ELEPHANT BUTTE, N.M. — There’s something fishy going on at Elephant Butte Lake—and that’s exactly the point.
Starting August 1, anglers from across the region will cast their lines in hopes of catching one very special fish: a tagged largemouth bass worth $10,000. The month-long competition, hosted by the Elephant Butte Chamber of Commerce, is designed to reel in both fishing fans and tourism.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will tag and release the prize bass somewhere in the lake. Its location? Strictly on a need-to-bite basis. “We will have one person there, by the requirements that have been set up,” said Chamber President Earl Greer, “and, we have to have one person witness that in fact it does happen.”
To claim the prize, the fish must be caught and returned to Marina Del Sur, where officials will verify the tag. The payout could take up to three weeks, depending on the verification process.
How to Register
Just a valid New Mexico fishing license is required.
The chamber hopes to match or beat the turnout from a similar event two years ago, when one angler came just one ounce shy of breaking the smallmouth bass record. This time, the stakes are higher—and the fish is tagged.
