Cast for Recovery
2025-08-17 | Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron, New Mexico
Department staff will be present in case any assistance is needed while participants fly fish at Cieto Lake. Registration for this event is full and has closed.
Registration if full. Registration was completed by Cast for Recovery.

Casting at Scouts Fall Adventure Day
2025-08-30 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | Albuquerque, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Department staff will be working a casting station along with Scout volunteers.
Please contact Randy Reed for more information.

Tiger Pond Fishing Derby
2025-09-27 08:00 - 14:00 | Tiger Pond, Aztec, New Mexico
Free youth fishing derby at Tiger Pond in Aztec, NM. There will also be other activities such as archery, pellet guns, OHV simulator, and the Poach Coach. Fishing equipment will not be provided. Anglers will have to bring their own tackle.

Coldwater Fishing Workshop
2025-10-19 08:30 - 15:00 | Department of Game and Fish Albuquerque Office, 7816 Alamo Rd NW, Albuquerque
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will host a beginner Coldwater Fishing Workshop at the Albuquerque Game and Fish office on Sunday, Oct. 19, from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Participants will learn fishing techniques, fish identification, necessary gear, rules and regulations, terminal tackle, knot tying and casting. Open to adults with little or no coldwater fishing experience.
Registration for both workshops will open at 8 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. It will close when the workshop is full. This workshop is free and open for adults, 18 years of age and older. Registration link: https://qfreeaccountssjc1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cCLxITEXpeoWgaG

Vamos a Pescar - Kids Fishing Day 2025
2025-10-25 09:00 - 13:00 | Trees Lake, Deming, New Mexico
This is a fun opportunity for families to learn about outdoor recreation and conservation. FREE lunch will be served at noon. Limited fishing rods available. No Fishing license required for kids up to 17 years old.
No registration required – open to the public.

Coldwater Fishing Workshop
2025-10-26 09:00 - 15:30 | Department of Game and Fish Las Cruces Office, 2715 E. Northrise Dr, Las Cruces, New Mexico
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will host a beginner Coldwater Fishing Workshop at the Las Cruces Game and Fish office on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Participants will learn fishing techniques, fish identification, necessary gear, rules and regulations, terminal tackle, knot tying and casting. Open to adults with little or no coldwater fishing experience.
Registration for both workshops will open at 8 am on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. It will close when the workshop is full. This workshop is free and open for adults, 18 years of age and older. Registration link: https://qfreeaccountssjc1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cCLxITEXpeoWgaG

Fishing Day w/The Life Link at Monastery Lake
2025-11-10 09:00 - 14:00 | Monastery Lake
A fishing day will be held for The Life Link and 10-15 adults from the Santa Fe area. We will cover basic fishing onboarding to include the following topics: understanding fishing gear, tying knots, safety, and sustainable fishing practices, including catch and keep demonstration.
Closed to registration. For additional information, contact Matty Gonzales at 505-948-6089.

Fishing Day with Cub Scouts Pack 409 at Tingley Beach
2025-11-15 09:30 - 13:30 | Tingley Beach, Albuquerque, New Mexico
A fishing day will be held for the Cub Scouts Pack 409 at Tingley Beach. Department volunteers will go over understanding fishing gear and bait, tying knots, how to recognize a bite, and how to safely catch and release a fish. Participants will also listen to a fishing safety discussion. This event is closed to the public.
N/A Closed to the public

Wildlife Presentation at V. Sue Cleveland High School
2026-03-03 12:13 - 13:50 | Rio Rancho
Department staff will be giving two wildlife presentations to wildlife students at V. Sue Cleveland High School. This event is closed to the public.

Fishing with Rio Grande High School
2026-03-04 09:30 - 14:30, 2026-03-05 09:30 - 14:30 | Tingley Beach, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Department staff will be conducting a fishing clinic for ninth-graders from Rio Grande High School at Tingley Beach. Students and chaperones will participate in a getting-started discussion to cover fishing basics and safety. Following this, participants will assemble their rod and reel, tie hooks and learn casting techniques. Thereafter, they will bait their rigs and enjoy a wonderful day practicing catch-and-release fishing throughout their session. This event is closed to the public.

