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Fishing in New Mexico

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Want trophy-size catches? These New Mexico spots deliver

About New Mexico fishing

New Mexico combines desert reservoirs with mountain streams. Trout, bass, walleye, and catfish thrive, and scenic high-country lakes offer year-round freshwater fishing opportunities.

New Mexico fishing license

Fishing in New Mexico requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual and short-term, available online and at authorized vendors.

In New Mexico, no fishing license is required for anglers under 12 or residents 70 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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Top fish species caught in New Mexico

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Biggest catches in New Mexico

Explore your local leaderboard—see the top catches in the app.

State records of caught fish in New Mexico

SpeciesWeightChannel catfish36.5 lbsCommon carp34.7 lbsRainbow trout16.5 lbsLargemouth bass15.9 lbsSmallmouth bass7.2 lbsBluegill3.2 lbs

Latest New Mexico fishing reports

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Largemouth bass

Green Meadow Lake

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Green Meadow Lake

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Lower Tansill Lake

length · weight

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Channel catfish

Lower Tansill Lake

length · weight

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Channel catfish

Jal Lake Park

27 in · 7 lb 3 oz

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Channel catfish

Rio Grande

28 in · 8 lb

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Largemouth bass

Eunice Lake

length · weight

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Green sunfish

Upper Corrales Riverside Drain

length · weight

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Channel catfish

Green Meadow Lake

length · weight

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Channel catfish

Alto Reservoir

length · weight

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Fishing regulations in New Mexico

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in New Mexico can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Rainbow trout as of October 3rd, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Rainbow trout

