Regulations for Specific Waters
Click the tab headings below to learn more about regulations for specific waters, including a quick list of waters specified only for youth, persons with disabilities, or seniors.
(Updated 4-1-2021)
| Regulations for Specific Waters |
|---|
| Alto Lake: Shore fishing hours: 5 a.m.–11 p.m.; Boat hours: Sunrise to sundown; Restricted to boats without motors only; City boating permit required; Special Summer Catfish Water2; No trotlines. |
| Animas River (San Juan Co.): No bag or possession limit for channel catfish or striped |
| Bataan Lake: Special Summer Catfish Water2; Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines. |
| Bear Canyon Lake: Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines; Boats restricted to oars or electric motor only. |
| Big Dry Creek (Catron Co.): Closed to fishing from Golden Link Cabin upstream through its headwaters. |
| Bill Evans Lake: Trophy Bass Water 10; Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines; Boats restricted to oars or electric motors only. |
| Black Canyon Creek (Grant Co.): Closed to fishing November 1–June 30 upstream of waterfall barrier at Black Canyon Campground; Special Trout Water4; Gila Trout Permit5 (free) required. |
| Black River: Winter Trout Water3. |
| Blue Hole Park Pond (Santa Rosa): Open only to anglers 11 years of age or younger6, 65 years and older7 and individuals with disabilities (Handicapped Fishing License)8. Special Summer Catfish Water2; |
| Bluewater Reservoir: One tiger muskie, 40 inches or longer. |
| Bonito Lake: Closed until further notice due to Little Bear Fire. |
| Bosque Redondo: Special Summer Catfish Water2; Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines. |
| Bottomless Lakes State Park: Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines; Fishing with baitfish |
| Butler Street Reservoir: Open 5 a.m.–10 p.m. |
| Cabresto Creek (Cabresto Canyon to the headwaters, not including Lake Fork or |
| Cabresto Lake): Special Trout Water4. |
| Canada Tio Grande: Special Trout Water4. |
| Capulin Creek (Bandelier/Dome Wilderness, Sandoval Co.): Special Trout Water4. |
| Carlsbad Municipal Lake: Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines. |
| Carrizozo Lake: Special Summer Catfish Water2; Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines. |
| Chaparral Lake: Special Summer Catfish Water2; Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines. |
| Charette Lakes (upper and lower): Open to fishing from noon March 1–noon October 31; Boats may be used only during fishing seasons and are restricted to trolling speeds. |
| Cimarron River: Special Trout Water4. |
| Clayton Lake: Trophy Bass Water 10; Open to fishing from noon March 1–noon October 31; Boats may be used only during fishing season and are restricted to trolling speeds. |
| Cochiti Lake: Boats restricted to trolling speeds; Spillway closed to fishing. |
| Columbine Creek: Special Trout Water4. |
| Conchas Lake: Smallmouth bass less than 14 inches must be released. |
| Conoco Lake: Special Summer Catfish Water2; No trotlines. |
| Corona Pond (Silver Pond): Special Summer Catfish Water2; Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines. |
| Cowles Pond (smaller of the two ponds): Open only to anglers 11 years of age or younger6 or anglers/individuals with disabilities (Handicapped Fishing License)8. |
| Dennis Chavez Pond: Winter Trout Water3; Special Summer Catfish Water2; No trotlines. |
| Eagle Nest Lake: Open 6 a.m.–9 p.m.; Special Kokanee Salmon Snagging Season1, October 1–December 31; Day use only, camping available at Eagle Nest Lake State Park; Posted portion near dam is closed to fishing. There are no bag or possession limit for northern pike. All northern pike caught must be kept in possession. No pike may be intentionally returned to the lake. |
| El Vado Lake: Special Kokanee Salmon Snagging Season1, October 1–December 31. |
