Northwest New Mexico

Northwest New Mexico is home to one destination: the San Juan River Quality Water below Navajo Dam. This 3.75-mile stretch is consistently ranked among the top tailwaters in North America, producing rainbow and brown trout averaging 16–20 inches with an estimated 15,000+ trout per mile. It is the crown jewel of New Mexico fly fishing.

Key Fisheries

• San Juan River (Quality Water): The designated Quality Water section runs from Navajo Dam downstream 3.75 miles to the Crusher Hole Day Use Area. Special regulations apply: artificial flies/lures only, single barbless hook, 2-fish daily bag limit. The fishery is managed as a Green Chile Special Trout Water.

Hatches

Midges dominate year-round and are the bread-and-butter of San Juan fishing. BWO hatches occur in spring and fall. Tricos appear in summer mornings. The San Juan Worm is productive in all seasons.