What special fishing regulations apply at Gila Wilderness Area?

Gila Wilderness Area carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override New Mexico's statewide 2026 rules, covering Cutthroat trout. One of them reads: "Federal ESA overlay — Gila trout (Oncorhynchus gilae) 0 / day CATCH-AND-RELEASE-ONLY statewide on listed Gila Wilderness Area reaches (federally Threatened ESA — NMDGF + USFWS + AZGFD joint conservation program); limited-access Gila Trout Permit required + season opener Saturday before Memorial Day through October 31 + artificial-fly-and-lure-only + barbless single-hook required on Mogollon Creek + Black Canyon + Whiskey Creek + listed headwater reaches." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Gila Wilderness Area?

Yes. Gila Wilderness Area 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 Gila Wilderness Area; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide New Mexico rules.

Do Gila Wilderness Area's special rules replace New Mexico's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. New Mexico's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Gila Wilderness Area 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 Gila Wilderness Area?

Cutthroat trout has a water-body-specific rule on Gila Wilderness Area, each linking to its full New Mexico regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide New Mexico limits.

2026 regulation year

Gila Wilderness Area 2026 — New Mexico Fishing Regulations

New Mexico statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated May 30, 2026

Gila Wilderness Area carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of New Mexico's 2026 fishing rules — covering Cutthroat trout. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Federal ESA overlay — Gila trout (Oncorhynchus gilae) 0 / day CATCH-AND-RELEASE-ONLY statewide on listed Gila Wilderness Area reaches (federally Threatened ESA — NMDGF + USFWS + AZGFD joint conservation program); limited-access Gila Trout Permit required + season opener Saturday before Memorial Day through October 31 + artificial-fly-and-lure-only + barbless single-hook required on Mogollon Creek + Black Canyon + Whiskey Creek + listed headwater reaches
Source: New Mexico special-water list

Per-species rules on Gila Wilderness Area

Cutthroat trout regulations →
0 / day CATCH-AND-RELEASE-ONLY Gila trout (federally Threatened ESA); limited-access Gila Trout Permit required + Saturday-before-Memorial-Day to October 31 season + artificial-fly-and-lure-only + barbless single-hook required

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

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Gila Wilderness Area?: Gila Wilderness Area carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override New Mexico's statewide 2026 rules, covering Cutthroat trout. One of them reads: "Federal ESA overlay — Gila trout (Oncorhynchus gilae) 0 / day CATCH-AND-RELEASE-ONLY statewide on listed Gila Wilderness Area reaches (federally Threatened ESA — NMDGF + USFWS + AZGFD joint conservation program); limited-access Gila Trout Permit required + season opener Saturday before Memorial Day through October 31 + artificial-fly-and-lure-only + barbless single-hook required on Mogollon Creek + Black Canyon + Whiskey Creek + listed headwater reaches." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Gila Wilderness Area?: Yes. Gila Wilderness Area 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 Gila Wilderness Area; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide New Mexico rules.
Do Gila Wilderness Area's special rules replace New Mexico's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. New Mexico's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Gila Wilderness Area 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 Gila Wilderness Area?: Cutthroat trout has a water-body-specific rule on Gila Wilderness Area, 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