Bitter Lake

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

NM Mechanical or Electrical Devices

It is illegal to use mechanical or electrical devices capable of catching or killing game fish, except as permitted by regulation.

NM Bow fishing and Spear fishing

Bow fishing and spearfishing are legal means of take for game fish species and unprotected species in lakes and reservoirs open to angling. Bag and size limits for bow fishing and spearfishing are the same as angling. Bow fishing and spearfishing for game fish are not allowed in any river, stream, Special Trout Water or Trophy Bass Water (for largemouth bass). Arrows for bow fishing must be attached by a line, string or rope to enable retrieval of fish. Crossbows can be used for bow fishing. Legal means of take for spearfishing include spears, arrows with barbs and gigs. Spears can be discharged above or below the water surface. Local ordinances and/or prohibitions may apply at specific locations or waters, and the local managing agency should be contacted prior to bow fishing or spearfishing. Snorkelers and SCUBA divers should consult New Mexico State Park regulations prior to spearfishing.

NM Trotline Restriction

A trotline (throw line, limb line, set line, jug line, or "Yo-yo" line) is a line without a rod or reel attached. It does not need to be handheld nor closely attended. Trotlines are limited to 25 hooks. Trotlines belonging to two or more people may not be joined or tied together. Anglers may not fish with more than one trotline. Anglers may not check, pull up, or tamper with the trotline of another person. Any person using a trotline must attend it personally at least once every calendar day and remove or release all game fish that are caught.A person fishing with a trotline must attach an identification tag that is visible above the water line. The identification tag must list the angler's Customer Identification Number (CIN). Anglers 11 years of age and younger must list their Customer Identification Number (CIN) or their name and date of birth on the identification tag.Trotlines may be used to take game fish only in the river reaches and lakes listed by drainage:Rio Grande DrainageRiversRio Grande mainstem from its confluence with the Chama River downstream to New Mexico/Texas state line and Chama River mainstem from the northern boundary of the Monastery of LakesChrist in the Desert downstream to Abiquiu LakeAbiquiu Lake, Cochiti Lake, Elephant Butte Lake, and Caballo LakePecos River DrainageRiversPecos River mainstem downstream of I-25 (excluding Villanueva State Park) to the New Mexico/Texas state line and all tributaries within Chavez, De Baca, Eddy, Guadalupe, and San Miguel (downstream of I-25) CountiesLakesSanta Rosa Lake, Sumner Lake, Lake Avalon, Brantley Lake, Six Mile Lake, Ten Mile Reservoir, and Red Bluff ReservoirCanadian River DrainageRiversCanadian River mainstem and all tributaries downstream and east of I-25 to the New Mexico/ Texas state lineLakesStubblefield Lake, Laguna Madre, Maxwell Lake 14, Springer Lake, Conchas Lake, and Ute LakeSan Juan River DrainageRiversSan Juan River mainstem from U.S. 64 bridge at Blanco downstream to the Navajo Nation boundary at the Hogback canal diversionLakesNavajo LakeGila River and San Francisco River DrainageRiversGila River mainstem from its confluence with the east fork downstream to the New Mexico/Arizona state line and San Francisco River mainstem from U.S. 180 bridge at Alma downstream to the New Mexico/Arizona state lineLakesNone

NM Bait and Baitfish

Possession of and use of any baitfish while fishing is illegal, except as defined below. Baitfish may not be used in Special Trout Waters, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge or Bottomless Lakes State Park. Bluegills and sunfish (genus Lepomis) taken legally by angling may be used as live or dead bait in the water where taken.Commercially packaged and processed dead fish are not considered baitfish and are approved for use in all waters where the use of bait is legal. Roe, viscera, and eyes of game fish taken legally may be used in all waters where the use of bait is legal. Chumming is allowed in all waters, except Special Trout Waters. Goldfish or bullfrogs (including larval stages, i.e. tadpoles) may not be used as live or dead bait in any waters. Salamander larva (waterdogs) may be used in all waters where the use of bait is legal.Approved live and/or dead baitfish locations:Rio Grande Drainage: Fathead minnow, red shiner and shadElephant Butte and Caballo reservoirs: Fathead minnow, red shiner, shad and golden shinerCanadian River Drainage: Fathead minnow, red shiner, white sucker and shadSan Juan River Drainage: Fathead minnow and red shinerGila River and San Francisco River Drainages: Fathead minnow onlyPecos River Drainage (excluding Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Bottomless Lakes State Park): Fathead minnow and red shinerApproved dead-only baitfish (cutbait) locationsStatewide: Common carpHeron Reservoir: White suckerBaitfish may only be taken for personal use and only by anglers who are currently licensed or 11 years of age or younger. Permitted methods for taking minnows include: angling, dip nets, cast nets, traps and seines. Seines may not be longer than 20 feet, and the mesh size may not be larger than 3/8-inch square. All protected species of fish (including endangered and threatened species) taken with seines, nets, and traps must immediately be returned to the water.