Enjoy Ruidoso, New Mexico Fishing
Fishing Regulations for State and Federal Waters:
A current New Mexico fishing license is required of all persons age
12 years or older who fish in New Mexico. Fishing licenses are
issued from the period of April 1 through March 31 of each year.
Fishing licenses are not required to fish on the Mescalero Apache
Indian Reservation, however, daily permits must be purchased.
New Mexico issues one day, five day, and annual licenses.
In the Ruidoso area fishing licenses may be purchased at Wal-Mart
and Western Auto.
Fishing Season: Year around (except Bonito Lake which is April 1
through November 30).
Where to go fishing:
The Ruidoso area offers some great fishing opportunities year
around. Only at Bonito Lake is the fishing season restricted to
eight months of the year. Most waters are stocked with rainbow trout
to supplement the native population of brown trout. Fishing
equipment is available from Western Auto on Mechem Drive, Wal-Mart
across from the race track and Fly’s Etc in midtown on Sudderth
Drive. Find below a listing of all the different fishing locations
in the area. Remember to always practice catch and release unless
you are really catching your next meal. The bag limit is three fish
on the river and six fish at the lakes. Consider using barbless
hooks as they allow minimal damage to fish, allowing the populations
to grow bigger for the next angler.
Bonito Lake: April 1st opens the fishing season here each year and
it continues through November 30. This beautiful lake surrounded by
forest and mountains is actually a reservoir for the City of
Alamogordo, so there are no boats allowed. Drive north on Hwy. 48 to
the Hwy. 37 turn off at Angus. Take Hwy. 37 towards Nogal for about
1 mile and look for the left turn to Bonito Lake. There are some
beautiful picnic spots along the way.
Bonito Creek: This creek meanders down from high mountain terrain
feeding Bonito Lake. Beyond the Bonito Lake dam it continues on to
Fort Stanton. It can have light amounts of water depending upon the
time of year, but the deeper holes support a healthy stock of
rainbow and brook trout.
Carrizo Creek: From the dam at Lake Mescalero the Carrizo Creek runs
through a two mile canyon to join the Rio Ruidoso near Funtrackers
and Pizza Hut on Sudderth Drive. The creek is not stocked, but
boasts a good supply of native brown trout. Please handle the fish
with care and practice catch and release here.
Eagle Creek: This mountain stream runs parallel to hwy. 532, also
known as “ski run road’. These waters are not stocked, but contain a
good number of brown and brook trout.
Grindstone Reservoir: This lake is less than 2 miles from midtown
and fishing is allowed all year long. The state Fish & Game
Department stocks trout here on a regular basis. You may fish fro
sunrise to sunset and even use a non motorized boat if you like.
Boating is allowed between April 1 and October 31 with a permit
obtained fro the Ruidoso Parks and Recreation Office just down the
road from the dam. You might get lucky here and catch one of the big
ones over 5 pounds in weight and 30 inches in length.
Fishing on the Mescalero Apache Reservation
A state fishing license is not needed, but daily permits may be
purchased on location.
Mescalero Lake: Gaze at beautiful Sierra Blanca Peak from the shores
of this lake at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino. The
lake is stocked with trout and may be fished daily from sunrise to
sunset. Purchase your permit for $18 at the swimming pool at the Inn
or at the boat docks in the summer months.
Eagle Lakes: Drive on Hwy. 532 (ski run road) about 31/2 miles and
look for the turn off to the left. This campground offers two lakes
that are stocked and open from late May through mid September. Daily
permits may be purchased at the entrance. Call 505-336-4668 for
information.
Rio Ruidoso: Before the Rio Ruidoso winds through Upper Canyon, it
descends from the Reservation at the end of Main Road. It is open in
the summer months and is stocked with rainbow trout. Permits may be
purchased at the Reservation line on Main Road.
Silver Lake: This peaceful lake is about halfway from Hwy. 70 to
Cloudcroft on Hwy. 244. It is open in the summer months and well
stocked with trout. Permits may be purchased at the office on site.
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