What special fishing regulations apply at Elephant Butte Reservoir?

Elephant Butte Reservoir carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override New Mexico's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass, Walleye, and Striped bass. One of them reads: "Walleye 5 / day, no minimum length; striped bass 1 / day, 2 in possession, no minimum (landlocked naturally-reproducing Rio Grande striper fishery since the 1980s introduction; NM state-record striped bass 54 lb 8 oz Elephant Butte 1992 Jim Secor); white bass 25 / day combined no min; largemouth bass 5 / day, 14 in min + smallmouth bass 5 / day, 12 in min; channel catfish 15 / day combined no min; crappie 30 / day combined no min." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Elephant Butte Reservoir?

Yes. Elephant Butte Reservoir is in New Mexico, so a valid New Mexico fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Elephant Butte Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide New Mexico rules.

Do Elephant Butte Reservoir's special rules replace New Mexico's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. New Mexico's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Elephant Butte Reservoir by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Elephant Butte Reservoir?

Largemouth bass, Walleye, and Striped bass have a water-body-specific rule on Elephant Butte Reservoir, each linking to its full New Mexico regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide New Mexico limits.

2026 regulation year

Elephant Butte Reservoir 2026 — New Mexico Fishing Regulations

New Mexico statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated May 30, 2026

Elephant Butte Reservoir carries 4 special-regulation overlays on top of New Mexico's 2026 fishing rules — covering Largemouth bass, Walleye, Striped bass. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Walleye 5 / day, no minimum length; striped bass 1 / day, 2 in possession, no minimum (landlocked naturally-reproducing Rio Grande striper fishery since the 1980s introduction; NM state-record striped bass 54 lb 8 oz Elephant Butte 1992 Jim Secor); white bass 25 / day combined no min; largemouth bass 5 / day, 14 in min + smallmouth bass 5 / day, 12 in min; channel catfish 15 / day combined no min; crappie 30 / day combined no min
Source: New Mexico special-water list

Per-species rules on Elephant Butte Reservoir

Largemouth bass regulations →
5 / day, 14 in min (statewide); 4-7 lb fish routinely with 10+ lb fish landed annually; flooded-mesquite + flooded-tamarisk shoreline habitat
Walleye regulations →
5 / day, no minimum length (statewide); Rio Grande walleye alongside dominant striped bass + white bass + largemouth populations
Striped bass regulations →
Striped bass 1 / day, 2 in possession, no minimum; NM's premier landlocked naturally-reproducing striper fishery; NM state-record 54 lb 8 oz Elephant Butte 1992 (Jim Secor)

Official source

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) publishes the authoritative 2026 New Mexico fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official New Mexico fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish's emergency-order feed — check it before any New Mexico trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in New Mexico

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Elephant Butte Reservoir?: Elephant Butte Reservoir carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override New Mexico's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass, Walleye, and Striped bass. One of them reads: "Walleye 5 / day, no minimum length; striped bass 1 / day, 2 in possession, no minimum (landlocked naturally-reproducing Rio Grande striper fishery since the 1980s introduction; NM state-record striped bass 54 lb 8 oz Elephant Butte 1992 Jim Secor); white bass 25 / day combined no min; largemouth bass 5 / day, 14 in min + smallmouth bass 5 / day, 12 in min; channel catfish 15 / day combined no min; crappie 30 / day combined no min." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Elephant Butte Reservoir?: Yes. Elephant Butte Reservoir is in New Mexico, so a valid New Mexico fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Elephant Butte Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide New Mexico rules.
Do Elephant Butte Reservoir's special rules replace New Mexico's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. New Mexico's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Elephant Butte Reservoir by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Elephant Butte Reservoir?: Largemouth bass, Walleye, and Striped bass have a water-body-specific rule on Elephant Butte Reservoir, each linking to its full New Mexico regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide New Mexico limits.

← Back to New Mexico regulations overview