This is the Official New Mexico Fishing regulations and Information navigation page for the New Mexico state rules and regulations guidebook overviews.
You can access each individual state regulation guidebook by clicking the links below.
These are just the overviews of the official state regulations.
The Actual state New Mexico Fishing regulation guidebooks are accessible by clicking on the state you would like to see from the home page map then clicking on the New Mexico state fishing regulations books.
They are also accessible by clicking on the New Mexico fishing erg books below and accessing the New Mexico fishing regs link in the New Mexico Guidebooks listed below.
Enjoy be safe and have a great time exploring the site and remember to check back often to keep updated on all the new laws, rules, and New Mexico regulations pertaining to the hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife sports.
Weather its New Mexico Trout fishing, New Mexico bass fishing, New Mexico striper fishing, New Mexico Salmon fishing, New Mexico Catfish fishing, New Mexico steelhead fishing, New Mexico Panfish fishing, New Mexico pike/muskie fishing, New Mexico Walleye fishing  We have the New Mexico state fishing regulations for your trip into the wilderness or on the water covered in one easy to location.
If you need New Mexico fishing maps, New Mexico state fishing maps, or just some New Mexico fishing reports to tell you were the bite is hot we have that too.

New Mexico Fishing Report

If you’re planning a fishing trip to New Mexico, you have some excellent choices for lakes and streams throughout the state including Abiquiu Reservoir, Brantley Lake, Caballo Lake, Conchas Lake, Eagle Nest Lake, El Vado Lake, Elephant Butte Reservoir, Heron Lake, Navajo Lake, Red Bluff Reservoir, Santa Rosa Lake, Sumner Lake, Ute Lake and others. Many of the lakes in New Mexico have camping facilities as well as other accommodations nearby. New Mexico is well known for excellent Bass, Crappie and Walleye fishing. Additionally, in waters around the state you’ll find populations of Trout, Salmon, Catfish, Stripers, Northern Pike, Longnose Gar and sunfish including Green Sunfish, Longear Sunfish, White Bass, Yellow Perch which are plentiful in some waters.

Fishing is regulated in New Mexico by the Fish & Game Department. You can check their website for current fishing reports.

Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass
Fishing in New Mexico.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in the New Mexico area.

Bass Fishing Lakes in New Mexico

The major lakes in New Mexico with healthy populations of bass include Abiquiu Reservoir, Brantley Lake, Caballo Lake, Conchas Lake, Elephant Butte Reservoir, Navajo Lake, Red Bluff Reservoir, Santa Rosa Lake, Sumner Lake and Ute Lake.

The New Mexico state record largemouth bass was caught from Bill Evans Lake and the NM state record smallmouth bass camer out of Navajo Lake.
rout Fishing in New Mexico

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Lakes in New Mexico

Caballo Lake, Eagle Nest Lake, El Vado Lake and Heron Lake are the larger lakes in the state with a healthy population of trout. In addition, some smaller lakes and the rivers flow into and out of these trout lakes may also contain trout. Visit the New Mexico Game & Fish website for information regarding trout stocking in New Mexico.

The New Mexico state records were caught from:
Brook trout - Hidden Lake
Brown Trout - the Chama River
Cutthroat trout - Latir Lakes
Lake trout - Heron Lake
Rainbow trout - Santa Cruz Lake

Salmon Fishing in New Mexico

Salmon Fishing Lakes in New Mexico

Eagle Nest Lake, El Vado Lake, Navajo Lake and Heron Lake are the primary salmon waters in New Mexico. The New Mexico state record coho salmon was caught from El Vado Lake and the NM state record kokanee salmon came out of Navajo Lake.

Walleye Fishing in New Mexico

Walleye
Stizostedion vitreum

The walleye prefers moderately deep lakes with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms. It is found primarily in cold water lakes but has proven to survive in some warmer water impoundments. It is prized for its great tasting white, flaky flesh.

Walleye Fishing Lakes in New Mexico

Most fishermen would never guess that Ne Mwxico has several excellent walleye fisheries. Abiquiu Reservoir, Brantley Lake, Caballo Lake, Clayton Lake, Conchas Lake, Sumner Lake and Ute Lake all have populations of walleye.

The New Mexico state record walleye was caught from Clayton Lake.

New Mexico walleye spawn in spring and when they have the option will choose to migrate from the lake up into feeder streams to spawn. If this option is not available they seek out shallow bars or shoals with clean bottom surfaces near deep water.

