Still thinking about trying the Trout Challenge?
Check out some of the pictures we have already received from anglers participating so far.
Take the Challenge!
New Mexico is a state where the Rocky Mountains meet the desert. New Mexico is also a state that is rich in diversity from its many different climates to the fish and wildlife. Sportsmen and women of New Mexico are very fortunate to have such a diverse fishing opportunity, especially when it comes to trout.
New Mexico’s winter trout stocking program allows anglers across the state the opportunity to catch a trout in places that might not have them on a regular basis due to weather and water conditions. The best part about trout fishing in New Mexico, is that anglers have the opportunity to catch trout from one end of the state to the other whether stream or lake.
Find out more about the Trout Challenge by listening to Northwest Regional Public Information Specialist, Ross Morgan, in a January 2020 radio interview requested by 98.3 KXDJ in the Texas Panhandle.
Hall of Fame
![](http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fishing-event-nm-trout-challenge-hall-fame-featured-2020-Nicolas.jpg)
Congratulations Nicolas Villescas, first to complete the challenge.
2020-2021 (click year and scroll)
How to Enter
Catch 5 trout (Rio Grande Cutthroat, Gila, Brown, Brook and Rainbow Trout) within New Mexico lakes & streams. Anglers who complete the challenge in New Mexico waters receive special awards & appear on this page.
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 Trout Challenge: Catch the five trout species listed below that are found and inhabit lakes and streams within New Mexico (Rio Grande Cutthroat, Gila, Brown, Brook, and Rainbow Trout).
Anglers who complete the challenge in New Mexico waters will be eligible to receive a special award and be included in the Trout Challenge Hall of Fame on the department’s website along with all of the successful New Mexico Trout 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 trout caught before January 1, 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 Trout 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 non-resident 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 when completed. Submissions must include the following information:
a. Contact information to include their full name, email address, and mailing address.
b. 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.
c. The angler’s Customer Identification Number (CIN). This is required of all participants in the challenge.
d. What body of water the fish was caught in.
e. A photo of their 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 Trout 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 Trout Challenge by department staff, the angler will be provided with:
a. A certification of achievement.
b. A New Mexico Trout Challenge coin to advertise their brag-worthy achievement.
c. Their name added to the NM Trout Challenge Hall of Fame.