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Fishing, Lakes & Water Sports

Yes, New Mexico is in the desert Southwest, but we have a world-class rainbow tail water fishery in the San Juan River and 50+ pound stripers coming out of Elephant Butte Lake. Scuba divers are not landlocked here, either. From diving caves to fabulous lakes, divers can get a fill of their sport. Boating, fishing, diving, swimming and more. Visit the deserts of New Mexico for great water sports.

NM Dept of Game & Fish Fishing Report


  • New Mexico Windsurfing - A fabulous sport that you can do right here in New Mexico. Visit the Web site to find out about upcoming events; sailing sites; weather links; membership opportunities; sport information and contacts.
  • Scuba Diving - There are some great spots in New Mexico for scuba diving. Some of the favorites are
    • Blue Hole in Santa Rosa
    • Lea Lake at Bottomless Lakes State Park
    • Rock Lake near Santa Rosa
    • Navajo Lake State Park near Farmington.
    • For more information about diving in these lakes and underwater caves, contact Forrest Darst, manager of the New Mexico Scuba Center in Albuquerque, NM (505) 271-0633, www.nmscuba.com.
    • Interested in mapping underwater caves? Contact the National Speleological Society/Cave Diving Section at their Web site: www.nsscds.org/home.html.
  • Fly Fishing New Mexico and Colorado - important information on how to fish and what to fish for. This site will have continuous updates and new reports.
  • NEW MEXICO FISHING REPORT - Call 1-800-ASK-FISH - For complete information pertaining to fishing condition, handicapped accessibility and boating conditions.
  • Abiquiu Lake - formed by the Chama River, this lake in Northern New Mexico features fishing, boating, swimming, camping, hiking and wildlife viewing as just some of the fun things to do there. Seven miles northwest of Abiquiu via US Highway 84 at NM 96. (505) 685-4371
  • Bear Canyon Reservoir - fishing and recreation. Near Mimbres, NM via NM 152 and NM 35.
  • Bill Evans Lake - created by the Phelps Dodge Corporation to supply water to its nearby Tyrone copper mine. The Department of Game and Fish keeps it stocked. Camping & fishing. Twenty minutes east of Silver City, NM via U.S. 180.
  • Bluewater Lake State Park - Stocked with trout and catfish, the lake is a popular water sports area, year-round. Grants, NM (505) 876-2391
  • Bobcat Pass Wilderness Adventures - guided fishing adventure. Red River, NM (505) 754-2769
  • Bonito Lake - fishing, camping and hiking from April 1 through November 30. No swimming or boating. North of Ruidoso, NM (505) 336-4886
  • Bottomless Lakes State Park - a big surprise in the middle of the desert. Seven small park lakes, featuring all kinds of water sports, just outside of Roswell, NM (505) 624-6058
  • Brantley Lake State Park - fishing & camping. North of Carlsbad, NM (505) 457-2384
  • Caballo Lake State Park - boating, fishing, swimming, camping. South of Truth or Consequences, NM (505) 743-3942
  • Canjilón Lakes - swimming, camping, hiking and fishing. 16 miles south of Tierra Amarilla, NM on U.S. 84 & 13 miles east off N.M. 554
  • Clayton Lake State Park - fish for trout, catfish and bass. See more than 500 dinosaur footprints dated a million years old. Boating, sailing, camping and more. Clayton, NM (505) 374-8808
  • Cochiti Lake - located on the Rio Grande, has a visitor center with information about area history & culture. Lake has boating, camping & picnic facilities. Observe pueblo regulations. Central New Mexico, between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, off Interstate 25 on NM 16. (505) 465-0307
  • Conchas Lake & Dam - fishing, boating, sailing, water skiing, camping, scuba diving, swimming, hiking and tours of the Conchas Dam, northeast NM (505) 868-2221
  • Eagle Nest Lake - Salmon, trout, marina & boat rentals. Check their annual events schedule for dances, art fests, and more. Camping and restaurants. Eagle Nest, NM
  • Elephant Butte Lake State Park - the largest and most popular lake in NM, includes all kinds of outdoor activities including water sports, fishing tournaments, camping and annual events of many types. Elephant Butte, NM (505) 744-5421
    • Lakeside RV Park - a great place to camp overnight or for the whole winter!! They love snowbirds. Elephant Butte, NM (505) 744-5996
  • El Vado Lake State Park - fishing, boating, water-skiing, and winter cross-country skiing! Major wintering ground for bald eagles and other interesting birds. Located on NM 12, 17 miles southwest of Tierra Amarilla, NM (505) 588-7247
  • Fenton Lake State Park - winter ice fishing, wheelchair accessible fishing ramps, cross-country skiing and camping facilities. Jemez Springs, NM (505) 829-3630
  • Gila Wilderness Fishing Page - The Wilderness Act of 1964 designated certain Forest Service primitive areas as wilderness. These areas vary greatly across the United States from alpine to desert plant and animal communities. Humans are visitors, not residents of these areas, and machines are not allowed. Please respect our wilderness areas.
  • Harry McAdams Park - fishing and visitor center. Hobbs, NM (505) 392-5845
