Everything you need to know to get started fishing in New Mexico

Cassie McClure

For Pulse

It may not be obvious in a mostly bone-dry Las Cruces that New Mexico has a thriving fishing community. But there are plenty of chances to snag a catch in our local area.

Children try their hand at fly casting during a Kids Fishing Clinic in 2016 at Alumni Pond at New Mexico State University.

Both Young Pond at Young Park, 1905 Nevada Ave., and Alumni Pond, located on the New Mexico State University campus, next to the Pan American Center, are stocked with everything from trout to catfish by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

“Just to get out during the week, we have tons of fun at the little lake at NMSU,” said Angel Peña, Rio Bravo Program Director for the Conservation Lands Foundation. “We can pack up a picnic, a dog and head out for the evening — great time, super affordable and best part is that we can sneak in some fishing after work in between dinner and my daughter's homework.”

Peña, who is also a board member of Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks, said not only is fishing affordable, but it's also convenient in the state of New Mexico.

“I am constantly looking for new affordable activities and experiences to have with my girls,” he said. “We try to keep our little weekend adventures within a 2 to 4-hour drive of Las Cruces, so it's usually the Rio Peñasco in the Lincoln National Forest and the Gila River in the Gila National Forest, and of course up and down our mighty Rio Bravo (also known as the Rio Grande); it can be tons of fun.”

While fishing in New Mexico, anglers 12 years and older must possess a valid New Mexico fishing license or game hunting and fishing license. The license year begins April 1 and ends March 31 the following year.

Liz Moreno teaches her daughter Ally Moreno, 7, to cast her line during a free fishing clinic at Alumni Pond in March.

Resident license fees are $25 and $56 for nonresidents. For those who want to give fishing a try but aren't quite ready to commit, one-day fishing passes are $12 and five-day fishing licenses are $24 for both residents and nonresidents. The Junior Annual Fishing license is for ages 12 to 17 and the cost for residents is $5 and $15 for nonresidents. The Senior Annual Fishing license, ages 65 to 69, is $8. An upcoming free fishing day throughout the state will be on Saturday, Sept. 22.

In addition to a fishing license, anglers must purchase a Habitat Management & Access Validation, which is $4. The HMAV is not required for anglers 17 years of age or younger, or in conjunction with any free fishing license or privilege.

Lastly, a Habitat Stamp ($5) is also needed to fish in U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands in New Mexico for anglers 12 years of age and older. This stamp is not required for anglers 11 years of age or younger or in conjunction with any free fishing license or privilege. Funds from the sale of the Habitat Stamp are used for improvement projects, including building fish cover, removing sediment from reservoirs and ponds, monitoring and improving water quality, preventing erosion and restoring lakes and trout streams. The Department of Game and Fish stocks more than 2 million fish each year, including the Rio Grande Cutthroat trout, which is the state fish.

Young Pond at Young Park, 1905 E. Nevada Ave., is a convenient place for Las Crucens to go fishing.

For those going fishing, the Department of Game and Fish recommends the following tips: pay attention to trespassing (whether or not there are posted signs), be aware that fishing lines, hooks and other debris left onshore can become deadly hazards to fish, birds and other wildlife. Also, warm and cold water regulations differ for types of tackle and the amount of fish you can keep or if it’s catch and release.

MORE: Equipment failure to blame for dead fish at Young Park

Kids Fishing Clinic draws young anglers to alumni pond

At Alumni and Young Ponds, fishers can keep two catfish of any size per day, and can have four in your possession. At the same ponds, you can keep five trout of any size per day and can have 10 trout in your possession. Possession limits mean that it would be illegal to keep five trout today if a fisher already has six at home in the freezer.

“I keep it fresh and fun for my daughters, so I try something new every time," Peña said. "If it is a new fly, bait or bend of the river, it keeps it new and exciting for them while not breaking the bank. It also keeps us looking for the ever-elusive ‘big one.’ Also, make sure and double tie your fly, we have lost so many good ones the hard way.”

For information about fishing in New Mexico and licenses and permits, call 1-888-248-6866 or visit wildlife.state.nm.us.

Cassie McClure is a freelance writer and may be reached at cassiemcclure@gmail.com.