Fishing in the Northern Mountains & Rio Grande
Rio Grande, Red River, Pecos River, Eagle Nest Lake, and the rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, and kokanee fishing of northern New Mexico.
1. Rio Grande (Upper) (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee, Smallmouth Bass)
Rio Grande, Taos/Rio Arriba countiesThe upper Rio Grande in northern New Mexico offers world-class trout fishing through the Rio Grande Gorge and the Valle Vidal with wild Rio Grande cutthroat trout and excellent fly fishing.
2. Red River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee)
Red River, Taos CountyThe Red River is a premier trout stream flowing from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains through the town of Red River, offering excellent fly fishing and stocked rainbow trout.
3. Pecos River (Upper) (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout)
Pecos River, San Miguel CountyThe upper Pecos River in the Santa Fe National Forest offers excellent trout fishing in a scenic mountain canyon with wild cutthroat trout and multiple Forest Service access points.
4. Eagle Nest Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Cutthroat Trout, Northern Pike)
Eagle Nest Lake, Colfax CountyEagle Nest Lake is a 2,400-acre high-mountain reservoir at 8,200 feet in the Moreno Valley, offering excellent rainbow trout and kokanee fishing with a state park and campground.
5. Cimarron River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Cimarron River, Colfax CountyThe Cimarron River flows from Philmont Scout Ranch through Cimarron Canyon State Park, offering excellent trout fishing in a dramatic granite canyon.
6. Rio Hondo (Taos) (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Rio Hondo, Taos CountyThe Rio Hondo is a scenic trout stream flowing from the Wheeler Peak Wilderness to the Rio Grande near Taos.
7. Rio Pueblo de Taos (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Rio Pueblo de Taos, Taos CountyThe Rio Pueblo de Taos offers good trout fishing in the Taos Valley with public access near the Taos Pueblo.
8. Rio de los Alamos (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Rio de los Alamos, Taos CountyThe Rio de los Alamos offers good trout fishing in the mountains west of Taos.
9. Santa Barbara River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Santa Barbara River, Taos CountyThe Santa Barbara River flows from the Truchas Peaks offering excellent wilderness trout fishing in the Pecos Wilderness.
10. Embudo Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Embudo Creek, Taos CountyEmbudo Creek offers good trout fishing in the Rio Grande Gorge area near Pilar.
11. Rio Fernando de Taos (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Rio Fernando de Taos, Taos CountyThe Rio Fernando de Taos offers good trout fishing in the Taos area with public access.
12. Rio Lucero (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Rio Lucero, Taos CountyRio Lucero offers good trout fishing in the mountains of the Taos Valley.
13. Rio Chama (Upper) (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee)
Rio Chama, Rio Arriba CountyThe upper Rio Chama is a premier trout stream in the Carson National Forest with excellent brown trout fishing and the famous Chama River canyon.
14. Rio Nutrias (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Rio Nutrias, Rio Arriba CountyRio Nutrias offers good trout fishing in the Jicarilla Ranger District of the Carson National Forest.
15. Rio Gallina (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Rio Gallina, Rio Arriba CountyRio Gallina offers good trout fishing in the Carson National Forest near Cuba.
16. Laguna del Pino Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee)
Laguna del Pino Lake, Taos CountyLaguna del Pino Lake offers good trout fishing in the Questa area of the Rio Grande watershed.
17. Cabresto Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Cabresto Creek, Taos CountyCabresto Creek offers excellent trout fishing in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Questa.
18. Rio Grande del Rancho (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Rio Grande del Rancho, Taos CountyRio Grande del Rancho offers good trout fishing near the town of Taos.
19. Costilla Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Costilla Creek, Taos CountyCostilla Creek offers good trout fishing in the Latin Peak Wilderness near the Colorado border.
20. Comanche Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Comanche Creek, Colfax CountyComanche Creek offers good trout fishing in the Valle Vidal unit of the Carson National Forest.
