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Clayton Lake State Park Boating

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Clayton Lake State Park – (Click Here for Park Page)

Description: Beautiful high plains 176-acre lake. Two miles of shoreline.  Depth of about 45′ along the old riverbed.  Longest arm is about 1/2 mile.

Directions: Up by the Texas/Oklahoma/New Mexico Border in the NE corner of the state.  From Albuquerque it is about a 313 mile trip.  From Albuquerque go north on I-25 for 225 miles to Exit 451.  This exit is for US-64 E  and US-87 E for Raton and Clayton. Follow US 84 and 67 to Clayton for about 81 miles. The Park entrance is 12 miles north of Clayton via NM 370.

Map:

Printable park map (pdf)

GPS for Main Park Entrance:

36°34.54’N, 103°17.98’W

Water Sports:

Boating Trolling speed only. (Lake is closed for boating from November to the beginning of March) (Fishing allowed March 1–October 31) windsurfing, flat water kayaking, daysailing and canoeing.

Conditions:

Lake and Ramp Conditions    Call Park at 505-374-8808

  • Excellent Boating: 5,177 feet in elevation down to 5,144 feet in elevation (4,007 acre-feet down to 701 acre-feet storage) 175 surface acres down to 50 surface acres

  • Good Boating: 5,144 Ft. Elevation down to 5,126 Ft. Elevation (701 acre-feet down to 74 acre-feet in storage) 50 surface acres down to 15 surface acres

  • Fair Boating: 5,126 Ft. Elevation down to 5,122 Ft. Elevation (74 acre-feet down to 28 acre-feet in storage) 15 surface acres down to 6 surface acres

Lake is very shallow by the lake inlet.  Summer months have lots of moss and require monitoring of water intake to engine.

Ramps: 1

One (1) concrete ramp with 2 launching lanes 309’x30’  

Elevation top               Elevation bottom

Docks: 3

One by the boat ramp. One off the point used for fishing and tying up boats at night. One located below the comfort station in the camping loop.

Marinas/Rentals:

None

Wind Warning Lights:

None

Prevailing Winds:

Blows to the NE

Fish Species:

Warmwater Fishery. Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Walleye, Big Bluegill and Rainbow Trout. Every state record walleye since 1980, including current record of 16# 9 oz. caught March 19, 1989.   Great rainbow (up to 6 1/2 #) and golden trout, large mouth bass (up to 14#) and channel catfish (up to 29 ¼).  Purchase licenses in Clayton at the KOA or Knotts Sportsman Supply.

Waterfowl and Small Game Species:

Best season for viewing from a kayak or canoe is from November to March. Check with the park for ice covering the lake. Golden and Bald Eagles are at the lake and Canada and Snow Geese, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Canvasback, and Redhead Ducks.

Special Boating Restrictions:

Trolling speeds only. Swimming not encouraged (drop offs). Boating allowed March 1 through Oct. 31. At 5,122 Ft. elevation the lake is closed to boating.

Servicing Boats:

30 miles round trip to Clayton, New Mexico for fueling.

Recreation Areas Managed By:

New Mexico State Parks. The fishery is managed by NM Game and Fish.

Surrounding Land Status:

All land around the lake is NM State Parks Administered.

Information:

(505) 374-8808