Fishing Regulations in New Mexico
Last updated: 2025-01-01
Regulations shown are approximate and may be outdated. Always check the official New Mexico fish and game agency for current regulations.
Visit Official AgencyFishing License
New Mexico requires a fishing license for anglers 12 and older. Resident and non-resident annual licenses are available, along with 1-day and 5-day options for visitors. A habitat management and access validation stamp is included with license purchase.
Get Your LicenseSpecies Regulations
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 5 per day | 14 inches minimum (varies by water) | Year-round | Regulations vary by specific water body. Always check current NMDGF regulations before fishing. |
| smallmouth-bass | 5 per day (combined with largemouth) | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| rainbow-trout | 5 per day | No minimum (varies by water) | Year-round | Special regulations on quality and trophy waters such as the San Juan River. |
| brown-trout | 5 per day (combined with trout) | No minimum (varies by water) | Year-round | |
| walleye | 5 per day | 15 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| channel-catfish | 15 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| crappie | 20 per day | No minimum | Year-round |
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 14 inches minimum (varies by water)
Season: Year-round
Notes: Regulations vary by specific water body. Always check current NMDGF regulations before fishing.
Bag Limit: 5 per day (combined with largemouth)
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: No minimum (varies by water)
Season: Year-round
Notes: Special regulations on quality and trophy waters such as the San Juan River.
Bag Limit: 5 per day (combined with trout)
Size Limit: No minimum (varies by water)
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 15 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 15 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 20 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Top Fishing Waters
Elephant Butte Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, smallmouth-bass, walleye, channel-catfish, crappie, bluegill
Navajo Lake
reservoirSpecies: rainbow-trout, brown-trout, smallmouth-bass, largemouth-bass, channel-catfish
Rio Grande
riverSpecies: rainbow-trout, brown-trout, channel-catfish, carp
Conchas Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, walleye, crappie, channel-catfish, bluegill
San Juan River
riverSpecies: rainbow-trout, brown-trout
Heron Lake
reservoirSpecies: rainbow-trout, brown-trout, walleye, crappie
State Records
| Species | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 11 lbs 13 oz | 1995 | Bill Evans Lake |
| smallmouth-bass | 6 lbs 4 oz | 2006 | Ute Lake |
| rainbow-trout | 18 lbs 14 oz | 2008 | San Juan River |
| brown-trout | 20 lbs 6 oz | 1946 | Rio de los Pinos |
| walleye | 16 lbs 9 oz | 1989 | Clayton Lake |
| channel-catfish | 36 lbs 0 oz | 1985 | Elephant Butte Lake |
| crappie | 3 lbs 10 oz | 1988 | Elephant Butte Lake |