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  4. Catfish fishing in New Mexico

Catfish fishing in New Mexico

New Mexico provides strong freshwater fishing opportunities for catfish. Lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across the state offer reliable action for anglers.

Types of Catfish in New Mexico

Best baits and lures for Catfish in New Mexico

According to catch data from over 20 million anglers on Fishbrain, these are the best baits used to catch Catfish.

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Biggest Catfish catches

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Latest Catfish fishing reports in New Mexico

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Channel catfish

Isleta Lakes

18 in · 2 lb

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Channel catfish

Isleta Lakes

length · weight

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Flathead catfish

San Francisco River

length · weight

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Channel catfish

Zia Reservoir

length · weight

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Flathead catfish

Alto Reservoir

length · weight

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Channel catfish

Chaparral Park

length · weight

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Channel catfish

Zia Reservoir

length · weight

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Channel catfish

Twin Lake

25 in · 6 lb

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Channel catfish

Zia Reservoir

length · weight

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Blue catfish

Elephant Butte Reservoir

length · weight

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Regulations for Catfish 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 Channel catfish as of April 5th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Channel catfish

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

15

Aggregate

15

Regulations for Specific Waters. For more information please see https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/fishing/game-fish/regulations-specific-waters/

Animas River and San Juan River, in San Juan County, there are no bag or possession limits.

Special Summer Catfish Waters - 2 per day

  • Special catfish limit applies to: Alto Lake, Alumni Pond, Bataan, Blue Hole Park Pond, Bosque Redondo, Carrizozo, Chaparral, Conoco Lake (Loco Lagoon), Corona, Dennis Chavez Pond, Escondida, Estancia Park Lake, Eunice, Grants Riverwalk Pond, Greene Acres, Green Meadow, Harris Pond, Jal Lake, Lake Van, Liam Knight Pond, McGaffey Lake, Ned Houk, Oasis State Park, Pecos River within Villanueva State Park, Perch Lake, Rancho Grande Ponds, Roswell Kid's Pond (Spring River Park), Timberon Ponds, Tingley Beach, Trees Lake and Young Pond.

Ictalurus punctatus

Regulations for

34°09′58.2″N 106°01′34.1″W
Regulations in the map
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