Daily bag is two 15-inch or bigger fish. The river also has a small population of resident … Get Licensed. To conserve, regulate, propagate and protect the wildlife and fish within the state of New Mexico using a flexible management system that ensures sustainable use for public food supply, recreation and safety; and to provide for off-highway motor vehicle recreation... (Read more...), Phone: (505) 476-8000 | Toll-free (888) 248-6866. Statutes, codes, and regulations. Fishing in Mexico’s East Cape! § 17-2-10. From pristine high-mountain lakes and streams to large reservoirs and lazy meandering rivers, Copyright © 2016 New Mexico Department of Game & Fish | All Rights Reserved. Mel and Jennifer Foley (505-687-2221) operate a 2-mile section known as The Rio Penasco Fishing Company. Safe practices, requirements, and status of tourism businesses in New Mexico. A $10 daily permit is available at the well-posted parking areas along US Highway 82 or by calling the Anglers Nook in Las Cruces, NM (505-522-3810). Jul. Rio Chama Below El Vado Lake - In and around El Vado Ranch, rainbow and brown trout inhabit the many holes, pools and ripples of the nearby lakes and streams. Angler Education Fishing Clinics offer basic fishing-skills clinics for school kids, families, community and civic groups. At Stone Lake, however, only artificial flies and lures, with barbless hooks, are allowed. The Four Corners region is home to fishing holes of all kinds and holds plenty of adventures waiting to be explored. Navajo Nation – Whiskey Lake, north of Gallup at 8,000 feet, offers average catches of 14- to 18-inch rainbow trout and a decent opportunity for 20-24-inch and larger fish (closed Dec.-Apr.). Several large stripers were found in recent surveys, but they are few and far between. Section 17-2-10 - Violation of game and fish laws or rules-penalties. The Lower Red River is a 4-5 mile stretch from Questa, NM to the confluence with the Rio Grande. It is managed by the Carson National Forest primarily for its wildlife, as well as its outstanding scenic and recreational opportunities. The warmer weather and good fishing conditions in the springtime are typically governed by degree of altitude, with the lower areas warming up first. New Mexico has beautiful places to boat and fish. Keep up on what is happening at your favorite fishing hole by checking the Weekly Fishing Report.. Grindstone Lake: Stocking of rainbows has been sporadic the last few years due to water quality problems. Compared to other southwestern lakes, Bill Evans has relatively cool waters and largemouth bass grow slower than in warmer lakes. The Red River is located in northern New Mexico and offers fishing for wild and stocked trout. Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS. May. The fishing license year runs April 1 to March 31. Cimarron River – The Cimarron River flows east out of Eagle Nest Lake, U.S. 64, through Cimarron Canyon State Park. The lakes also have small mouth/largemouth bass and channel catfish; great some years for crappie; and Ute and Conchas also have white bass. Two of these lakes, Hayden Lake and La Jara Lake are currently dry. Five miles of the Penasco on the Mulcock Ranch (505-687-3352) is available for day fishing with a nominal rod fee. The lake at 8,300’ elevation is a cool retreat from summer heat or a winter wonderland. Its hard being the bearer of bad news, but it is bad out there! Welcome to our fishing calendar, posting the latest events, deadlines, and important date announcements from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.The full department-wide calendar can be found under Home → NMDGF Calendar. Salmon snagging season opens Oct. 1. The regular license year is April 1 to March 31, 24 hours a day, all year long. There are different ways that you can buy in the state of New Mexico. Reliable advice on routing to Whiskey and all lakes on the Navajo Nation is strongly advised. Shuree Ponds, open July 1 to Dec. 31, are stocked with 15-inch-plus rainbow trout, with one reserved for anglers under 12. It is illegal to fish with more than two flies on a single line when fishing the special trout water on the San Juan River. The rich waters spawn abundant flora, which in turn creates a fine environment for insect proliferation, which in turn supports one of the most prolific trout populations in any large river, both in terms of quantity and average fish size. Visit the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildli… Visit the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife website, http://www.nndfw.org/ for more information. The Upper Red River flows along Highway 578 and continues through the town of Red River. Check back often for fishing and stocking reports, rules and information, and public fishing water maps and more. Senior Fishing Licenses are available to New Mexico residents anglers 65–69 years of age. Register A Boat. Both the Gila River and the San Francisco River along with their many tributaries are located within the Forest. New Mexico Fishing and Boating. Navajo Lake State Park - This 15,000-acre irrigation impoundment in