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
Native Fish Restoration Planned for Middle Ponil Creek
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Ryan Darr: (505) 476-8027 ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 7, 2022: Native Fish Restoration Planned for Middle Ponil Creek Colfax County – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) will be conducting a native fish restoration project in Middle Ponil Creek within the Valle Vidal unit of the Carson National Forest from July 11-17, 2022. This project will remove non-native, hybrid fish to create suitable habitat for stocking native Rio Grande cutthroat trout rescued from the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire. Public access to the project area will be restricted during the project period. This will include a 300-foot buffer around Middle Ponil Creek from the headwaters to the FR 1910 road crossing. Signs indicating the restricted areas will be posted at trailheads, along roadways and in parking areas. All public roads will remain [...]
Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 4
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 31, 2022: Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 4 SANTA FE – Anglers can fish for free in New Mexico on Saturday, June 4, as the state celebrates National Boating and Fishing Week. Anyone can fish for free in public fishing waters throughout the state Saturday, June 4, but everyone 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. If you are new to fishing, the Department will be hosting an event at Liam Knight Pond in Corrales from 7:30 a.m. to [...]
Monastery Lake will remain closed due to extreme fire danger
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 6, 2022: Monastery Lake will remain closed due to extreme fire danger SANTA FE – Due to drought and extreme fire danger, Monastery Lake will remain closed until further notice. The closure of Monastery Lake is consistent with other closures in the area issued by the Pecos Ranger District and Pecos Canyon State Park. Department of Game and Fish conservation officers will continue patrols at Monastery Lake to ensure the public complies with the closure. Alternative fishing opportunities can be found in the Department’s weekly fishing and stocking reports. Monastery Lake is leased by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for public fishing from the Benedictine Monastery in Pecos through the Open Gate Program. More information on the Open Gate Program and the opportunities [...]
Monastery Lake to be closed Tuesday, May 3 through Friday, May 6
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 29, 2022: Monastery Lake to be closed Tuesday, May 3 through Friday, May 6 SANTA FE – Monastery Lake, near Pecos, will be closed to the public from dusk Tuesday, May 3, until dawn Saturday, May 7. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish leases the lake for public fishing from the Benedictine Monastery in Pecos through the Open Gate Program. The owners and the Department have agreed to this brief closure. Conservation officers will monitor the lake during this time. The angling public’s cooperation is greatly appreciated. Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of other nearby fishing opportunities on the Pecos River and at Cowles Ponds. Additional fishing opportunities can be found in the Department’s weekly fishing and stocking reports. More information on the [...]
Fire restrictions implemented statewide; Game and Fish patrolling Commission properties
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 22, 2022: Fire restrictions implemented statewide; Game and Fish patrolling Commission properties SANTA FE – With incidences of wildfires increasing daily, the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) Forestry Division announced restrictions on fireworks, smoking, campfires and open fires in New Mexico. The restrictions are in effect as of 12:00 p.m. today, Friday, April 22, 2022. The Forestry Division will continue to coordinate with other jurisdictions including federal, counties and municipalities to ensure that appropriate protections are in place to protect New Mexico as fire danger and wildfires increase. The Department of Game and Fish will follow guidelines initiated by the State Forestry Division for Game Commission-owned properties across the state. Commission-owned properties will also follow the same restrictions or closures in place [...]