What special fishing regulations apply at Heron Reservoir?

Heron Reservoir carries 5 special-regulation overlays that override New Mexico's statewide 2026 rules, covering Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Kokanee salmon, and Lake trout. One of them reads: "Kokanee salmon 12 / day (24 in possession) during the fall snagging season Nov 11 – Dec 31 (possession closed Oct 1 – Nov 10 to protect the spawning run), otherwise within the 5 / day combined trout/salmon limit; lake trout 2 / day, 4 in possession (NM state-record lake trout 31 lb 6 oz Heron 1999 Paul Casias); NM state-record brown trout 20 lb 4 oz Heron Reservoir 1946 (still standing); trout 5 / day combined." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Heron Reservoir?

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

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

Only where they conflict. New Mexico's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Heron 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 Heron Reservoir?

Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Kokanee salmon, and Lake trout have a water-body-specific rule on Heron Reservoir, each linking to its full New Mexico regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide New Mexico limits.

2026 regulation year

Heron Reservoir 2026 — New Mexico Fishing Regulations

New Mexico statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated May 30, 2026

Heron Reservoir carries 5 special-regulation overlays on top of New Mexico's 2026 fishing rules — covering Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Kokanee salmon, Lake 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

Kokanee salmon 12 / day (24 in possession) during the fall snagging season Nov 11 – Dec 31 (possession closed Oct 1 – Nov 10 to protect the spawning run), otherwise within the 5 / day combined trout/salmon limit; lake trout 2 / day, 4 in possession (NM state-record lake trout 31 lb 6 oz Heron 1999 Paul Casias); NM state-record brown trout 20 lb 4 oz Heron Reservoir 1946 (still standing); trout 5 / day combined
Source: New Mexico special-water list

Per-species rules on Heron Reservoir

Rainbow trout regulations →
Trout 5 / day combined; kokanee 12 / day (24 in possession) during the fall snagging season, otherwise within the 5 / day combined trout/salmon limit; lake trout 2 / day, 4 in possession; NM state-record brown trout 20 lb 4 oz Heron 1946 (still standing)
Brown trout regulations →
Trout 5 / day combined; NM state-record brown trout 20 lb 4 oz Heron 1946 (still standing — one of largest brown trout state records in country)
Kokanee salmon regulations →
Kokanee possession closed Oct 1 – Nov 10 to protect the spawning run; snagging season Nov 11 – Dec 31 (12 / day, 24 in possession); NM's premier kokanee water
Lake trout regulations →
Lake trout 2 / day, 4 in possession; NM's premier mackinaw fishery; NM state-record lake trout 31 lb 6 oz Heron 1999 (Paul Casias)

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 Heron Reservoir?: Heron Reservoir carries 5 special-regulation overlays that override New Mexico's statewide 2026 rules, covering Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Kokanee salmon, and Lake trout. One of them reads: "Kokanee salmon 12 / day (24 in possession) during the fall snagging season Nov 11 – Dec 31 (possession closed Oct 1 – Nov 10 to protect the spawning run), otherwise within the 5 / day combined trout/salmon limit; lake trout 2 / day, 4 in possession (NM state-record lake trout 31 lb 6 oz Heron 1999 Paul Casias); NM state-record brown trout 20 lb 4 oz Heron Reservoir 1946 (still standing); trout 5 / day combined." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Heron Reservoir?: Yes. Heron 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 Heron Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide New Mexico rules.
Do Heron Reservoir's special rules replace New Mexico's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. New Mexico's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Heron 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 Heron Reservoir?: Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Kokanee salmon, and Lake trout have a water-body-specific rule on Heron 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