McAllister Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
McAllister Lake Wildlife Management Area is 633 acres of State Wildlife Commission land in Unit 42, 5 miles from Las Vegas, measured from NMDOW's Commission land map. NMDOW lists it as open to hunting. NMDOW's fact sheet: "Waterfowl hunting allowed during open season."
Data updated October 2026. Rules: NMDOW's fact sheet and Commission lands page, read 2026-10-18. Hunts: NMDOW's 2026-27 booklet. Boundary: NMDOW GIS.
Wildlife Commission landMcAllister Lake WMAUnit lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 633 acres (NMDOW map) |
|---|---|
| Quadrant | Northeast New Mexico |
| Unit | Unit 42 |
| Open to | hunting and GAIN activities |
| Camping | Not allowed at McAllister Lake. |
| Motor vehicles | Not allowed beyond roadway and parking areas. |
| Nearest towns | Las Vegas (5 mi), Tecolote (6 mi) and Ribera (17 mi) |
What is McAllister Lake WMA like?
The lake is surrounded by high-plains grasslands and few trees. McAllister Lake was purchased in 1962 to provide fishing access and winter habitat for waterfowl.
From NMDOW fact sheet for McAllister Lake.
What are the rules on McAllister Lake WMA?
Closures: McAllister Lake is closed November 1-February 29 except for waterfowl hunting. The lake is open March 1-October 31. Camping: Not allowed at McAllister Lake. Motor vehicles: Not allowed beyond roadway and parking areas.
Every Commission land needs a Habitat Management and Access Validation and the right license; WMAs are closed to hunting unless NMDOW's booklet lists them as open (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 49). Rules posted on the property also apply.
What can you hunt on McAllister Lake WMA?
NMDOW's fact sheet: Waterfowl hunting allowed during open season. The 2026-27 booklet names McAllister Lake in no big game hunt code; hunting follows the seasons of the unit it is in.
How do you get to McAllister Lake WMA?
McAllister Lake Wildlife Area is located about 7 miles southeast of Las Vegas.
Highways within 8 miles: I-25, US 84, NM 104, NM 281 and NM 283. Nearest towns: Las Vegas (5 miles), Tecolote (6 miles), Ribera (17 miles) and San Jose (18 miles). Within 3 miles of the WMA, FilledTag measured 8,662 acres of other public land, most of it national wildlife refuge.
Which unit is McAllister Lake WMA in?
All of it is in Unit 42. Each unit's 2026-27 hunt codes and public land, for the whole unit:
| Unit | WMA acres in it | Unit public land | Elk codes | Deer codes | Pronghorn codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 42 | 633 | 8.9% | 3 | 5 | 4 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on McAllister Lake WMA?
Yes. NMDOW's Commission lands page lists McAllister Lake as open to hunting. Its fact sheet says: "Waterfowl hunting allowed during open season." Hunters need the proper license and the Habitat Management and Access Validation, and all WMAs are closed to hunting unless the booklet lists them as open (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 49).
When is McAllister Lake WMA closed?
McAllister Lake is closed November 1-February 29 except for waterfowl hunting. The lake is open March 1-October 31. (NMDOW fact sheet for McAllister Lake). Rules posted on site also apply.
Can you camp on McAllister Lake WMA?
Not allowed at McAllister Lake. (NMDOW fact sheet for McAllister Lake)
Which unit is McAllister Lake WMA in?
All of McAllister Lake WMA is in Unit 42, by NMDOW's unit and Commission land maps.