Trout in the Classroom - Fishing Day
2026-03-21 09:00 - 13:00 | New Mexico
Students, teachers and parents involved in the Bosque Chapter Trout Unlimited Trout in the Classroom program are invited to attend a free fishing day at Tingley Beach on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Rods, bait and fishing instruction will be provided by the New Mexico Department of Wildlife. This event is closed to the public.

Fishing with Texico Elementary
2026-03-25 - 2026-03-26 | Oasis State Park
Department volunteers will be going over rod assembly, knot-tying, casting, fishing ettiquette, hook and water safety, bails, flies and fishing with 42 third-graders from two classes at Texico Elementary. This will be a two-part lesson. Part 1 on March 25 will consist of knot-tying and casting with the Backyard Bass kit at the school. Part 2 on March 26 will be a fishing day at Oasis Lake State Park. This event is closed to the public.

OTC license sales begin
2026-03-25 08:00 - 17:00 | Department of Game and Fish Santa Fe Office, 1 Wildlife Way,, Santa Fe, New Mexico
2026-2027 over-the-counter (OTC) license types, including Game-Hunting Licenses and Game-Hunting & Fishing Licenses, are available online at https://onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us, by telephone at 888-248-6866, at New Mexico Department of Wildlife offices and at license vendors.

Fishing with Jal Elementary
2026-03-27 08:30 - 12:30 | Jal Lake State Park, 221A Whitworth Dr., Jal, NM, 88252, United States
Department staff will be conducting a fishing clinic for Jal Elementary Pre-K students and their parents at Jal Lake State Park. Participants will listen to a fishing safety and onboarding discussion. Following this, participants will learn how to assemble their rod and reel, tie and bait their hooks and enjoy a day of catch-and-release fishing. This event is closed to the public.

Basic Fishing Instruction with Henry "Kiki" Saavedra Community Center
2026-03-31 15:00 - 16:30 | Albuquerque, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Department volunteers will be instructing a group from the ages of 5-14 on the basics of casting and fishing. Topics to be covered will be an introduction to rod and reel assembly, casting and fishing with an emphasis on safety. We may also spend some time learning a knot and discussing New Mexico sportfishing. This event is closed to the public.

2026-2027 License Year Begins
2026-04-01 00:00 | New Mexico
The 2026-2027 license year begins April 1. All 2025-2026 licenses will no longer be valid.

Casting, Sportfish ID and Aquatic Insects with McCoy Avenue Elementary School
2026-04-16 10:30 - 12:00 | Aztec, NM, Aztec, NM
Department volunteers will be presenting to a second-grade class at McCoy Avenue Elementary School. The presentation will cover basic casting and fishing, trout ID in New Mexico, habitat and a lesson in aquatic insects as they relate to a trout’s diet. This event is closed to the public.

Casting, Fish ID and Aquatic Insect Clinic with Park Avenue Elementary School
2026-04-17 08:15 - 15:00 | Aztec, NM, Aztec, NM
Department volunteers will be presenting to different fifth-grade classes at Park Avenue Elementary School. The presentations will cover basic casting and fishing, trout ID in New Mexico, habitat and a lesson in aquatic insects as they relate to a trout’s diet. This event is closed to the public.

Warmwater Fishing Workshop
2026-04-19 08:30 - 15:00 | Department of Game and Fish Albuquerque Office, 7816 Alamo Rd NW, Albuquerque
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will host a beginner Warmwater Fishing Workshop at the Albuquerque Game and Fish office on Sunday, April 19, from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Participants will learn fishing techniques, fish identification, necessary gear, rules and regulations, terminal tackle, knot tying and casting. Open to adults with little or no warmwater fishing experience.
Registration Details:

Registration will open at 8 a.m. Monday, March 30, 2026. It will close when the workshop is full.
This workshop is free and open for adults age 18 and older.
Click here to register.

