Fishing in Central NM & Albuquerque
Explore fishing in the Central NM & Albuquerque of New Mexico. Rio Grande, Cochiti Lake, Abiquiu Lake, Jemez River, El V
The middle Rio Grande from Cochiti Dam downstream through Albuquerque offers an urban fishery with trout in winter and warmwater species in summer, with multiple city park access points.
1. Rio Grande (Middle)
Rio Grande, Sandoval/Bernalillo/Socorro countiesThe middle Rio Grande from Cochiti Dam downstream through Albuquerque offers an urban fishery with trout in winter and warmwater species in summer, with multiple city park access points.
2. Cochiti Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Crappie, Channel Catfish)
Cochiti Lake, Sandoval CountyCochiti Lake is a 1,200-acre reservoir on the Rio Grande offering excellent trout and bass fishing with a Corps of Engineers park, campground, and boat ramps.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 per day
- Crappie · Limit: 20 per day
Boat Launch: Tetilla Boat Ramp →
3. Abiquiu Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Crappie, Northern Pike, Kokanee)
Abiquiu Lake, Rio Arriba CountyAbiquiu Lake is a 5,200-acre reservoir on the Rio Chama offering excellent trout and bass fishing in the stunning red rock landscape made famous by Georgia O'Keeffe.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 per day
- Crappie · Limit: 20 per day
- Northern pike · Limit: 10 per day · No limit at Eagle Nest Lake
- Trout (brown, brook, rainbow, Gila) & kokanee salmon · Limit: 5 per day / 10 possession (max 2 lake trout and/or 2 cutthroat in limit)
4. Jemez River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout)
Jemez River, Sandoval CountyThe Jemez River flows through the scenic Jemez Mountains offering excellent trout fishing with multiple Forest Service access points along Highway 4.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
5. El Vado Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Northern Pike, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass)
El Vado Lake, Rio Arriba CountyEl Vado Lake is a 3,000-acre reservoir on the Rio Chama offering excellent trout and northern pike fishing in a scenic setting.
- Trout (brown, brook, rainbow, Gila) & kokanee salmon · Limit: 5 per day / 10 possession (max 2 lake trout and/or 2 cutthroat in limit)
- Northern pike · Limit: 10 per day · No limit at Eagle Nest Lake
- Walleye · Limit: 5 per day
6. Tingley Beach (Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill)
Tingley Beach, Bernalillo CountyTingley Beach is a popular urban fishing destination in Albuquerque along the Rio Grande offering three stocked ponds with a fishing pier and the Rio Grande Nature Center.
- Other warmwater (bluegill, sunfish, bullheads, freshwater drum) · Limit: 20 per day
7. Rio Rancho Lake (Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill)
Rio Rancho Lake, Sandoval CountyRio Rancho Lake offers good community fishing in a 30-acre lake in the Rio Rancho suburban area.
- Crappie · Limit: 20 per day
- Other warmwater (bluegill, sunfish, bullheads, freshwater drum) · Limit: 20 per day
8. Albuquerque Ponds (Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass)
Various locations, Bernalillo CountyThe Albuquerque urban fishing ponds at multiple city parks offer stocked rainbow trout in winter and warmwater species in summer.
- Other warmwater (bluegill, sunfish, bullheads, freshwater drum) · Limit: 20 per day
Boat Launch: Alameda Bridge West →
9. Coronado Lake (Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill)
Coronado Lake, Bernalillo CountyCoronado Lake in the Manzano Mountains offers good trout and bass fishing in a Forest Service campground setting.
- Crappie · Limit: 20 per day
- Other warmwater (bluegill, sunfish, bullheads, freshwater drum) · Limit: 20 per day
10. Manzano Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Manzano Lake, Torrance CountyManzano Lake offers good trout fishing in the Cibola National Forest's Manzano Mountains.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
11. McAllister Lake (Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish)
McAllister Lake, San Miguel CountyMcAllister Lake offers good trout fishing in the Santa Fe National Forest.
Boat Launch: McAllister Lake →
12. Storrie Lake (Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye, Channel Catfish, Crappie)
Storrie Lake, San Miguel CountyStorrie Lake is a 1,100-acre reservoir offering good trout and walleye fishing with a state park.
- Northern pike · Limit: 10 per day · No limit at Eagle Nest Lake
- Walleye · Limit: 5 per day
- Crappie · Limit: 20 per day
Boat Launch: Storrie Lake State Park →
13. Conchas Lake (Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, White Bass, Wiper)
Conchas Lake, San Miguel CountyConchas Lake is a 9,600-acre reservoir on the Canadian River offering excellent walleye and bass fishing with a state park and full-service marina.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 per day
- Crappie · Limit: 20 per day
- White bass & hybrid striped bass · Limit: 25 per day
Boat Launch: Conchas Lake State Park →
14. Ute Lake (Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, White Bass, Wiper, Striped Bass)
Ute Lake, Quay CountyUte Lake is a 9,700-acre reservoir on the Canadian River offering excellent walleye and wiper fishing with a state park.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 per day
- Crappie · Limit: 20 per day
- White bass & hybrid striped bass · Limit: 25 per day
- Striped bass · Limit: 1 per day · No limit in Animas & San Juan rivers
15. Tucumcari Lake (Channel Catfish, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill)
Tucumcari Lake, Quay CountyTucumcari Lake is a 210-acre lake in Tucumcari offering good warmwater fishing with a city park.
