Your Guide to Fishing near Albuquerque

New Mexico is a mecca for fishing enthusiasts boasting year-round conditions at many lakes, streams, and rivers, and lucky for you there’s lots of fishing near Albuquerque. Each area has its own local regulations including catch and release only or how many fish you can take as well as bait and tackle restrictions. Fishing licenses are required in the state and can be purchased online or at your local angler. Guided trips are available from many outfitters and are an ideal way to learn about perfect fishing spots, the regulations, or if you are looking to give fly fishing near Albuquerque a try. 

Sandia Lakes Recreation Area

Just north of Albuquerque is the Sandia Lakes recreation area. Sitting on the Rio Grande Bosque, there are over 58 acres of park to recreate. These three small lakes are great for catching bass, catfish, and rainbow trout. Both warm and cold weather species are present for great year-round fishing conditions. Periodically stocked some anglers have caught up to 8-pound rainbow trout. Current stocking reports can be found through the New Mexico Department of Fish and Game. Sandia Lakes also provides fish cleaning stations, a tackle and bait shop, a playground, and canopy structures for those hot summer days. Sandia Lakes recreation has lots to offer making it one of the best places to fish near Albuquerque.

Tingley Beach

In the heart of the city is Tingley Beach. This area offers fishing for all ages! Young anglers can use baits and lures in the Children’s Pond and keep up to 2 fish. In Central Pond, anyone can fish with baits and lures, and many are able to bring home their allotted amount of rainbow trout and catfish. These waters are stocked from October through April. If you’re looking for fly fishing near Albuquerque, there is an ideal area for fly fishing which is stocked annually and limited to catch and release only. Tingley Pond is designated as a Quality Waters of New Mexico and has a unique recycling program for all fishing line with collection tubes throughout the park.

Elephant Butte Reservoir

If you’re looking to depart from the city and adventure to a larger body of water head a little south to Elephant Butte Reservoir. The largest body of water in New Mexico is known for record breaking walleye, catfish, bass, and stripers. The largest bass caught here weighed 16 pounds! There are many private charters and guides to help you catch those award-winning fish or to simply enjoy a day out on the lake. Elephant Butte has various campgrounds to stay in during your visit and if fishing is not your choice of recreation consider swimming, scuba diving, as well as hiking and mountain biking on over 15 miles of trails.

New Mexico Bass and Trout Challenge

New Mexico has some fun incentives to get out there and fish as well! Every year there are Bass and Trout challenges. With these, you need to catch each species of the fish present in the state, snap some photos, and submit it to the Department of Game and Fish to be showcased on their website. There’s also the chance to catch the largest fish in New Mexico. Earning some major bragging rights, you could catch a fish beating the current record, some of them kept since 1946!

When you’re thinking about other water activities this summer don’t forget that we are located just 2 hours north of Albuquerque. New Mexico River Adventure rafting trips provide unforgettable experiences on the Rio Grande and Rio Chama. When in northern New Mexico be sure to check out other prime fishing and fly-fishing areas. Many of our guides enjoy fishing when they’re not rafting and might even disclose their favorite spot!