Fishing News

NMDGF Fishing News

Welcome to the fishing news page. Department-wide news can be found under Home → NMDGF News.

New & Important 2022-23

Reference (2022-23 NM Fishing Rules & Info)
Noticias y temas importantes (2022-23 NM Pesca Reglas e Informacion)

What’s New

Baitfish

Shad added as approved baitfish species in the Pecos River drainage.

Trout Daily Bag Limits

Trout bag limit increased to statewide limit (5 trout per day) at Tingley, Red River City Ponds, Red River Hatchery Ponds, Goose Lake, and Rio Grande below Elephant Butte Lake. Cutthroat trout limit increased at Seven Springs Kid’s Pond.

Kokanee Salmon Snagging

New kokanee snagging season dates at Heron Lake and Willow Creek, November 11 — December 31. Abiquiu Lake closed to kokanee snagging.

Trotlines

Waters open to trotlines defined by river drainage.

New Special Summer Catfish Waters

Harris Pond and Trees Lake added as Summer Catfish Waters.

Age Restricted Waters

Age restricted waters categorized into three new categories. Estancia Pond now open to all anglers. New youth fishing opportunity at Rock Lake Hatchery Ponds and Alto Kid’s Pond.

Important Reminders

It’s Illegal To Possess, Transport and Stock Live Game Fish

It is illegal to possess, transport or stock live game fish into any water (except in the water where legally caught) without a permit from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF).

Baitfish Rules

Baitfish species approved by drainage. Processed and packaged fish are not considered baitfish and may be used statewide where bait use is legal. Bullfrogs, dead or alive, cannot be used as bait.

New Mexico Trout and Bass Challenge

Catch the five species of trout to complete the New Mexico Trout Challenge and four species of bass to complete the New Mexico Bass Challenge. For more information go to http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/fishing/fishing-challenges/

Buy a License Online, by Telephone or at License Vendors

Licenses and stamps can be purchased online: www.wildlife.state.nm.us beginning March 21, 2022. The NMDGF Information Center is open Monday–Friday from 8 a.m.–5 p.m., except holidays, to answer questions and sell licenses: 1-888-248-6866. Licenses and stamps also may be purchased at local vendors or any NMDGF office.

50% Discounts for Resident Military and Veterans

Residents of New Mexico who are active duty military or veterans can receive 50% discounts on licenses, permits and stamps.

Boating Regulations and Registration

Basic boating regulations: http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/spd/ or call: 1-888-667-2757. Boater registration information: www.mvd.newmexico.gov or call: 1-888-683-4636.

Special Trout Waters: Red, Green or Xmas

Designations for Special Trout Waters are easy to identify. Signs are posted at each location with bag limits and tackle restrictions for Red Chile Water, Green Chile Water and Xmas Chile Water. See Special Trout Waters.

Dates to Remember

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Recordatorios importantes

Noticias

Peces para cebo:

se agregó sábalo molleja como especie aprobada de peces para cebo en el drenado del río Pecos.

Límites diarios de piezas pescadas para trucha:

el límite de piezas pescadas para trucha aumentó al límite estatal (5 truchas por día) en Tingley, Red River City Ponds, Red River Hatchery Ponds, Goose Lake and Rio Grande hacia Elephant Butte Lake. El límite de la trucha degollada aumentó en Seven Springs Kids’ Pond.

Pesca con garfio de salmón rojo (Kokanee):

nuevas fechas de temporada de pesca con garfio de salmón rojo (kokanee) en el lago Heron y el riachuelo Willow , del 11 de noviembre al 31 de diciembre. Abiquiu Lake cerrado para la pesca con garfio de salmón rojo (kokanee).

Trotlines

Waters open to trotlines defined by river drainage.

Líneas de anzuelos:

se abren aguas para líneas de anzuelos definidas por el drenado de los ríos

Límites de longitud del Lucioperca y la lobina de boca pequeña:

no hay límite de longitud para Lucioperca en todo el estado. No hay límite de longitud para la lobina de boca pequeña en la parte superior del río principal del Río Grande dentro de los condados de Río Arriba y Taos.

Nuevas aguas especiales de chato de verano:

Harris Pond y Trees Lake se agregaron como aguas de chato de verano.

Aguas con restricción de edad:

las aguas con restricción de edad se clasificaron en tres categorías nuevas. Estancia Pond ya está abierto para todos los pescadores de caña. Nueva oportunidad de pesca para menores de edad en Rock Lake Hatchery Ponds y Alto Kids’ Pond.

Recordatorios importantes

En marzo de 2022, la Corte Suprema de Nuevo México dictaminó que la Certificación de Propietario de la Regla de Agua No Navegable (19.31.22 NMAC) era inconstitucional. Mediante esta orden judicial, todos los cursos de agua en el estado, a los que se puede acceder legalmente, quedan abiertos para uso público recreativo. Se recuerda a los recreacionistas públicos que el daño a la propiedad privada sigue siendo ilegal.

Es ilegal poseer, transportar y introducir peces de pesca deportiva vivos:

es ilegal poseer, transportar o introducir peces de pesca deportiva vivos en cualquier agua (excepto en el agua donde se capturaron legalmente) sin un permiso del Departamento de Caza y Pesca de Nuevo México (NMDGF).

Reglas de peces para cebo:

especies de peces para cebo aprobadas mediante drenado. Los peces procesados y envasados no se consideran peces para cebo y pueden usarse en todo el estado donde el uso de cebo sea legal. Las ranas toro, muertas o vivas, no pueden usarse como cebo.