the Four Corners area is home to rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon (landlocked Pacific sockeye salmon), largemouth/smallmouth bass, northern pike, channel catfish, crappie and bluegill. The fishing license year is April 1- March 31. There are seven fishing lakes ranging in size from 35-500 acres, when full. Valle Vidal - The Valle Vidal is a lush mountain basin located in the heart of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, in northern New Mexico. The Mulcock Ranch currently features a bunkhouse available for camping. Many visitors use guides to provide proper equipment and advice. in their possession. New Mexico offers a variety of species and plenty of places to wet your line. A 10-percent federal excise tax on your purchase of fishing equipment and motor boat fuel helps states individually promote sport fisheries. Bonito Lake remains closed for fishing until further notice. Buy your license, and find boating resources here. Pick up all trash and properly dispose it or pack it out! Visit the www.wildlife.state.nm.us fishing report. Take N.M. 112 west of U.S. 64 near Tierra Amarilla and proceed to Cooper’s EI Vado Ranch right at the river; parking fee applies. North of Albuquerque; take the Alameda exit west about a mile to N.M. 313, then north about a mile. The summer can be hit or miss with runoff and rain. New Mexico Fishing Bag Limits & Regulations. Jan. Feb. Mar. The Red is New Mexico’s largest tributary to the Rio Grande. In fact, this part of the Rio Chama is spectacular and it is not uncommon to hook an 18-20 inch trout. New Mexico Statutes 1978 ••• Chapter 17 - Game and Fish and Outdoor Recreation. Private Waters on the Brazos River - The Brazos River east of Chama flows mostly on private land. Ready to go fishing in New Mexico? This includes acquiring easements or leases for public fishing, funding hatchery and stocking programs, supporting aquatic education programs, and improving boating facilities for anglers. Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife (928) 871-6451 www.nndfw.org; N.M. Stat. Elephant Butte Lake - New Mexico’s big one, Elephant Butte Lake is a few miles north of Truth or Consequences, just east of 1-25. New Mexico Wildlife is a quarterly magazine produced by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish with a focus on department activities, native wildlife and outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing. Wild brown trout and some rainbows averaging 10-14 inches inhabit the Lower Red plus a few 15-16 inchers. PDF. The Department of Game and Fish is committed to maintaining the quality of the state’s fisheries, improving fish habitat and restoring native sport fishes, while also providing outstanding recreational angling opportunities for the public. Channel catfish should be good in summer. One of the nicest things about fishing in New Mexico is the year-round season for most waters. Sandia Pueblo lakes - Open all year. If you have any questions, contact head guide Jeff deBrown for further details. Help protect our wildlife by keeping our lakes, streams and waterways clean. Stone Lake is currently stocked with rainbow trout, largemouth bass and brown trout. Cochiti Lake - A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) lake 50 miles north of Albuquerque and about 10 miles west of 1-25 has black bass, white bass, bluegill, crappie, walleye, catfish and northern pike. And don’t forget about the phenomenon of winter ice fishing in the so-called desert Southwest. N.M. Stat. 20202021 Contents iii New Mexico Department of Game and Fish 1 (NMDGF) Information Important Reminders 2–5 Important Dates 6 License Requirements 8–10 OTC License Fees 11 Draw License Fees 12 Draw Hunt Licenses 13 Junior, Senior & Disabled Licenses 14–15 Military and Veterans 16–17 Hunter Education 18 Mentor-Youth Hunter Program 19 Transfers and Donations 20 General Rules 21–24 Jun. Download . Fish for rainbows, walleye, largemouth, catfish and big bluegill. Licenses are valid for one license-year only. The main fly fishing season is September through mid April, with fall and spring being best. The Department plans to stock 1 million striped bass fry this spring. Licenses are available online (click here), by phone 888-248-6866, or license vendors.Print from your NMDGF account or request a mail or email copy from 888-248-6866, a vendor, or ispa@state.nm.us. Anglers need to be aware of special restrictions that apply in this area. FLATS FISHING / FLY FISHING (INSHORE LAGOONS) Major Species. Call 1-800-ASK-FISH for fishing reports, new stockings, how to fish and habits of fish, 24 hours a day. Fishing for stocked rainbow trout at Snow Lake is best from November- March. However, prolonged drought conditions have seriously affected the Jicarilla fishing lakes, and decreased opportunities for fishermen. New Mexico Statutes 1978 ••• Chapter 17 - Game and Fish and Outdoor Recreation. Reliable advice on routing to Whiskey and all lakes on the Navajo Nation is strongly advised. Planning an unforgettable experience in New Mexico is easy with a free New Mexico True Adventure Guide. Out-of-state