NM Trout Fishing

Fishing access is restricted to foot traffic; motor vehicles are not permitted on the ice at this time. Ice thickness measurements taken by the New Mexico State Parks Division have met requirements for walk-in access to the lake according to criteria established by the Department of Game and Fish and State Parks.

The State Parks Division has a formal procedure for checking the depth of ice. The ice thickness is measured starting at the shoreline and progressing out over the lake. When the ice is of a thickness and quality that is considered safe, the lake is opened to ice fishing. Park staff continually makes visual checks of the ice looking for cracks, water on top of the ice and open water, all signs that the ice may not be safe for anglers.

For more information and current updates about ice conditions, please contact Eagle Nest Lake State Park, (575) 377-1594. For questions about fishing in northeastern New Mexico, call the Department of Game and Fish in Raton, (575) 445-2311. Information also is available on the Department of Game and Fish or New Mexico State Parks respective websites, www.wildlife.state.nm.us and www.nmparks.com.

The Cimarron is starting to fish well with a pre-runoff inflow from the tributaries and should improve weekly thru June. We are still using Ute Creek Ranch and the Cimarroncita.

The Red hasn’t really had it’s usual good Spring but is getting there and the bestfishing will probably be post runoff this year. The caddis and mayfly hatches have begun but the deluge from the snowpack is due later this month.

We’ll be fishing the Culebra and the Conejos this year as usual and both have plenty of water.   

The Valle Vidal opens July 1 and we have some new private water on the lower Costilla which will start to fish after the dam opens on April 15. There are also some new lodging opportunities in Amalia for those who don’t relish the long ride back to Taos or Red River.

Our Spring Pike season was a bust this year with ice and high flows on the Rio Grande but last Fall we started really exploring the Ute Mt. area by the Colorado border and this Fall it should be great in October and November when flows on the Rio stablize. Rita has a new 13′ raft with a fishing frame and we will be using that in the Fall on the Grande. She will be here most of the summer with a few trips to Montana in the Spring and Fall.. You can check out some of her adventures at rioroseflyfishing.com.

We hope you had a happy and healthy winter and hope to see you streamside this season. 

Ed and Rita Adams