As early as 1905, Red River was drawing attention in the newspapers and magazines as a great place to beat the summer heat while doing a little fishing in the river, mountain streams and high country lakes of the Red River Valley. That's as true today as it was in 1905!New Mexico State Records
Think you caught a record-breaking fish? Maybe. Here are the current state records so compare them to the Moby Trout or Moby Salmon you hauled in today.
Kokanee Salmon - 3 lbs/10 oz, 21 1/2" length, 13 1/4" girth Mrs. J. B. Holloman (Navajo Dam NM), caught 9-6-80 in Navajo Lake, Pixie with Corn Bait
Brown Trout - 20 lbs/4 oz, 34 1/2" length, 21" girth C.T. Colgrove (Decatur TX), caught 7-9-46 in Chama River, Live Chub Lure Bait
Cutthroat Trout - 10 lbs/2 oz, 24 5/8" length, 18 1/2" girth Alias Miera, Jr. (Amalia NM), caught 6-27-81 in Latir Lakes, Artificial Lure
Lake Trout - 31 lbs/6 oz, 41 1/2" length, 26" girth Paul Casias (El Prado NM), caught 2-24-99 in Heron Lake, Markie Rainbow Jig
Rainbow Trout - 31 lbs/7.8 oz, 33 1/2" length, 24 1/4" girth Peter Romero (Pojoaque NM), caught 3-13-99 in Santa Cruz Lake, Blood-leech Jig
It's A Cutthroat Deal
They are the Official Fish of New Mexico and Cutthroat Trout are a handsome and exciting fish to catch, being quite aggressive feeders known to hit almost any lure, spinner, or fly.
Golden yellow with dark spots on the body, dorsal, and caudal fin, they're named for the bright red slash mark under the jaw (cutthroat) and can also be identified by the presence of small teeth behind the base of the tongue.
Where can you find them? Cutthroats are often found in stream fed lakes and tributaries. Young ones enjoy hiding among fallen trees, rocks and other structures. These chosen hiding spots allow them to dart after insects, fish and anything else that happens into their "kill zone." As they reach maturity they abandon this surprise ambush strategy and feed by cruising and eating other fish.
Cutthroats can grow from 24 to 28 inches, weigh 8 pounds, and live to be over 12 years old. Trophy class Cutthroats are often found among sockeye salmon in large lakes - like Eagle Nest - and rivers. Food: Juvenile Cutthroats feed on aquatic insects, small fish, and anything else that happens across the kill zone and can fit in their mouths. Adults hunt minnows and other larger food such as insects.
Where do they hang out? They stay at the bottom of pools, and gear must be fished close to the bottom to ensure a hit. Often cutthroats can be caught with spinners, or spoons fished deep in pools or along lake shorelines where there is plenty of debris. Fly-fishermen use both dry and wet flies fished off inlet streams to land trophy cutthroats. Look for submerged debris along the shore and cast a mudder minnow on a fast sinking line; you'll be glad you did!