| Escondida Lake: Special Summer Catfish Water2; Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines. |
| Estancia Pond: Open only to anglers 11 years of age or younger6, 65 and older7 or anglers/individuals with disabilities (Handicapped Fishing License)8. Winter Trout Water3; Special Summer Catfish Water2; |
| Eunice Lake: Special Summer Catfish Water2; Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines. |
| Fenton Lake: Boats restricted to oars or electric motors only; Parking area open to vehicles from |
| Frijoles Creek (Taos County): Special Trout Water4. |
| Gavilan Creek: Special Trout Water4. |
| Gilita Creek: Special Trout Water 4; Gila Trout Permit 5 (free) required. |
| Glenwood Hatchery Brood Pond: Open during daylight hours from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset. |
| Grants Riverwalk Pond: Open to all anglers. Special Summer Catfish Water2; Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines. |
| Green Meadow Lake: Special Summer Catfish Water2; Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines; Boats restricted to oars or electric motors only. |
| Greene Acres Lake: Special Summer Catfish Water2; Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines. |
| Grindstone Lake: Shore fishing hours: 5 a.m.–11 p.m.; No boats allowed within fenced or buoyed areas near intake and water diversion structures; City boat permit required; Boat hours: Sunrise to sundown; Boats restricted to oars or electric motors only; Boats restricted to trolling speeds. |
| Harris Pond (Las Vegas): Open only to anglers 11 years of age or younger6. |
| Harry McAdams Park Ponds (Hobbs): Open to anglers 11 years of age and younger6, 65 and older7 or anglers/individuals with disabilities (Handicapped Fishing License)8; Winter Trout Water 3. |
| Heron Lake: Boats restricted to trolling speeds; Special Kokanee Salmon Snagging Season1 open November 12–December 31. |
| Hopewell Lake: Boats restricted to oars or electric motors only. |
| Iron Creek (Catron Co.): Closed to fishing upstream of the constructed waterfall barrier. |
| Italianos Creek: Special Trout Water4. |
| Jack’s Creek: Special Trout Water4. |
| Jackson Lake: Boats restricted to oars or electric motors only. |
| Jal Lake: Special Summer Catfish Water2 and Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines. |
| Laguna del Campo: Open to fishing May 1–October 31 during daylight hours from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset; Open to anglers 14 years of age and younger and up to two parents or guardians directly supervising youth angler(s); Open to anglers 65 and older7 or anglers/individuals with disabilities (Handicapped Fishing License)8; No boats or flotation devices allowed. |
| Laguna Madre (Maxwell Lakes): Posted area within 150 feet of the outlet is closed to fishing. |
| Lake Farmington: Restricted to non-motorized watercraft April 11–October 25; Open Sunrise to Sunset; Shoreline fishing year round. |
| Lake Maloya/Lake Alice (Sugarite State Park): Boats restricted to oars or electric motors only; Open during daylight hours only. |
| Lake Roberts: Trophy Bass Water 10; Boats restricted to oars or electric motors only. No trotlines. |
| Lake Van: Special Summer Catfish Water2 and Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines. |
| Liam Knight Pond (Corrales Community Pond): Special Summer Catfish Water2 and Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines. |
| Little Creek (Catron Co.): Closed to fishing from the barrier upstream through all tributaries. |
| Main Diamond Creek: Closed to fishing above the confluence with South Diamond Creek. |
| Maxwell Lakes 13 & 14: Open to fishing at noon March 1–October 31; Boats restricted to |
| McKenna Creek (Catron Co.): Closed to all fishing. |
| McKnight Creek (Grant Co.): Closed to all fishing. |
| Mineral Creek (Catron Co.): Special Trout Water 4. Gila Trout Permit5 (free) required. |
