{"id":12967,"date":"2021-06-07T11:14:11","date_gmt":"2021-06-07T17:14:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.emnrd.nm.gov\/spd\/?page_id=12967"},"modified":"2025-09-10T15:18:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T21:18:04","slug":"fishing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.emnrd.nm.gov\/spd\/activities\/fishing\/","title":{"rendered":"Fishing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;b0be57e8-45ee-425d-9b08-63b902479db3&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;745f0d4d-fb4a-4372-aaee-3cbaccc3b5c9&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; module_class=&#8221;vertical-align&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_post_title meta=&#8221;off&#8221; featured_image=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#030303&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_dmb_breadcrumbs font_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; use_home_icon=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; body_text_color=&#8221;#030303&#8243; body_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; link_text_color=&#8221;#030303&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_dmb_breadcrumbs][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; specialty=&#8221;on&#8221; module_class_1=&#8221;sidebar&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;3b41d4fc-a26f-41b7-81f9-aa90b4e0af9b&#8221; inner_width=&#8221;90%&#8221; inner_max_width=&#8221;1400px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_blurb title=&#8221;Explore Section&#8221; use_icon=&#8221;on&#8221; font_icon=&#8221;&#xe044;||divi||400&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; icon_placement=&#8221;left&#8221; image_icon_width=&#8221;14px&#8221; content_max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|on&#8221; module_class=&#8221;blurb-icon-right sidebar-toggle&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;8fc00d2c-b2f8-4f1b-97c7-9228e6c8b2e8&#8243; header_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;13px&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; body_font=&#8221;||||||||&#8221; body_text_color=&#8221;rgba(40,39,40,0.7)&#8221; body_font_size=&#8221;12px&#8221; body_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#1D4784&#8243; use_background_color_gradient=&#8221;on&#8221; background_color_gradient_direction=&#8221;145deg&#8221; background_color_gradient_stops=&#8221;#1d4784 0%|#0585a5 100%&#8221; background_color_gradient_start=&#8221;#1d4784&#8243; background_color_gradient_end=&#8221;#0585a5&#8243; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||14px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;12px|4px|12px|16px|true|false&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|6px|6px|6px|6px&#8221; border_width_bottom=&#8221;1px&#8221; border_color_bottom=&#8221;#dedede&#8221; icon_font_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_sidebar area=&#8221;et_pb_widget_area_3&#8243; module_class=&#8221;sofia-light nav-side&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; body_text_color=&#8221;#212121&#8243; body_font_size=&#8221;15px&#8221; body_line_height=&#8221;1em&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; specialty_columns=&#8221;3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;c2fcccc5-ad69-4521-b1aa-af4146988fe8&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;-23px||1em||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Fishing at New Mexico State Parks<\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;11px||0px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column_inner type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; saved_specialty_column_type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Fishing is one of the most popular activities at New Mexico State Parks. Twenty-four parks have ponds, streams, rivers, or lakes, providing a variety of different fishing experiences. From a lazy afternoon casting for pan-fish to a high-energy adventure of fishing for 40-inch tiger muskie, your State Parks have a lot to offer.<\/p>\n<p>State Parks and the NM Department of Game and Fish are partners in supporting the best fishing opportunities in the state. Even when water levels are low, the fishing (and catching!) can be great. <br \/>In northern New Mexico, trout is king when it comes to sport fishing. Rainbow, brown, lake, and cutthroat trout can all be found in cold water lakes, rivers, and streams.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][et_pb_column_inner type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; saved_specialty_column_type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_code _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/maps.google.com\/maps?f=q&#038;source=s_q&#038;hl=en&#038;geocode=&#038;q=new+mexico&#038;aq=&#038;sll=34.166233,-106.026069&#038;sspn=13.799713,19.401855&#038;t=p&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;hq=&#038;hnear=New+Mexico&#038;ll=34.524661,-105.864258&#038;spn=10.164564,12.304687&#038;z=5&#038;iwloc=A&#038;output=embed\"><\/iframe>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Probably the most famous trout fishery is the San Juan River at <a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/navajo-lake-state-park\/\">Navajo Lake State Park<\/a>. The first 4 miles of the river below Navajo Dam is Special Trout Water with restrictions on the type of tackle used and the size and number of fish you can keep.<\/p>\n<p>The first 3.5-mile section is catch-and-release, and the average size of trout is around 16 inches. Overall, there are 17 miles of river managed by the NM Department of Game and Fish for rainbow and brown trout.<br \/>Of course, the San Juan is not the only place to fish for trout and other parks with good trout fishing include:<a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/bluewater-lake-state-park\/\"> Bluewater Lake<\/a>, <a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/cimarron-canyon-state-park\/\">Cimarron Canyon<\/a>, <a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/eagle-nest-lake-state-park\/\">Eagle Nest Lake<\/a>, <a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/el-vado-lake-state-park\/\">El Vado Lake<\/a>, <a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/fenton-lake-state-park\/\">Fenton Lake<\/a>, <a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/heron-lake-state-park\/\">Heron Lake<\/a>, <a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/clayton-lake-state-park-and-dinosaur-trackways\/\">Clayton Lake<\/a>, <a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/coyote-creek-state-park\/\">Coyote Creek<\/a>, <a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/morphy-lake-state-park\/\">Morphy Lake<\/a>, and<a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/sugarite-canyon-state-park\/\"> Sugarite Canyon State Parks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>As might be expected, southern parks are better known for warm water fisheries, including sunfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and catfish.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/elephant-butte-lake-state-park\/\">Elephant Butte Lake State Park<\/a> is best known for white and striped bass fishing, but you can also catch largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, and catfish. This is a large lake, and a fishing guide can help you find the best places to catch a lot of fish. You can also go it alone from the shoreline or a boat.<\/p>\n<p>Other top warm water fisheries in State Parks can be found at <a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/caballo-lake-state-park\/\">Caballo Lake<\/a>, <a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/ute-lake-state-park\/\">Ute Lake<\/a>, <a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/sumner-lake-state-park\/\">Sumner Lake<\/a>, <a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/santa-rosa-lake-state-park\/\">Santa Rosa Lake<\/a>, <a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/oasis-state-park\/\">Oasis<\/a> and <a href=\"\/spd\/find-a-park\/brantley-lake-state-park\/\">Brantley Lake<\/a> State Parks.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bowfishing<\/strong> &#8211; Bowfishing is a growing sport around the country and is allowed at all lake parks. Only bowfishing for nongame species is allowed and no fishing permit is required.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ice Fishing<\/strong> &#8211; Even in winter, fishing opportunities are still available at State Parks. Ice fishing is a very popular activity and can be done at both Eagle Nest and Bluewater Lakes. Tiger muskie bite all year long at Bluewater Lake.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwapps.emnrd.nm.gov\/SPD\/OutfitterPublic\/Default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Professional Fishing Guides<\/a> can help you have a successful fishing trip.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Video- Why Recycle Fishing Line:<\/h3>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=&#8221;https:\/\/youtu.be\/Mp_5hg_6iLQ&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fishing at New Mexico State ParksFishing is one of the most popular activities at New Mexico State Parks. Twenty-four parks have ponds, streams, rivers, or lakes, providing a variety of different fishing experiences. 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