New Mexico offers some of the best fly fishing in the US, with excellent opportunities to fly fish for trout all year round. You’ll be spoilt for choice by the wide variety of freestone mountain streams, trout rivers, lakes, and reservoirs here.
Combine this with great weather and gorgeous scenery to immerse yourself in, and you’ve got the makings of an amazing New Mexico fly fishing trip.
If you’ve been planning a fishing trip to New Mexico, here’s everything you need to find. From the rules and regulations to the top locations for fly fishing in New Mexico you must not miss, we’ve got you covered!
Looking for the best spots to hit the water and catch some fish in New Mexico? We’ve got you covered! Here are the best lakes, reservoirs, creeks, rivers, and streams for fly fishing New Mexico:
colorado trout fishing guide.
You’ll catch fish anywhere below the dam just be wise and choose areas with very little fishing pressure if you can. The small pocket water fishing can make for great fishing but there isn’t too much of it.
You can also stay at Soaring eagle lodge, right on the banks of the river for prime access, views, and guided fishing.
World Record Brown Trout here.
If you fancy a challenge, you can try to fish the river below El Vado Reservoir. Be prepared for rugged (but breathtaking) terrain and a testing hike through canyons to reach the water.
This New Mexico fly fishing river also has a tailwater stretch coming out of the Abiquiu Lake and you’ll find plenty of big wild browns and rainbows sitting in the pocket water there.
If you’re casting flies from a boat then fishing areas with deep drop-offs and structure is your best bet.
7. Santa Cruz Lake
fly fishing sinking line or two, as most of the action happens down at the bottom of the lake.
The best patterns for Santa Cruz are baitfish streamers and nymphs, as well as midge flies. You can also keep an eye out for natural bugs in and around the water, and try to mimic them for the best success.
9. Fenton Lake
midge patterns perform well here and don’t forget to pack a few Wooly Buggers too.
If you’re interested in finding out the biggest rainbow trout, see our World Record Rainbow Trout here.
New Mexico Fly Fishing Licenses & Regulations
All anglers of 12 years and older must have a license to fish in New Mexico and you can buy one online here or from many license vendors.
You will need a Gila Trout Fishing Permit for certain locations and a habitat stamp for U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.
Be sure to check the regulations of the specific fishery you’re heading to!
Before you head out fly fishing, you should always check a fishing report so you can have an idea of the water conditions.
You can also learn what the fish are doing (and most importantly, eating!) from up-to-date fishing reports. Find the latest fishing reports from area officers and fellow anglers here.
Some of the best flies for New Mexico include classic streamers like the wooly bugger. Don’t forget to take a few of the iconic san juan worms with you, too. Although not all fly fishermen like the Worm, you can’t argue that it will catch you plenty of fish!
It’s all about matching the hatch here, so try to find out what’s happening in your chosen fishing spot. That way, you can select flies that closely match the local bugs. Caddisfly, mayfly, stonefly, and midge patterns all work wonders in both emerger and dry fly form.
If you’re not from the area, a good tip is to ask local fly anglers what’s working well in the area. You can also call a fly fishing shop in advance to get their recommendations before you head out. As it’s on the border to Texas a lot of the same flies that work there, will work here too.
Planning on visiting Texas on your next trip? See our post here on texas fly fishing for a full guide.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHere are the answers to the most common questions we get about fly fishing in New Mexico!
Yes, there is a trout season in New Mexico. The state’s trout season usually runs from April through October, depending on the area of the state.
The trout limit in New Mexico is 5 per day, including no more than 2 cutthroat trout and 2 lake trout. This bag limit also includes Kokanee salmon, with a total of 10 fish in possession at any time. However, take care as the bag limit can vary in certain locations. Check the latest info here.
There are certain regulations you’ll need to follow when fly fishing in New Mexico. As well as bag limits for Kokanee and trout, there are also area-specific regulations that vary from place to place. Make sure you’re up to date on what regulations you need to abide by in your chosen fishing spot to avoid any hassle.
If you need a fishing license for New Mexico, you can either buy it online from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, or from one of the official license vendors found all over the state. You can find a full list of vendors and their locations here.
Anyone aged 12 and over will need a license to fish New Mexico waters. Special junior licenses are available for young people aged 12 – 17 years old.
The Pecos River opened for the fall fishing season on September 12, 2019, and will stay open until November 4, 2019.
You’ll find both largemouth and smallmouth bass in Storrie Lake, NM, as well as catfish and rainbow trout.
You can also visit the nearby state Oklahoma for your next fishing trip. Visit our post here on Oklahoma trout fishing for a guide on the best destinations for trout fishing in Oklahoma.
The Wrap-UpNew Mexico offers exceptional fishing opportunities to both resident fly anglers and fly fishers from further afield. It’s well worth planning a fishing trip to take on some of the exciting New Mexico waters!
Now you know everything about fly fishing New Mexico, from licenses and regulations to the best fly fishing locations and the most effective flies, now you just need to catch some fish.
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