| Mogollon Creek (Grant and Catron Co.): Closed to fishing year-round upstream of Trail Canyon; Open to fishing, July 1–October 31 downstream of Trail Canyon to FS Trail 153; Special Trout Water4; Gila Trout Permit5 (free) required. |
| Monastery Lake: Open during daylight hours 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset; No boats or floating devices allowed; Ice fishing is not allowed. |
| Morphy Lake: Open to fishing March 1–October 31 (weather permitting); Boats restricted to oars or electric motors. |
| Nabor Creek & Nabor Lake: Special Trout Water4. |
| Navajo Lake: Special Kokanee Salmon Snagging Season1 October 1–December 31;. Designated no-wake areas closed October 1–November 11, (page 17). |
| Ned Houk Pond: Winter Trout Water3; Special Summer Catfish Water2; No trotlines. |
| Oasis State Park: Special Summer Catfish Water2 and Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines; Boats and flotation devices are not allowed. |
| Palociento Creek: Special Trout Water4. |
| Pecos River: Special Trout Water4 and Winter Trout Water3; Summer Catfish Water2 in Villanueva State Park. |
| Perch Lake: Special Summer Catfish Water2 ; Winter Trout Water3. No trotlines. |
| Pine Lodge Creek: Closed for Rio Grande cutthroat trout restoration. |
| Pine River: Special Kokanee Salmon Snagging Season1, October 1–December 31. |
| Quemado Lake: Bag limit for tiger muskie is one fish 40 inches or longer; Boats restricted to oars or electric motors only. |
| Rancho Grande Ponds: Summer Catfish Water2 ; Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines. |
| Red River City Ponds: Middle pond is open only to anglers 12 years of age and younger and anglers/individuals with disabilities (Handicapped Fishing License)8; Large pond is open with no age restrictions; Ponds are open to fishing March 1–November 15. |
| Red River Hatchery Pond: Reserved for anglers 11 years of age and younger6, 65 and older7, and anglers/individuals with disabilities (Handicapped Fishing License)8; No boats or flotation devices are allowed; Open daylight hours 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset; Daily bag and possession limits are |
| Red River: Special Trout Water4. |
| Rio Cebolla: Special Trout Water4. |
| Rio Chama: Special Trout Water4; Special Kokanee Salmon Snagging Season1, October 1–December 31 from El Vado Lake to the western boundary of Rio Chama WMA. |
| Rio Costilla: Special Trout Water4; Camping allowed in designated areas only with permission from |
| Rio de las Vacas: Special Trout Water4. |
| Rio de los Pinos: Special Trout Water4. |
| Rio Grande: Special Trout Water4;Winter Trout Water3 downstream of Elephant Butte Reservoir. |
| Rio Guadalupe: Special Trout Water4. |
| Rio las Animas: Special Trout Water4. |
| Rio Ruidoso: Special Trout Water4. |
| Rio Santa Barbara: Special Trout Water4. |
| Rio Valdez: Special Trout Water4. |
| Rito del Padre: Special Trout Water4. |
| Roswell Kid’s Pond (Spring River Park): Open only to anglers 11 years of age and younger6;Special Summer Catfish Water2; Winter Trout Water3; No trotlines. |
| San Antonio River: Special Trout Water4. |
| San Gregorio Lake: Restricted to boats without motors only. |
| San Juan River (below Navajo Dam): No bag or possession limit for channel catfish or striped bass (page 27); Special Trout Water4, only two flies per line may be used. |
| Santa Cruz Lake: Open 6 a.m.–10 p.m. Ice fishing is not allowed. |
| Sapillo Creek (Grant Co.): Gila Trout Permit5 (free) required. |
| Sargent Wildlife Area: Special Trout Water4. |
| Seven Springs Hatchery Kid’s Pond: Open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. to anglers 11 years of age and younger6. |
| Sheep Corral Creek (Grant Co.): Closed to all fishing. |
| Shuree Ponds: Special Trout Water4; Open to fishing July 1–December 31; Daylight hours from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset; One pond is posted for anglers 11 years of age or younger6; Restricted to boats without motors only. |
| Snow Lake: Boats restricted to oars or electric motors only. |