Desafío de trucha y lobina de Nuevo México:

atrape las cinco especies de trucha para completar el New Mexico Trout Challenge y cuatro especies de lobina para completar el New Mexico Bass Challenge. Para obtener más información, visite http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/fishing/fishing-challenges/

Compre una licencia en línea, por teléfono o con proveedores de licencias:

las licencias y los sellos se pueden comprar en línea: www.wildlife.state.nm.us a partir del 21 de marzo de 2022. El Centro informativo del NMDGF está abierto de lunes a viernes de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m., excepto los días festivos, para responder preguntas y vender licencias: 1-888-248-6866. Las licencias y los sellos también pueden comprarse con proveedores locales o en cualquier oficina del NMDGF.

50% de descuento para militares y veteranos residentes:

los residentes de Nuevo México que sean militares en servicio activo o veteranos pueden recibir un descuento del 50 % en licencias, permisos y sellos.

Regulaciones para la navegación en bote y registro

Regulaciones básicas para la navegación en bote: http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/spd/ o llame al: 1-888-667-2757. Información de registro del navegante del bote: www.mvd.newmexico.gov o llame al: 1-888-683-4636.

Días de pesca gratuita

4 de junio: día de pesca gratuita en Nuevo México. No se requiere licencia (se aplican todas las demás reglas de pesca).

24 de septiembre: día nacional de la caza y la pesca. No se requiere licencia (se aplican todas las demás reglas de pesca).

Aguas especiales de trucha: rojo, verde o verde-rojo

Las designaciones para las aguas especiales de trucha son fáciles de identificar. Hay carteles colocados en cada ubicación con límites de piezas pescadas y restricciones de equipo para el agua de chile rojo, el agua de chile verde y el agua de chile verde-rojo.

Today’s Fishing News

Department seeks public comment regarding hybrid striped bass stocking at Elephant Butte State Park

SANTA FE – Members of the public will have an opportunity to provide input next month as the New Mexico Department of Wildlife is proposing to stock hybrid striped bass, also known as wipers, into Elephant Butte Reservoir. The Department will hold a public meeting in the Boat Training Building at Elephant Butte Lake State Park (7 Ridge Road, Elephant Butte) from 6-7 p.m. on March 5. Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting to learn about the proposal and provide comments. Those who are unable to attend the meeting in person may also provide comment by email at DGF-Fisheries-Management-Comment@dgf.nm.gov or by mail: New Mexico Department of Wildlife, Attn: Elephant Butte Hybrid Striped Bass, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507. The Department will accept written comments until March 18.

Monastery Lake closed to fishing due to unsafe ice conditions

PECOS, N.M. – Monastery Lake has been closed to fishing until further notice due to unsafe ice conditions. Ice fishing is not allowed at Monastery Lake. The lake, which is leased through the Department's Open Gate program, is located at the Benedictine Monastery just north of Pecos. A layer of ice has formed on the lake, prompting the closure. The closure will be lifted when there are sufficient open areas of water available to allow fishing from the bank. Anglers can find good winter trout fishing in the Albuquerque area drains, at Tingley Beach and at other fishing waters throughout the state. Visit our website for more information on trout species, the weekly fishing report, a list of convenient fishing locations and fish stocking reports.

Department announces 25% discount for SNAP recipients

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Wildlife announced that residents who receive Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are now eligible for a 25% discount on hunting and fishing licenses. The initiative expands access to outdoor recreation and supports food security for New Mexicans. “This discount will help make hunting and fishing more accessible to thousands of New Mexicans,” Department director Mike Sloane said. “With this discount, eligible participants will have increased accessibility to healthy, natural food sources." Between Jan. 1-10 each year, the New Mexico Health Care Authority will provide the Department with a list of current SNAP recipients. This is in accordance with requirements outlined in Senate Bill 5, which was passed by the New Mexico State Legislature during its 2025 session. Individuals who become eligible for SNAP benefits after Jan. 10 will be required to visit one of the Department's offices located in Santa Fe, [...]

Department announces New Mexico Fish Art Contest

Youth in grades K-12 can submit artwork through Jan. 31 Submission by Steven Ju (Grade 7-9 Division, Georgia) SANTA FE — New Mexico students in grades K-12 are invited to take part in the Art of Conservation New Mexico Fish Art Contest, sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish in conjunction with Wildlife Forever. Fish are an integral part of New Mexico’s diverse ecosystems, providing vital support to local biodiversity and contributing to the health of rivers, lakes and streams. From the prized native trout of the Rio Grande to the colorful bass that inhabit the state’s reservoir, fish play an essential role in maintaining the balance of aquatic environments. For many New Mexicans, fishing is not only a cherished pastime, but also a way to connect with nature, support local economies and preserve cultural traditions. Through the Art of Conservation New Mexico Fish Art Contest, participants can [...]

Free Fishing Weekend set for Sept. 27-28

SANTA FE – Anglers can fish for free in New Mexico on Sept. 27-28, as part of the state's Free Fishing Weekend. Anyone can fish for free in public fishing waters throughout the state on Saturday, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28, which is also National Hunting and Fishing Day across the United States of America. All anglers must observe bag limits and all other rules and regulations. For more information, please visit the Department's website. "This is a great time to take your family fishing and teach them a skill that will provide a lifetime of enjoyment," said Mike Sloane, director for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Check out the video below to find out more on the importance of keeping youth, especially girls, involved in the sport. Take advantage of Free Fishing Weekend to get your family and our youth back on the water! [...]

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