Each year, New Mexico’s anglers purchase more than 265,000 fishing licenses and spend more than 4 million days in pursuit of the various sport fish that are plentiful statewide. Fishing contributes an estimated $343 million to New Mexico’s economy annually. It is the goal of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to assure that anglers have the most satisfying fishing experience possible. The New Mexico Fishing Rules & Information proclamation is available at Red River stores that sell fishing licenses and equipment and call also be found at the Chamber of Commerce office in Town Hall.
Got To Have A License?
• The fishing license year is April 1, 2000 to March 31, 2001. Annual licenses expire March 31. New annual licenses are needed each April 1.
• All persons 12 years or older, while fishing in New Mexico, must have on their person a current New Mexico fishing license. (Exceptions: Indian reservations and private Class A lakes.)
• 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 elsewhere 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.
• A Wildlife Habitat Stamp is required by all anglers over age 12 to fish on all U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in New Mexico, in addition to the appropriate license.
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 U.S. BLM lands. Wildlife Habitat funds are used for such projects as restoration of trout streams.
Where Can I Catch Fish?
• The Upper Valley and Red River through town are heavily stocked by the Red River Chamber of Commerce, thanks to your tourism dollars. The NM Department of Fish & Game also stocks the rivers and lakes in the area.
• Upper Red River - Fishing in the beaver ponds above the Upper Valley is excellent for brooks and stocked rainbows. Between town and the Upper Valley is a 1-mile section designated Special Trout Waters.
• Red River - Fishing through town is excellent, with some of the best angling under bridges and around bushes. All fishing is open unless marked otherwise. Below town is good also, especially below Fawn Lakes.
• Lower Red River - Approximately 2 miles west of Questa is the Red River Fish Hatchery. The Red River runs beside it; you can fish upstream or down from the parking lot.
• Rio Grande -You can reach the Rio Grande from the John Dunn Bridge, located north of Arroyo Hondo for from the Wild Rivers area, just north of Questa, where there are numerous trails leading down to the water. The hikes may sometimes be steep but the scenery is worth the trip. Carry plenty of drinking water. The Rio Grande is full of rainbows, browns, cutbows and pike. Some of the best fly fishing is in the fall when the flow and water temperatures are best.
• Cimarron River - Although small in appearance, the Cimarron, located east of Red River, is a good fishing spot, particularly in the Special Trout Waters in the upper canyon. There are lots of trees and brush to cast around, so be careful and patient.
(Information courtesy of Randy Swanson, Timberline Lodge)
Cold Water Game Fish In Red River Area
• Rainbow Trout
• Brook Trout
• German Brown Trout
• Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout (native-State Fish)
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