anglers must purchase an annual fishing license, a one-day license or a five-day license. Make some great New Mexico fishing and boating memories at one of the top family NM boating spots. Many Indian pueblos and reservations offer public fishing, mostly for rainbow trout, some with bass or catfish. By using the site, you consent to the placement of these cookies. If you live within Albuquerque or the surrounding communities, Tingley Beach is a classic “urban fishery” and it’s hard to beat. Expect fishing to be slowest in the summer. Anglers reported good trout fishing in the quality waters using size 24 black, grey and olive midge pattern flies. New Hampshire New Hampshire ATV & Snowmobile New Hampshire Hunting New Hampshire Freshwater Fishing New Hampshire Saltwater Fishing. Article 2 - Hunting and Fishing Regulations. Whether you want to fish the Catch and Release pond, or want to expose a young angler to the sport at the Kid’s Pond, you’re set at Tingley Beach. Clayton Lake - A 176-acre impoundment, about 15 miles northwest of Clayton and north of U.S. 64, Clayton Lake State Park has one boat ramp. Subject to availability, sometimes stocked with 3- to 8-pound rainbows. The Mesilla Valley Flyfishers have a two-mile public access lease on the Cleve Ranch. Some streams have good populations of brown trout. A few lakes and parts of some streams are designated “Special Trout Waters,” more commonly referred to as “Quality Waters.” On most of them, only artificial flies and lures with single, barbless hooks can be used. Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS. All anglers, 12 years or older, must have the following: a valid New Mexico fishing license, a Wildlife Habitat Improvement validation, and a Habitat Management and Access Validation (Only those younger than 18, 100% Disabled Resident Veterans and Resident Anglers 70 and older are exempt from purchasing this validation.) The Valle Vidal is a veritable Rocky Mountain paradise, with abundant populations of regional wildlife, including mule deer, black bear, mountain lion, bald eagles, and native Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Anglers can find a variety of warm-water species, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass, catfish, bluegills, perch and pike in lakes and reservoirs; as well as a variety of trout species in lakes, rivers and streams throughout the state. The other lakes including Stone Lake, Mundo Lake, Enbom Lake, Dulce Lake and Horse Lake have been impacted by drought conditions but are currently stocked for fishing. The better fly fishing requires hiking down one of two trails in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Area of the Rio Grande, west of Questa, NM. The site uses cookies to store information on your computer. Junior Fishing Licenses are available to New Mexico resident and non-resident anglers 12–17 years of age. San Juan River: A gauge on the San Juan River registered 706 cubic feet per second on the morning of Sept. 21. Mundo Lake offers rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill. The Upper Red fishes best May through October. Visit www.corpslakes.usace.army.mil, Heron Lake - Less than 20 miles southwest of U.S. 64 near Tierra Amarilla, Heron is a no-wake, 6,000-acre lake that favors fishing and sailing. Springer Area Lakes - Springer Lake is about 5 miles west of Springer. Fishing should be very good for blue and channel catfish ranging from 10-20 inches. Rio Peñasco on Private Land - The Peñasco is a spring creek with nine miles of trout water teeming with wild browns and rainbows along NM 82 east of Cloudcroft. Learn new fishing skills, boating resources, fishing etiquette, conservation and more. This is a non-profit, non-tracking website dedicated to sharing our love for New Mexico Fly Fishing! This stretch is among the most hallowed trout fishing waters in North America. In the winter nice cuttbows migrate into the Lower Red from the Rio Grande. Silver City Area - Fishing Lake Roberts for largemouth bass and bluegill is generally good from spring to early summer. Produces 14- to 20-inch kokanee, and 10-to 20-plus-pound lake trout. Without fishing laws and regulations, certain fish species would become depleted or extinct. While Cochiti Lake is located within the boundaries of Cochiti Pueblo, permission to fish there is not required, as it is a USACOE facility. Ice-out (when the ice melts) is one of the best times of year for fishing on Northern New Mexico's lakes and ponds as most of them have not been fished on throughout the winter. Jemez waters are heavily stocked with catchable rainbows. 2020-2021 New Mexico Fishing Rules & Info Sport Fish Restoration Act A 10-percent federal excise tax on your purchase of fishing equipment and motor boat … Water from the Gila River is pumped up a high mesa to where a sparkling lake is impounded. Learn more here. Navajo Nation – Whiskey Lake, north of Gallup at 8,000 feet, offers average catches of 14- to 18-inch rainbow trout and a decent opportunity for 20-24-inch and larger fish (closed Dec.-Apr.). 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