Trout Fishing in New Mexico

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Lakes in New Mexico

Caballo Lake, Eagle Nest Lake, El Vado Lake and Heron Lake are the larger lakes in the state with a healthy population of trout. In addition, some smaller lakes and the rivers flow into and out of these trout lakes may also contain trout. Visit the New Mexico Game & Fish website for information regarding trout stocking in New Mexico.

The New Mexico state records were caught from:
Brook trout - Hidden Lake
Brown Trout - the Chama River
Cutthroat trout - Latir Lakes
Lake trout - Heron Lake
Rainbow trout - Santa Cruz Lake

Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis

Brown Trout
Salmo trutta

Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush

Cutthroat Trout
Salmo clarki

Organizations & Resources

Cutthroat Trout Conservation
DMOZ Trout Section

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The states list to the left can direct you to information about trout fishing in other states.

All About Fishing for Trout in New Mexico.

42 lbs - 2 oz

31 lbs - 12 oz

52 - 68 Degrees

Prefers generally clear flowing waters with turbulence for oxygenation over gravel, rock or sandy bottoms.

14 lbs - 8 oz

5 lbs - 0 oz

52 to 64 Degrees

Prefers clear cold water with moderate current over gravel, rocks or sand.

41 lbs - 7 oz

20 lbs - 4 oz

56 - 64 Degrees

Prefers slightly stained cool water with minimum current over rock or sandy bottoms with heavy cover.

72 lbs - 0 oz

31 lbs - 6 oz

52 - 68 Degrees

Prefers clear to slightly stained water with significant depths and sandy bottoms in the shallows.

41 lbs - 0 oz

10 lbs - 2 oz

68 - 72 Degrees

Prefers slightly stained to murky water with little or no current.