- Crappie · Limit: 20 per day
- Other warmwater (bluegill, sunfish, bullheads, freshwater drum) · Limit: 20 per day
16. Sumner Lake (Walleye, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, White Bass)
Sumner Lake, De Baca CountySumner Lake is a 1,400-acre reservoir offering good walleye and catfish fishing with a state park.
- Walleye · Limit: 5 per day
- Crappie · Limit: 20 per day
- White bass & hybrid striped bass · Limit: 25 per day
17. Santa Fe Diversion Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass)
Santa Fe Diversion Lake, Santa Fe CountySanta Fe Diversion Lake on the Santa Fe River offers good fishing.
Boat Launch: Alameda Bridge West →
18. Aspen Ranch Lakes (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Aspen Ranch Lakes, Santa Fe CountyAspen Ranch Lakes offer good private fishing.
Boat Launch: Aspen Ranch Lakes →
19. Bishop's Lodge Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass)
Bishop's Lodge Lake, Santa Fe CountyBishop's Lodge Lake offers good fishing in a scenic foothills setting.
Boat Launch: Bishop's Lodge Lake →
20. Lake Roberts (Jemez)
Lake Roberts, Sandoval CountyLake Roberts in the Jemez Mountains offers good trout fishing in a Forest Service setting.
21. Redondo Creek (Jemez)
Redondo Creek, Sandoval CountyRedondo Creek offers good trout fishing in the Valles Caldera National Preserve of the Jemez Mountains.
22. Valles Caldera Streams (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Valles Caldera, Sandoval CountyThe Valles Caldera National Preserve offers excellent trout fishing in its pristine mountain streams with a permit system.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
Boat Launch: Jetskits Marc Donis Canela →
23. San Antonio Creek (Jemez)
San Antonio Creek, Sandoval CountySan Antonio Creek offers good trout fishing in the Jemez Mountains region.
Boat Launch: Fenton Lake State Park →
24. East Fork Jemez River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
East Fork Jemez River, Sandoval CountyThe East Fork Jemez River offers excellent trout fishing in the Valles Caldera area with wild Rio Grande cutthroat trout.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
Boat Launch: Fenton Lake State Park →
25. Rio de las Vacas (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Rio de las Vacas, Sandoval CountyRio de las Vacas offers good trout fishing in the Jemez Mountains.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
Boat Launch: Rio de las Vacas →
26. Rio Puerco (Jemez)
Rio Puerco, Sandoval CountyThe Rio Puerco in the Jemez Mountains offers good trout fishing in a remote setting.
27. San Pedro Creek (Jemez)
San Pedro Creek, Sandoval CountySan Pedro Creek offers good trout fishing in the Jemez Mountains.
Boat Launch: San Pedro Creek →
28. Garcia Park Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Garcia Park Pond, Sandoval CountyGarcia Park Pond offers good family trout fishing in the Jemez Mountains.
Boat Launch: Garcia Park Pond →
29. Jackson Lake (Sandoval Co.)
Jackson Lake, Sandoval CountyJackson Lake offers good trout fishing in the Jemez Mountains.
30. Dome Lake (Sandoval Co.)
Dome Lake, Sandoval CountyDome Lake offers good high-elevation trout fishing in the Valles Caldera area.
31. Coyote Creek State Park (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Coyote Creek State Park, Rio Arriba CountyCoyote Creek State Park offers excellent trout fishing in a scenic mountain stream setting with campground.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
32. Buttes Lake (Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish)
Buttes Lake, Socorro CountyButtes Lake on the Plains of San Agustin offers good trout and bass fishing.
33. Timber Lake (Datti)
Timber Lake, Socorro CountyTimber Lake offers good fishing in the Datil Mountains of west-central New Mexico.
34. Red Hill Lake (Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass)
Red Hill Lake, Catron CountyRed Hill Lake offers good trout and bass fishing in the Catron County mountains.
35. San Olaya Lake (Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish)
San Olaya Lake, Socorro CountySan Olaya Lake offers good community fishing.
36. Joe Moore Lake (Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish, Bluegill)
Joe Moore Lake, Socorro CountyJoe Moore Lake offers good family fishing.
- Other warmwater (bluegill, sunfish, bullheads, freshwater drum) · Limit: 20 per day
37. Crows Mill Lake (Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish)
Crows Mill Lake, Socorro CountyCrows Mill Lake offers good warmwater fishing in the Datil Mountains area.
Boat Launch: Great Eastern Slipway →
38. Loon Lake (Socorro Co.)
Loon Lake, Socorro CountyLoon Lake offers good high-elevation trout fishing in the Magdalena Mountains.
39. Chamisa Lake (Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass)
Chamisa Lake, Torrance CountyChamisa Lake offers good community fishing in Torrance County.
40. Cassan Lake (Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Brown Trout)
Cassan Lake, New MexicoNamed lake in the Central NM & Albuquerque region of New Mexico.
- Crappie · Limit: 20 per day
Fishing Tips for the Central NM & Albuquerque
- Get a licence — All anglers need a valid state fishing licence — check your state's wildlife agency site.
- Check the weather & water conditions — always check forecasts and wind before heading out, especially on big water.
- Know the regulations — size and catch limits vary by water body in New Mexico; check the local regulations first.
- Best times — early morning and late evening are prime. Many Central NM & Albuquerque waters fish best in spring and fall.
- Use the right gear — match your rod, line, and tackle to the species you're chasing and the water you're fishing.
More Regions in New Mexico
- Eastern Plains & Lakes
- Northern Mountains & Rio Grande
- Pecos River & Southeast
- Southwestern NM & Gila
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