Fishing with St. Teresa Catholic School
2026-04-21 08:30 - 16:30 | Grants Riverwalk Park Pond, 504 E. Santa Fe Ave, Grants, New Mexico
Department volunteers will be going over rod assembly, knot-tying, casting, fishing etiquette, hook and water safety, baits, flies and fishing rigs, and then fishing with two separate groups of children from St. Teresa Catholic School. This event is closed to the public.

Latino Outdoors New Mexico - Semillitas Outdoors: Fishing 101
2026-04-25 09:00 - 13:00 | Cochiti Lake
A fishing day will be held for Latino Outdoors New Mexico at Cochiti Lake. Families will participate in a getting-started discussion to cover fishing basics and safety. Following this, participants will assemble their rod and reel, tie hooks and learn casting techniques. Thereafter, they will bait their rigs and enjoy a wonderful day practicing catch-and-release or catch-and-keep fishing throughout their session. Ages 11 and under fish FREE! Fishing poles, fish bait, bagels, coffee and orange juice will also be provided.
Click here for details about free registration.

Warmwater Fishing Workshop
2026-04-26 09:00 - 15:30 | Department of Game and Fish Las Cruces Office, 2715 E. Northrise Dr, Las Cruces, New Mexico
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will host a beginner Warmwater Fishing Workshop at the Las Cruces Game and Fish office on Sunday, April 26, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Participants will learn fishing techniques, fish identification, necessary gear, rules and regulations, terminal tackle, knot tying and casting. Open to adults with little or no warmwater fishing experience.
Registration Details:

Registration will open at 8 a.m. Monday, March 30, 2026. It will close when the workshop is full.
This workshop is free and open for adults age 18 and older.
Click here to register.

Backyard Bass and Aquatic Insects with Anansi Charter School
2026-04-30 08:00 - 17:00 | Arroyo Seco, NM, Arroyo Seco, NM
Department staff will be teaching seventh- and eighth-grade students at Anansi Charter school the basics of casting and fishing and what trout eat (aquatic insect lesson). This event is closed to the public.

GilaFest Celebration
2026-05-09 08:00 - 15:00 | Glenwood, Glenwood, NM, United States
Join the New Mexico Department of Wildlife for a family-friendly day of outdoor fun, wildlife experiences and community celebration as we mark two major milestones: The completion of a decade-long renovation of the Glenwood State Fish Hatchery and the opening of the new Glenwood Allred Wildlife Management Area, a beautiful destination for birding, hiking and river access.
Click here for more information on this event!

Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project — Reel the Gila
2026-05-16 09:00 - 13:00 | Bill Evans Lake
A fishing day will be held for Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project at Bill Evans Lake. Families will participate in a getting-started discussion to cover fishing basics and safety. Following this, participants will assemble their rod and reel, tie hooks and learn casting techniques. Thereafter, they will bait their rigs and enjoy a wonderful day practicing catch-and-release or catch-and-keep fishing throughout their session. This event is part of Nuestra Tierra’s commitment to breaking down barriers and ensuring every New Mexican has the knowledge, mentorship and confidence to access our public lands and waters.
Click here for more information on free registration.

Family Crappie Fishing Camp
2026-05-29 08:00 - 2026-05-31 12:00 | Navajo Lake State Park, 1448 NM-511, Navajo Dam, NM, 87419, United States
The New Mexico Department of Wildlife, in conjunction with New Mexico Outdoor Adventures, will host a Family Crappie Fishing Camp at Navajo Lake State Park on May 29-31, 2026. Campers will be provided with everything from instruction to gear to meals. Campers will need to provide their own fishing licenses, tent or wheeled camper, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. We will have a reserved group camping area at the State Park. Open to families and individuals with previous fishing experience, but who have never fished for crappie.
Registration will open at 8 a.m. Monday, May 11, 2026. It will close when the camp is full. Please only register if you have not previously attended this camp. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Click here to register.