  • Heron Lake State Park - sailing, fishing, cross-country skiing and hiking. Full camping facilities and boat marina and storage. Los Ojos, NM (505) 588-7470
  • Hopewell Lake - trout fishing and primitive camping. Quiet and beautiful. Very short summer season. From Santa Fe, take Hwy 285 north to Tres Piedras and turn west on Hwy 64. The lake is off Hwy 64 at Forest Road 91B. Tres Piedras, NM Call before making the trip (505) 758-8678. The number for the Carson National Forest is (505) 758-6200.
  • Lake Roberts - Plan to catch trout and fat catfish in this beautiful mountain lake. Located in the Gila Wilderness on the Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway.Nearby visit the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Lake Roberts, NM
  • Los Rios Anglers - Fly fishing in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. A complete fishing program. Private and International trips. Taos, NM (800) 748-1707
  • Morgan Lake - This 1,200-acre lake offers windsurfing and fishing in 75 degree water year-round. No swimming. Picnic facilities. For fishing permits, contact the Navajo Tribe. Near Farmington, NM (928) 871-6451
  • Morphy Lake State Park - undeveloped area accessible by foot or high-clearance vehicle. Hidden among a forest of pine trees in the heart of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Stocked with trout. Enjoy ice fishing.Guadalupita, NM (505) 387-2328
  • Navajo Lake State Park - fully developed recreation area! Second largest lake in the state. Lots of warm- and cold-water fish species. Visit the website to learn more. Located 25 miles east of Bloomfield. Navajo Dam, NM (505) 632-2278
  • Oasis Lake State Park - fishing, birding, sand dunes and full camping facilities. Portales, NM (505) 356-5331
  • Quemado Lake - this 131-acre manmade trout lake, is stocked year-round. Various boat ramps, and both primitive and developed campgrounds. Located 20 miles south of Quemado, NM via N.M. 32 and N.M. 103.
  • Ramah Lake - 2.5 miles northeast of Ramah, NM off BIA Road 132.
  • Rio Grande Guide Service - Come to Elephant Butte, New Mexico, catch some fish, lose the stress and enjoy life. Fishing, hunting, boating, jetskiing, waterskiing, camping, hiking, birdwatching, and other sightseeing excursions in and around Elephant Butte Lake. The largest body of water in New Mexico, miles of beautiful coastline and water, created from the daming of the Rio Grande River. No matter how much or how little you would like to do, Rio Grande Guide Service will cover all the details and create the kind of vacation you have in mind. Call or e-mail us with all of your vacation ideas. billyjack@riograndeguideservice.com
    Elephant Butte, NM
    (505) 894-3454 or cell: 740-0150
  • Rizuto's Fly Fishing in the San Juan River - The San Juan River, fished by Rizuto's, originates from the face of the huge Navajo Dam. It is a cold (45ºF), clear and spectacular river swarming with Rainbow, Brown and a few Snake River Cutthroat trout. A 1/4 mile section of the river just below the dam has been set aside as a catch and release area. Lodge, fly fishing, guide service. 1796 Hwy 173, Navajo Dam, NM (505) 632-3893
  • San Gregorio Reservoir - fishing in a quaint lake in San Pedro Parks Wilderness east of Cuba, NM - 9400 elevation - rainbow and cutthroat trout (505) 438-7840
  • Santa Rosa Lake State Park - formed from the Pecos River, historical area, boating, fishing, windsurfing, scuba diving, camping, hiking, bird watching, visitor center. Anglers often catch bass, catfish and walleye. Santa Rosa, NM (505) 472-3110
  • Storrie Lake State Park - boating, fishing and water sports. Visitor center features historical exhibits about the Santa Fe Trail and 19th century Las Vegas. Las Vegas, NM (505) 425-7278
  • Sumner Lake State Park - warm water fishing, boating, water skiing, swimming, camping and facilities. Fort Sumner, NM (505) 355-2541
  • Taylor Streit Fly Fishing - guiding fly fisher's for a quarter century in northern New Mexico, Taylor Streit offers fishing lessons for beginners and advanced levels, and guided tours, by award winning fishermen. Taos, NM (505) 751-1312
  • The Lodge at Chama - trophy class fly fishing, elk hunting, sporting clays, all kinds of winter sports, fine dining and lodging. This is the place for your luxury outdoor experience you will remember forever. Chama, NM (505) 756-2133
  • Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort - Fly fishing, horseback riding, rock climbing, annual motorcycle rallies & arts and craft fairs. Winter skiing. Sipapu Disc Golf Course. Workshops. Daycare. In the Taos Ski Valley, Sipapu, NM (800) 587-2240.
  • Ute Lake - a Canadian River reservoir, offers some of the best walleye fishing in New Mexico. Anglers can also try their luck for bass, crappie, and catfish. Full facilities for camping and water sports. Logan, NM (505) 487-2284
  • Wild Horse / Derringer Ranch - Hiking, camping,hunting, fly fishing, horseback riding, horse packing or goat or llama pack trips, back packing, canoeing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, river floats, and tours of Indian ruins! Quemado, NM (888) 760-8131
  • "Take Me Fishing" - a site that has information about fishing and boating all over the United States, including New Mexico.


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