Still thinking about trying the Bass Challenge?
Check out some of the pictures we have already received from anglers participating so far.
Take the Challenge!
Most fishermen have considered New Mexico a quality trout destination, but it’s the dedication and careful work of the Department’s fisheries team that has made it a distinctive bass fishery as well. From Elephant Butte to Conchas Lake, bass fishing is just as popular as trout fishing.
Although the state of New Mexico may never have the numbers and sizes of bass like other states, New Mexico does offer some surprising opportunities for catching largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass and spotted bass.
With the state’s record largemouth bass coming in just under 16 pounds and the smallmouth record coming in at seven pounds, it’s easy to see why New Mexico isn’t overlooked when it comes to bass fishing. The best part about bass fishing in New Mexico is that anglers not only have the opportunity to catch bass from one end of the state to the other, anglers can fish year-round due to the state’s accommodating climate.
Hall of Fame
![](http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/fishing-event-nm-bass-challenge-hall-fame-featured-2020-Rick-Torres.jpg)
Congratulations Rick Torres, first to complete the challenge
How to Enter
Catch the four bass species listed below that are found in and inhabit lakes within New Mexico (Spotted Bass, White Bass, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass).
Anglers submitting a catch for this challenge can do so by emailing them to dgf-fishingchallenges@dgf.nm.gov. Anglers must submit all catches at once when they have completed the challenge. All submissions must include the following information:
- The angler’s current New Mexico fishing license number. Licenses are not required for New Mexico resident and non-resident anglers 11 years of age or younger.
- The angler’s Customer Identification Number (CIN). This is required of all participants in the challenge.
- What body of water the fish was caught in.
- A photo of the fish. These photos will become the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s property to share on social media, promoting fishing in the state of New Mexico, the New Mexico Bass Challenge, and any other agency publications.
Anglers who don’t have access to email can mail them to DGF Fishing Challenges, 7816 Alamo Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120.
Helpful Links
Catch & Release Video
- Fishable State Parks in New Mexico:
http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/fishing.html - New Mexico Game and Fish: License Vendors
- New Mexico: Bait Dealers
- New Mexico Game and Fish: Regulations
Official Rules
The New Mexico Bass Challenge: Catch the four bass species listed below that are found in and inhabit lakes within New Mexico (Spotted Bass, White Bass, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass).
Anglers who complete the challenge in New Mexico waters will be eligible to receive a special reward and be included in the online records of successful New Mexico Bass Challenge Anglers.
1. There is no fee or pre-registration required for this program.
2. There is no time limit on completing the challenge.
3. The challenge is open to anyone, including residents and non-residents.
4. Catch and Release is encouraged in this challenge.
5. Class A lakes and other waters that are privately stocked are excluded from this
challenge.
6. No Bass caught prior to September 16, 2020, the start date of this challenge,
can be used as a part of this challenge.
7. Participants are not limited to the number of challenges they complete each
year.
8. All anglers participating in this challenge are required to obtain a Customer
Identification Number (CIN).
9. All anglers participating in the New Mexico Bass Challenge must have a valid
New Mexico fishing license and abide by all rules and regulations for waters in
which they are fishing. Licenses are not required for New Mexico resident and
nonresident anglers 11 years of age or younger.
10. Anglers submitting a catch for this challenge can do so by emailing them to
dgf-fishingchallenges@dgf.nm.gov. Anglers must submit all catches at once they have completed the challenge. All submissions must include the following information:
a. The angler’s current New Mexico fishing license number. Licenses are not required for New Mexico resident and non-resident anglers 11 years of age or younger.
b. The angler’s Customer Identification Number (CIN). This is required of all participants in the challenge.
c. What body of water the fish was caught in.
d. A photo of the fish. These photos will become the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s property to share on social media, promoting fishing in the state of New Mexico, the New Mexico Bass Challenge, and any other agency publications.
11. Anglers who don’t have access to email can mail them to DGF Fishing Challenges, 1615 W. College Blvd., Roswell, NM 88201.
12. Upon verification of achievement of the New Mexico Bass Challenge by department staff, the angler will be provided with:
a. A certification of achievement.
b. A New Mexico Bass Challenge coin to advertise their brag-worthy achievement.
c. Their name added to the NM Bass Challenge Hall of Fame.