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Fishing in New Mexico

Click a region to explore top fishing spots, species, and local tips.

New Mexico offers surprisingly diverse fishing from the Rocky Mountain peaks of the north to the warm reservoirs of the south. The Rio Grande provides excellent brown and rainbow trout fishing, the Gila National Forest offers remote wilderness trout streams, and large reservoirs like Elephant Butte and Navajo Lake provide outstanding bass, walleye, and catfish fishing in a high-desert setting.

Topographic map — click to view full size

Northern Mountains & Rio Grande

Rio Grande, Red River, Pecos River, Eagle Nest Lake -- Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee, Rio Grande Cutthroat

Central NM & Albuquerque

Rio Grande, Cochiti Lake, Abiquiu Lake, Jemez Mountains -- Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike

Pecos River & Southeast

Pecos River, Brantley Lake, Santa Rosa Lake -- Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill

Southwestern NM & Gila

Gila River, Gila National Forest, Bill Evans Lake -- Gila Trout, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Crappie

Eastern Plains & Lakes

Ute Lake, Conchas Lake, Clayton Lake -- Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Crappie, White Bass