It's a Saturday morning, and the sounds of children playing drifts across Acomita Lake on a slight breeze.

Waves lap at the shoreline while the lonely wail of a train's horn is heard in the distance.

Despite that Acomita Lake is one of New Mexico's top secret fishing holes, the shoreline is busy with early spring anglers.

"We used to come here years ago," said Tim Davidson, 57, a school teacher from Shiprock. "It's my first time back since and it's nice to be here again."

Holding a stringer full of large trout, Davidson said the fishing was pretty good this late March morning.

Like many other tribal operators around the state, Acoma Pueblo's Acomita Lake is gearing up for an influx of stir-crazy visitors looking for relief.

The lake had been closed for years while pueblo officials pondered the dam's future, said Ian Tator, 32, formerly of Lumberton, who is the director of game and fish for the pueblo. Acomita Lake reopened last year to rave reviews from serious anglers.

However, one would be hard pressed to find any information about the lake online or in fishing reports.

That's changing this year, as advertisements about Acomita Lake and its angling circuit are set to appear on radio, billboards and the Internet.

Tator, a New Mexico State University graduate with degrees in wildlife and fishery science, said the trout population in the lake is good because it was stocked several years ago and hadn't been opened to fishing until last year.

The 75-acre lake is up to 45 feet deep in some spots, and the trout population has held up well without experiencing any winter or summer die-offs because of extreme temperatures.

Nonetheless, it's Tator's hope that they will be able to purchase oxygen diffusers to help enrich the water and improve the fishery sometime in the near future. The lake holds mostly rainbow trout, but brown and Snake River Cutthroat trout are scheduled for stocking this year.

Tator said those using small boats and float tubes outfitted with battery-operated trolling motors have done well because of their ability to locate schools of fish. No boats more than 20 feet long are allowed, and gas motors are prohibited also.

Tator said typical flies such as wooley boogers and bead head nymphs are working well, while those fishing the bank with spinning lures, worms or power bait have had success, too.

Tator recommends those who don't mind wading should work the marshier north end of the lake, where many fish have been congregating.

"We strive for a nice clean environment here," Tator said. "The fishing is excellent and it's just a great place to get away from it all."

Fishing costs $20 for adults with a five-fish bag limit, and children under 12 years old fish for $8 with a three-fish bag limit.

Well-behaved dogs, leashed or under voice command, are allowed, while alcohol, guns and swimming are not permitted. Currently, there is no handicap access at the lake.

The lake is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and a limited supply of tackle, snacks and refreshments are available at the small on-site store.

Acomita Lake is located about 18 miles shy of Grants, just off Interstate 40, at the San Fidel exit. Visitors can call 505-552-9866 for more information.

Tator noted that the pueblo will host a fishing derby on Father's Day in June with a top prize of $50,000 for the lucky angler who catches the tagged fish. Entry is $50 and there will be other prizes awarded for those who catch an additional 14 tagged fish, Tator said.

San Ildefonso Pueblo

Those looking for tribal fishing a little closer to Santa Fe can head up to San Ildefonso Pueblo, where a fabled, giant trout sporting a red plastic tag has still not been caught and cashed in for $200, said Ray Flores, director of parks and wildlife for the pueblo.

The fish is reported to be in the 25- to 27-inch range and was stocked with many other massive trout a couple of years ago, Flores said.

"People have caught him but nobody can seem to land him," Flores said. "A kid just got him within 6 feet of the bank but then he broke him off."

San Ildefonso's friendly informal fishing pond sits amid the shade of the bosque and is easily navigated by the handicapped and elderly, Flores said. Senior groups and school classes are welcome and can obtain steeply discounted rates, he said.

Fishing at San Ildefonso costs $12 for adults with a six-fish bag limit. Children, veterans and seniors pay just $6. The pond is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Well behaved leashed dogs are welcome.

And those in the mood for a little high country fishing need only head up to Nambé Lake and Falls, where the heavily stocked waters, cool climate and expansive vistas make for an enjoyable day.

Adults pay $15 with a new limit of just five fish, down from seven in years past, said Joe Vigil, chief ranger.

"The costs of buying fish have gone up along with everything else," Vigil said.

Nambé Lake

Nambé Lake features good bank fishing and allows small boats with electric motors, float tubes and rafts. Well behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. Anglers will find some fishing supplies and a limited amount of groceries and ice at the ranger's shed at the entrance to the lake.

Karl F. Moffatt is a longtime New Mexico journalist and avid outdoorsman who can be contacted through his blog at www.outdoorsnewmexico.com



IF YOU GO

Acomita Lake is located off I-40, between Albuquerque and Grants. Take the San Fidel exit, No. 100. San Ildefonso Pueblo is off N.M. 502 on the way to Los Alamos. Nambé Lake and Falls is off N.M. 503, the back road to Chimayó. Follow the signs.