LICENSE YEAR: The fishing license year is April 1-March 31. Annual licenses expire March 31. New annual licenses are needed each April 1.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: ALL persons 12 years or older, while fishing in New Mexico, must have on their person a current New Mexico fishing license. (EXCEPTIONS: Native American reservations and private Class A lakes.)

NM RESIDENT REQUIREMENTS: A resident fishing license may be purchased by: 1) A U.S. citizen who has lived in New Mexico for at least 90 days immediately before buying the license and has not claimed residency anywhere else for any purpose. 2) A person not a U.S. citizen, but legally in the U.S., who has lived in New Mexico for at least 90 days immediately before buying the license. A temporary resident who maintains a home outside of New Mexico may not buy a resident license. Some students in New Mexico educational institutions and members of U.S. Armed Forces permanently stationed in New Mexico may purchase resident licenses if they submit a verification certificate at time of purchase. Get details from the Department of Game and Fish or license vendors.

TROUT STAMP: All fishing licenses include a trout validation.

HABITAT IMPROVEMENT STAMP: is required by all anglers over age 12 to fish on all U.S. Forest Service and U.S. BLM lands in New Mexico, in addition to the appropriate licenses. Only one stamp need be purchased in any license year and is required for 1-day, 5-day, or annual fishing on U.S. Forest Service and BLM lands. Habitat Improvement funds are used for such projects as restoration of trout streams.