NMDGF Fishing News
Welcome to the fishing news page. Department-wide news can be found under Home → NMDGF News.
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
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
Free Fishing Day Saturday, September 24
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 22, 2016: Free fishing this Saturday SANTA FE – Fishing is free, no license required, this Saturday, Sept. 24, on all public waters in New Mexico. Residents and nonresidents can fish without a license, but must abide by all other fishing rules and regulations. Please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us for the 2016-2017 Fishing Rules and Information booklet. For information about where to fish and what to use, consult the department’s weekly fishing and stocking report. Maps of public fishing waters, lists of where to find family-friendly fishing and tips on how to fish also can be found on the department website. For more information, please contact the department’s Information Center, (888) 248-6866. ###
Bass fingerlings stocked at Elephant Butte and other lakes
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 2, 2016: Bass fingerlings stocked at Elephant Butte and other lakes ELEPHANT BUTTE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish recently stocked over 100,000 fingerling bass in Elephant Butte Lake and put another 80,000 in numerous lakes around the state. The young bass were obtained from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park’s Miles City Fish Hatchery, said Kevin Gardner, warmwater fisheries supervisor for the department. Some of the largemouth bass were stocked in Alto Lake near Ruidoso, where it is expected they will grow to prey upon an unwanted population of discarded goldfish living there. They also will provide anglers with improved fishing opportunities in the area, Gardner said. An estimated 6,200 bass from the same shipment went to Bill Evans Lake, another 20,000 [...]
Free family fun at Outdoor Expo Aug. 20-21
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 16, 2016: Free family fun at Outdoor Expo Aug. 20-21 ALBUQUERQUE – If you’ve wanted to learn to shoot a firearm, catch a fish, try archery or paddle a kayak, visit the Department of Game and Fish’s annual New Mexico Outdoor Expo, a free family event at the City of Albuquerque Shooting Range Park, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 20 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 21. “This is a fantastic opportunity for families to learn and enjoy outdoor activities together,” says Alexa Sandoval, director of the Department of Game and Fish. “We’ll teach folks some basic skills that can lead to a lifetime of outdoor enjoyment.” All equipment for use during the event is provided free. Shooting ranges staffed by certified instructors await [...]
Department of Game and Fish employees lauded for their work
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 30, 2016: Department of Game and Fish employees lauded for their work SANTA FE – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish employees were recognized for outstanding job performance at a recent meeting of the State Game Commission in Santa Rosa. Employees of the department’s six fish hatcheries were recognized at the commission’s June 23 meeting for their combined effort to provide plenty of fish for anglers to catch. Also noted was a new hatchery program which produces bigger trout that has proven popular with many anglers. Roddy Gallegos, the department’s assistant chief of fisheries, was recognized for his leadership and oversight of hatchery staff implementing the program. Other employees recognized for outstanding job performance in their fields were: George Farmer, a wildlife specialist and conservation [...]
Public urged to catch fish in Santa Fe River before it goes dry
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 22, 2016: Public urged to catch fish in Santa Fe River before it goes dry SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish has issued an emergency salvage order allowing the public to harvest an unlimited amount of fish by any means from the Santa Fe River between Camino Cabra and Camino Alire from June 22-30. The salvage order was requested by the City of Santa Fe as water flowing into the riverbed from upstream reservoirs will be insufficient to sustain fish. The salvage order will allow anglers to remove trout from the Santa Fe River before it runs dry. The department had stocked hundreds of trout in the river for the June 4 children’s fishing derby. Anglers caught most of those fish, but some [...]