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

5

Aggregate

5
Restrictions & requirements
Additional information
Bag limit of 5 fish is considered any combination of trout and/or salmon with the exception that no more than 2 lake trout and/or 2 cutthroat trout may be included in the limit.https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/fishing/game-fish/cold-water-regulations-2/ Trout bag is 3 trout at Laguna del Campo.https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/fishing/game-fish/cold-water-regulations-2/ Special Trout Waters Apply to the following waters: General Rules for Special Trout Waters (STW): Many STWs require artificial flies and lures with a single, barbless hook. It is illegal to disturb rocks, plants, or sediment to attract fish. Chummingand baitfish use are not allowed in any STW. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has established three designations for STWs: Red Chile Water, Green Chile Water and Xmas Chile Water. Trout water areas are displayed on the New Mexico Fishing Waters map. For additional information please see: https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/fishing/game-fish/cold-water-regulations-2/Red Chile Waters: Catch and Release Only. Artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook. Capulin Creek from the confluence with the Rio Grande to its headwaters.Cimarron River from the east end of Tolby Campground downstream 1.4 miles to the first U.S. Highway 64 bridge.Jack's Creek from the waterfalls located 0.25 miles downstream of N.M. Highway 63 crossing upstream to its headwaters.Mogollon Creek from barrier at waterfalls near U.S. Forest Service Trail 153 upstream to confluence of Trail Canyon. Open from July 1–October 31.Nabor Creek and Nabor Lake on the Sargent Wildlife Management Area.Pecos River in the Pecos Wilderness above Pecos Falls.Rio Chama from USGS gaging station located below Cooper's Landing to the Rio Nutrias confluence.Rio Costilla from its confluence with Latir Creek upstream 2.4 miles to the Valle Vidal boundary.Rio Las Animas within Gila National Forest, Black Range District.Rio Valdez in the Pecos Wilderness from the waterfall barrier 0.8 miles below FS Trail 239 upstream to its headwaters.San Juan River from Navajo Dam downstream 3.75 miles to the Crusher Hole Day Use Area. It is illegal to fish with more than 2 flies or lures on a single line when fishing the Special Trout Water of the San Juan River.Tingley Beach South Pond within the Albuquerque Conservancy Park. Valle Vidal All streams. Open July 1–December 31.Red Chile Water with Native Trout Conservation: Catch-and-release only for Rio Grande cutthroat trout and Gila trout Bag limit unlimited for rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout. Artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook. Black Canyon upstream from waterfall barrier at Black Canyon Campground. Open July 1–October 31. Cabresto Creek upstream from Cabresto Canyon to headwaters, not including Lake Fork or Cabresto Lake.Canada Tio Grande within the Carson National Forest, excluding private land.Columbine Creek from its confluence with the Red River upstream to its headwaters.Frijoles Creek (Taos County) from its confluence with Rito de la Olla upstream to its headwaters.Gavilan Creek from its confluence with the Rio Hondo upstream to its headwaters.Italianos Creek from its confluence with the Rio Hondo upstream to its headwaters.Leandro Creek within the Valle Vidal. Open July 1–December 31.Palociento Creek from its confluence with Rito de la Olla upstream to its headwaters.Rio Cebolla from the Seven Springs Day Use Area upstream to the headwaters including McKinney Pond.Rio de Las Vacas from the fish migration barrier located 0.2 miles upstream of FS Road 70 crossing to its headwaters.Rio Santa Barbara from the West Fork and Middle Fork confluence upstream to its headwaters including the East Fork.Rito del Padre from the fish migration barrier located about 0.3 miles upstream of the confluence with the Rito Sebadilloses to its headwaters including Rito de los Chimayosos.South Fork Rio Hondo (Taos County) from its confluence with the Rio Hondo upstream to its headwaters.Tanques Creek from FS Road 93 crossing upstream to its headwaters.West Fork Luna Creek from the Carson National Forest property boundary upstream to its headwaters.Yerba Creek from its confluence with the Rio Hondo upstream to its headwaters.Green Chile Water: Bag limit 2 trout only. Artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook. Pecos River in the box canyon 0.5 miles upstream of its confluence with the Mora River to 0.2 miles downstream of the bridge crossing at Cowles.Red River from its confluence with Goose Creek 1.1 miles upstream to the Carson National Forest boundary.Rio Chama within the boundaries of the Rio Chama Wildlife and Fishing Area from Heron Reservoir outlet 2.9 miles upstream to Cottonwood Flats.Rio de Los Pinos from FS Road 284 and 87A, 2.5 miles upstream to the private property boundary. Rio Guadalupe from its confluence with Deer Creek Landing upstream 6.0 miles to Stable Canyon.Rio San Antonio from the San Antonio Hot Springs pedestrian bridge upstream 2.0 miles to the Valles Caldera National Preserve boundary.Sargent Wildlife Management Area for all waters within or adjacent to the WMA including the Rio Chamita, Sixto Creek, and Rio Chama, excluding Nabor Creek and Nabor Lake.Shuree Ponds on the Valle Vidal. Open July 1– December 31. Valles Caldera National Preserve all waters within preserve.Xmas Chile Water: Bag limit 2 trout only. Any legal tackle.Gilita Creek and Willow Creek from its confluence with Snow Creek upstream to its headwaters including Little Turkey Creek.Mineral Creek from its confluence with San Francisco River to its headwaters.Red River from its confluence with the Rio Grande upstream to the lower walking bridge at Red River State Fish Hatchery.Rio Chama from the river-crossing bridge on U.S. Highway 84 at Abiquiu upstream 7.0 miles to the base of Abiquiu Dam.Rio Grande from the Colorado state line downstream to the Taos Junction Bridge at N.M. Highway 567. Rio Ruidoso from Fridenbloom Drive upstream to the Mescalero Reservation.Whitewater Creek from the Catwalk National Recreation Trail parking area upstream to the headwaters, including all tributaries.
Edibility
Excellent
Synonyms

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Regulations for

35°40′2″N 105°57′52.5″W
Regulations in the map
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FAQ about New Mexico fishing

📜 What are the fishing regulations in New Mexico, United States?
Fishing regulations in New Mexico, United States vary by location, species, and season. Rules may include size limits, bag limits, licensing requirements, and protected areas. Because regulations are managed locally and can change throughout the year, it's important to check the latest official guidance before fishing.

To stay up to date and avoid guesswork, use the to explore local rules, discover popular waters, and see what other anglers are catching across United States.
🐟 What are the best fish species to catch in New Mexico, United States?
Some of the most popular species anglers target in New Mexico, United States include Rainbow trout, Bluegill, and Smallmouth bass. The best species often depend on season, water type, and location within the country.

For more detailed, real-time insights, the shows which species are being caught near you and what baits are working best across United States.
🌊 Where are the top fishing spots in New Mexico, United States?
Some of the most popular fishing spots in New Mexico, United States include Morgan Lake, Rio Grande, and Central Pond (Tingley Beach). Anglers across the country fish a wide range of waters, with opportunities varying by region and season.

With the , you can explore local hotspots anywhere in United States, see recent catches, and find out what's working near you.