21. Little Rio Grande (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Little Rio Grande, Rio Arriba CountyThe Little Rio Grande offers good trout fishing in the Canjilon area of northern New Mexico.
22. Rio Vallecitos (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Rio Vallecitos, Rio Arriba CountyRio Vallecitos offers good trout fishing in the Carson National Forest near Vallecitos.
23. Trout Lakes (Taos) (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Trout Lakes, Taos CountyThe Trout Lakes in the Latin Peak Wilderness offer excellent high-elevation trout fishing with hike-in access.
24. Hidden Lake (Taos Co.) (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Hidden Lake, Taos CountyHidden Lake offers good wilderness trout fishing in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
25. Middle Ponil Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Middle Ponil Creek, Colfax CountyMiddle Ponil Creek offers good trout fishing in the Philmont Scout Ranch area.
26. Rayado Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Rayado Creek, Colfax CountyRayado Creek offers good trout fishing in the Cimarron area of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
27. Agua Fria Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Agua Fria Creek, Santa Fe CountyAgua Fria Creek offers good trout fishing in the Santa Fe National Forest near the Pecos Wilderness.
28. Santa Fe River (Upper) (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Santa Fe River, Santa Fe CountyThe upper Santa Fe River offers good trout fishing in the Santa Fe National Forest above the city of Santa Fe.
29. Lake Katherine (Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Lake Katherine, Santa Fe CountyLake Katherine is a high-alpine lake in the Pecos Wilderness offering excellent cutthroat trout fishing at 11,800 feet.
30. Chicoma Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Chicoma Creek, Rio Arriba CountyChicoma Creek offers good trout fishing in the Jemez Mountains area of the Santa Fe National Forest.
31. Rio Cebolla (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Rio Cebolla, Rio Arriba CountyRio Cebolla offers good trout fishing in the Canjilon area of the Carson National Forest.
32. Canjilon Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Canjilon Creek, Rio Arriba CountyCanjilon Creek offers good trout fishing in the Canjilon Lakes area of northern New Mexico.
33. Canjilon Lakes (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Canjilon Lakes, Rio Arriba CountyThe Canjilon Lakes are a series of high-elevation lakes offering excellent trout fishing in the Carson National Forest.
34. Lagunitas Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Lagunitas Lake, Rio Arriba CountyLagunitas Lake offers good trout fishing in the Santa Fe National Forest near Coyote.
35. San Gregorio Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee)
San Gregorio Lake, Santa Fe CountySan Gregorio Lake offers good trout and kokanee fishing in the Jemez Mountains.
36. Fenton Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Fenton Lake, Sandoval CountyFenton Lake is a 35-acre natural lake in the Jemez Mountains offering excellent trout fishing with a state park and handicap-accessible fishing pier.
37. Seven Lakes (Carson NF) (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Seven Lakes, Rio Arriba CountyThe Seven Lakes in the Carson National Forest offer excellent wilderness trout fishing.
38. Laguna Colorada (Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Laguna Colorada, Rio Arriba CountyLaguna Colorada offers good high-elevation trout fishing in the Carson National Forest.
39. Brazos Box Canyon (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Brazos Box Canyon, Rio Arriba CountyThe Brazos Box Canyon on the Brazos River offers excellent trout fishing in a dramatic gorge setting.
40. Chama River (El Vado area) (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee, Northern Pike)
Chama River, Rio Arriba CountyThe Chama River through the El Vado area offers excellent trout fishing below the El Vado Dam with public access.
Fishing Tips for the Northern Mountains & Rio Grande
- Check local regulations before fishing — each water body may have specific rules on limits, seasons, and bait.
- Spring and fall typically offer the best fishing in New Mexico for most species.
- Consider hiring a local guide for the best experience on unfamiliar waters.
- Always carry a valid New Mexico fishing license — available online through the state wildlife agency.
- Practice catch and release for sensitive species to help maintain healthy fish populations.
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