| South Diamond Creek and Tributaries (Catron and Sierra Co.): Closed to fishing. |
| South Fork Rio Hondo (Taos County): Special Trout Water4. |
| Springer Lake: Boats restricted to trolling speeds only when water storage is less than 1,000 acre feet; |
| Spruce Creek (Catron Co.): Closed to all fishing. |
| Stubblefield Lake: Posted area within 150 feet of the outlet is closed to fishing. |
| Sumner Lake (Stilling Basin): Winter Trout Water4. |
| Tanques Creek: Special Trout Water4. |
| Timberon Ponds: Summer Catfish Water2. No trotlines. |
| Tingley Beach Kid’s Pond: Open sunrise to sunset; Special Trout Water4, South Pond only; Winter Trout Water3; Special Summer Catfish Water2; No trotlines; No boats or flotation devices; Children’s pond open to anglers 12 years of age and younger; Bag limit of four fish for the central and children’s ponds. |
| Trail Canyon Creek (Catron Co.): Closed to all fishing. |
| Trees Lake: Open sunrise to sunset; No boats allowed. |
| Ute Lake: Smallmouth bass less than 14 inches must be released. |
| Valle Vidal: Special Trout Water4; Open to fishing July 1–December 31 during daylight hours from |
| Valles Caldera National Preserve: Special Trout Water4; Fishing permits are available at the Valle Grande Entrance Station and can be obtained upon arrival on the date fishing will take place. For further information visit: http://www.nps.gov/vall. |
| West Fork Gila and All Tributaries (Catron Co.): All tributaries to West Fork of Gila closed to fishing; Headwaters to East Fork confluence Gila Trout Permit 5 (free) required. |
| West Fork Luna Creek: Special Trout Water4. |
| Whitewater Creek (Catron Co.): Special Trout Water 4; Gila Trout Permit 5 (free) required. |
| Willow Creek (Rio Arriba Co.): Special Kokanee Salmon Snagging Season1 open |
| Willow Creek (Catron Co.): Special Trout Water 4; Gila Trout Permit 5 (free) required. |
| Woodrow Canyon Creek: Closed to all fishing. |
| Yerba Creek: Special Trout Water4. |
| Young Pond: Winter Trout Water3; Special Summer Catfish Water2. No trotlines. |
Endnotes:
1 Special Kokanee Salmon Snagging Season
2 Special Summer Catfish Water
3 Regular and Winter Trout Water
4 Special Trout Water
5 Gila Trout Permit Water
6 Licenses are not required for Anglers 11 years of age or younger
7 Senior Fishing License
8 Handicapped Fishing License
9 Junior Fishing Licenses
10 Reduced bag limit of two (2) largemouth bass. Spearfishing and bowfishing for largemouth bass in these waters is prohibited.
Reference (2021-22 NM Fishing Rules & Info pg. 28-32)
Endnotes
Youth Only Waters:
Must be 11 years of age or younger6 to fish in most Youth-Only Waters. A fishing license is not required.
Harris Pond (Las Vegas)
Shuree Kid’s Pond (the Valle Vidal)
Seven Springs Hatchery Brood Pond (Jemez Mountains)
Roswell Kids Pond (Spring River Park)
Youth and Individuals with Disabilities8 Only Waters
Cowles Pond (north of Pecos): Smaller of the two ponds.
Red River City Kid’s Pond (middle pond): Open only to anglers 12 years of age or younger.
Youth, Senior7 and Individuals with Disabilities8 Only Waters
Estancia Park Lake (Estancia)
Harry McAdams Park Ponds (Hobbs)
Red River Hatchery Pond (Red River)
Blue Hole Park Pond at Blue Hole Park (in Santa Rosa)
Youth Under Age 14, Senior and Disabled (Handicapped) Only Waters
Laguna del Campo (Burns Canyon Lake, near Los Ojos Hatchery): Up to two parents and/or guardians may fish if directly supervising a child or children 14 years of age or younger
Endnotes:
1 Special Kokanee Salmon Snagging Season
2 Special Summer Catfish Water
3 Regular and Winter Trout Water
4 Special Trout Water
5 Gila Trout Permit Water
6 Licenses are not required for Anglers 11 years of age or younger
7 Senior Fishing License
8 Handicapped Fishing License
9 Junior Fishing Licenses
10 Reduced bag limit of two (2) largemouth bass. Spearfishing and bowfishing for largemouth bass in these waters is prohibited.
Reference (2021-22 NM Fishing Rules & Info pg. 33)