmouth bass move shallow to pre-spawn on rocky points, gravel pockets, and flooded brush. Texas-rigged creature baits, suspending jerkbaits, and medium-diving crankbaits fished along shoreline rock transitions are reliable. White bass schools chase shad on windblown points; small chrome lipless crankbaits and 1/4–1/2 oz jigging spoons vertically dropped under schooling birds trigger fast limits.
In summer, heat pushes most species deeper by midday. Early and late, focus on shallow cover with topwater poppers, walking baits, and buzzbaits for bass along riprap, submerged brush, and marina edges. Once the sun is up, shift to deeper ledges, humps, and submerged channels in 15–30 feet. Vertical presentations dominate: drop-shot rigs with finesse worms, Carolina rigs dragged across rock, and spoons or blade baits for white bass and the occasional striped bass. Electronics are extremely helpful on Elephant Butte; when you see stacked arcs mid-water, drop metal spoons straight down.
Catfishing is a staple around Las Cruces from late spring through early fall. Channel, blue, and flathead catfish prowl current seams in the Rio Grande and deeper holes in the reservoirs. At night, anchor on outside bends, submerged timber, or the upstream side of humps. Cut shad, shrimp, or stink baits on slip-sinker rigs with 3/0–5/0 circle hooks get consistent bites. For flatheads, prioritize live bait (small sunfish or baitfish) placed tight to heavy cover.
Fall brings some of the most comfortable fishing conditions. Cooling water pushes baitfish shallow, and bass feed aggressively on rocky points and shallow flats. Reaction baits shine: squarebill crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits covering water until you contact fish. White bass and walleye often mix on deeper structure; slow-roll soft-plastic swimbaits or hop jigging spoons along breaks at first and last light.
Winter fishing around Las Cruces centers on stocked rainbow trout in community ponds and select stretches of the Rio Grande, along with deeper reservoir structure. Ultralight spinning gear with small inline spinners, 1/16–1/8 oz marabou jigs, or PowerBait on light leaders works well for trout. For cold-water bass and walleye on the reservoirs, downsize and slow down: drag football jigs, drop-shot small plastics, or vertically jig spoons on steep rocky banks and the old river channel.
Throughout the year, desert wind is a factor. Use it to your advantage: windblown banks concentrate plankton, bait, and gamefish. Choose slightly heavier lures for better casting and bottom contact, and position your boat or bank casting angle so you can work baits naturally with the drift. With an eye on seasonal water temps and structure changes, the Las Cruces area delivers consistent fishing in a rugged, scenic desert setting.
Interactive Fishing Map for the greater Las Cruces area
We found a total of 40 potential fishing spots nearby Las Cruces. Below you can find them organized on a map. Points, Headlands, Reefs, Islands, Channels, etc can all be productive fishing spots. As these are user submitted spots, there might be some errors in the exact location. You also need to cross check local fishing regulations. Some of the spots might be in or around marine reserves or other locations that cannot be fished. If you click on a location marker it will bring up some details and a quick link to google search, satellite maps and fishing times. Tip: Click/Tap on a new area to load more fishing spots.
Las Cruces Arroyo - 1.5683095505km , South Fork Las Cruces Arroyo - 3.27242364999km , North Fork Las Cruces Arroyo - 3.27242364999km , Alameda Arroyo - 3.40215412387km , Las Cruces Dam - 4.05423862758km , Sand Hill Arroyo - 4.95464902527km , Tortugas Watershed Site Number Two Dam - 5.73528998607km , Tortugas Site Number One Dam - 5.91404302163km , Tortugas Arroyo - 6.07804645301km , Little Dam - 6.40977652164km , South Fork Dam - 7.19500551427km , Sand Hill Arroyo Dam - 8.4820080952km , North Fork Dam - 8.60625401492km , Doña Ana Arroyo - 8.62738568312km , Dona Ana Site Dam - 9.01921676076km , Fillmore Site Number One Dam - 9.13315933373km , Alameda Dam - 9.52093110657km , Mesilla Diversion Dam - 9.58183622738km , Apache Dam - 9.8946587421km , Picacho South Dam - 9.99920789582km , Picacho North Dam - 10.5007565586km , Fillmore Site Number Two Dam - 10.54274022417km , Fillmore Site Number Three Dam - 11.16934786733km , Apache Brazito Mesquite Site One Dam - 12.48416774762km , Box Canyon Dam - 12.57683766918km , Apache Brazito Mesquite Site Two Dam - 16.49653110889km , Isaack Lake - 16.85579422079km , Mossman Arroyo - 17.9257915683km , Apache Brazito Mesquite Site Three Dam - 18.25989322124km , Apache Brazito Mesquite Site Four Dam - 20.88731889611km , Lucero Detention Dike - 20.91351692323km , La Mesa Lake - 21.05234951632km , Anvil Creek - 22.32054230861km , Apodaca Arroyo Dam - 22.39452708987km , Lucero Arroyo - 22.75462496382km , Vado Arroyo - 23.47188849012km , Sotol Creek - 23.85620116059km , Leasburg Dam - 24.5956476009km , Leasburg Diversion Dam - 24.62367795464km , North Dona Ana Site Dam - 27.82587804751km
Harbours and
Marinas
Beaches
Bays
Wharfs
Points,Reefs,etc
Latest Catches
uploaded by: Charlie Pifer
uploaded by: Charlie Pifer
uploaded by: Charlie Pifer
uploaded by: Russell Gray
uploaded by: Russell Gray
uploaded by: John Matthews
uploaded by: MAD MUSKY WATER SPORTS RENTALS Stacy Ellard Owner
uploaded by: Charlie Pifer
uploaded by: Charlie Pifer
uploaded by: Charlie Pifer
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