This toothy fish will eat virtually anything it can catch and get in its mouth. They prefer small fish and will eat crustaceans, worms and insects. They tend to be somewhat wary and prefer the safety of deeper darker water. Try fishing for walleye from sundown to midnight, particularly during the heat of summer.

Fish for New Mexico walleye with live bait, crankbaits, spoons, small spinner baits as well as plastic worms and grubs.

Crappie Fishing in New Mexico

Crappie are actually a member of the sunfish family and can be found in all the continental states. They are known by many different names, typically based on geographic location. Paper mouth, goggleye, bridge perch and speckled perch, just to name a few.

Crappie Fishing Lakes in New Mexico

Many of the warmer waters in NM contain crappie. The larger lakes in the state with healthy schools of crappie include Abiquiu Reservoir, Brantley Lake, Caballo Lake, Conchas Lake, Elephant Butte Reservoir, Navajo Lake, Red Bluff Reservoir, Santa Rosa Lake, Sumner Lake and Ute Lake. Ponds, rivers and small lakes may also be home to schools of crappie.

The New Mexico state record crappie was caught from the Black River.

Catfish Fishing in New Mexico

There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. They can be found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked.

Catfish Fishing Lakes in New Mexico

You can find catfish in the vast majority of waters throughout New Mexico. Rivers, ponds, small lakes are likely places to locate catfish. The major lakes with healthy populations of catfish include Abiquiu Reservoir, Brantley Lake, Caballo Lake, Conchas Lake, Elephant Butte Reservoir, Navajo Lake, Red Bluff Reservoir, Santa Rosa Lake, Sumner Lake and Ute Lake.

The New Mexico state record blue catfish and state record flathead catfish were both caught from Elephant Butte Lake. Stubblefield Lake gave up the NM state record channel catfish.

Sunfish Fishing in New Mexico for Bluegills, Green Sunfish, Longear Sunfish, White Bass, Yellow Perch and Other NM Panfish.

One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout New Mexico and around the world for that matter. They can survive in waters that provide their natural food source of minnows, crustaceans, insects and worms. Their competitive nature amongst themselves for food, makes them relatively easy to catch.

Sunfish Lakes In New Mexico

It's been said 'they're everywhere'. And when it comes to sunfish, that's basically true. They populate ponds, rivers, parks, canals, small lakes and are a major part of the food chain in major lakes including Abiquiu Reservoir, Brantley Lake, Caballo Lake, Conchas Lake, Elephant Butte Reservoir, Navajo Lake, Red Bluff Reservoir, Santa Rosa Lake, Sumner Lake and Ute Lake.

The New Mexico state record bluegill sunfish was caught from Lovington Lake, the NM state record green sunfish and longear sunfish both came out of Elephant Butte Lake and the state record yellow perch was caught from Lake 13 (Maxwell).

Striper Fishing in New Mexico

While stripers are native to salt water, they naturally migrate into fresh water streams to spawn. Their eggs must remain in motion in order to hatch so the fresh water rivers and streams which drain into the ocean become the spawning grounds for stripers.

Striper Fishing Lakes in New Mexico

The New Mexico state record striped bass was caught from Elephant Butte Lake. This lake offers some of the premiere striper fishing in the southwest. This is the place to catch a monster striper on topwater bait.

Fishing for Northern Pike and Longnose Gar in New Mexico.

New Mexico offers unique fishing opportunities.

Northern Pike
Esox Lucius
IFGA Record: 55.1 lbs
The northern pike is a valient fighter and prefers water temperatures from 58 to 70 degrees. Also known as jack, jackfish, great northern pike and pickerel. While they have been transplanted into most states with cold water, they are native to the northern states and are abundant in the north-eastern states. Northern pike are basically olive in color with white and/or yellow bellies. The northern pike has light-colored marking on a dark body whish is opposite that of their cousins the muskies.They are an ambushing predator that eats frogs, crayfish, birds and virtually any fish they can get into their mouth. Use spinners, fish-immitating lures, jerk-baits or cutbait and fish close to cover.

Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
World Record: 25 lbs
The Longnose Gar can be found in lakes and rivers and prefers quiet backwaters with temperatures ranging from 80 to 90 degrees. Also referred to as gar and garfish, It has a long, sword-like mouth loaded with sharp teeth. They are nocturnal feeders and eat most smaller fish. They can be taken on live bait, fish-imitating lures and nylon string "gobs designed to entangle in their teeth. Most longnose gar are taken by bowfishing or spear fishing. The meat is somewhat tasty but quite bony.
New Mexico Fishing regulations info page     New Mexico Fishing regulations guidebook     new mexico fishing videos