Fishing in the Northern Mountains & Rio Grande
Explore fishing in the Northern Mountains & Rio Grande of New Mexico. Rio Grande, Red River, Pecos River, Eagle Nest Lak
The 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.
1. Rio Grande (Upper)
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.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
- Trout (brown, brook, rainbow, Gila) & kokanee salmon · Limit: 5 per day / 10 possession (max 2 lake trout and/or 2 cutthroat in limit)
3. Pecos River (Upper)
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.
- ⚠ This water: Northern pike: no bag or possession limit; may not be returned intentionally to the lake.
- Trout (brown, brook, rainbow, Gila) & kokanee salmon · Limit: 5 per day / 10 possession (max 2 lake trout and/or 2 cutthroat in limit)
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
- Northern pike · Limit: 10 per day · No limit at Eagle Nest Lake
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.
- ⚠ This water: Special Trout Water.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
6. Rio Hondo (Taos)
Rio Hondo, Taos CountyThe Rio Hondo is a scenic trout stream flowing from the Wheeler Peak Wilderness to the Rio Grande.
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.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
Boat Launch: Taos Junction Bridge Boat Launch →
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.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
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.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
Boat Launch: Lone Juniper Boat Takeout →
10. Embudo Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Embudo Creek, Taos CountyEmbudo Creek offers good trout fishing in the Rio Grande Gorge area.
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.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
Boat Launch: Taos Junction Bridge Boat Launch →
12. Rio Lucero (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Rio Lucero, Taos CountyRio Lucero offers good trout fishing in the mountains of the Taos Valley.
Boat Launch: Taos Junction Bridge Boat Launch →
13. Rio Chama (Upper)
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.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
15. Rio Gallina (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Rio Gallina, Rio Arriba CountyRio Gallina offers good trout fishing in the Carson National Forest.
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.
- Trout (brown, brook, rainbow, Gila) & kokanee salmon · Limit: 5 per day / 10 possession (max 2 lake trout and/or 2 cutthroat in limit)
Boat Launch: Laguna del Pino Lake →
17. Cabresto Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Cabresto Creek, Taos CountyCabresto Creek offers excellent trout fishing in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
- ⚠ This water: (Cabresto Canyon to the headwaters, not including Lake Fork or
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
Boat Launch: Two Rivers Marina →
18. Rio Grande del Rancho (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Rio Grande del Rancho, Taos CountyRio Grande del Rancho offers good trout fishing.
Boat Launch: Rio Grande del Rancho →
19. Costilla Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Costilla Creek, Taos CountyCostilla Creek offers good trout fishing in the Latin Peak Wilderness.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
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.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
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.
Boat Launch: Taos Junction Bridge Boat Launch →
22. Rio Vallecitos (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Rio Vallecitos, Rio Arriba CountyRio Vallecitos offers good trout fishing in the Carson National Forest.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
23. Trout Lakes (Taos)
Trout Lakes, Taos CountyThe Trout Lakes in the Latin Peak Wilderness offer excellent high-elevation trout fishing with hike-in access.
24. 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.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
25. 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.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
26. 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.
27. Santa Fe River (Upper)
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.
28. 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.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
29. 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.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
30. 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.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
31. 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.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
32. 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.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
33. Lagunitas Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Lagunitas Lake, Rio Arriba CountyLagunitas Lake offers good trout fishing in the Santa Fe National Forest.
34. 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.
- Trout (brown, brook, rainbow, Gila) & kokanee salmon · Limit: 5 per day / 10 possession (max 2 lake trout and/or 2 cutthroat in limit)
Boat Launch: San Gregorio Lake →
35. 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.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
36. Seven Lakes (Carson NF)
Seven Lakes, Rio Arriba CountyThe Seven Lakes in the Carson National Forest offer excellent wilderness trout fishing.
37. Laguna Colorada (Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout)
Laguna Colorada, Rio Arriba CountyLaguna Colorada offers good high-elevation trout fishing in the Carson National Forest.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
38. 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.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
Boat Launch: Brazos Box Canyon →
39. Chama River (El Vado area)
Chama River, Rio Arriba CountyThe Chama River through the El Vado area offers excellent trout fishing below the El Vado Dam with public access.
40. Hackberry Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee, Brook Trout)
Hackberry Lake, New MexicoPopular fishing lake in the Northern Mountains & Rio Grande region of New Mexico.
- Cutthroat trout · Limit: 2 per day / 4 possession
- Trout (brown, brook, rainbow, Gila) & kokanee salmon · Limit: 5 per day / 10 possession (max 2 lake trout and/or 2 cutthroat in limit)
Fishing Tips for the Northern Mountains & Rio Grande
- 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 Northern Mountains & Rio Grande 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.
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