What special fishing regulations apply at Navajo Reservoir?

Navajo Reservoir carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override New Mexico's statewide 2026 rules, covering Kokanee salmon and Lake trout. One of them reads: "CO/NM joint reciprocal compact on the boundary reservoir (CPW + NMDGF); trout 5 / day combined; largemouth bass 5 / day, 14 in min + smallmouth bass 5 / day, 12 in min; kokanee salmon 12 / day (24 in possession) during the fall snagging season Oct 1 – Dec 31, otherwise within the 5 / day combined trout/salmon limit; lake trout 2 / day, 4 in possession; northern pike 5 / day no min." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Navajo Reservoir?

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

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

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

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

2026 regulation year

Navajo Reservoir 2026 — New Mexico Fishing Regulations

New Mexico statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated May 30, 2026

Navajo Reservoir carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of New Mexico's 2026 fishing rules — covering 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

CO/NM joint reciprocal compact on the boundary reservoir (CPW + NMDGF); trout 5 / day combined; largemouth bass 5 / day, 14 in min + smallmouth bass 5 / day, 12 in min; kokanee salmon 12 / day (24 in possession) during the fall snagging season Oct 1 – Dec 31, otherwise within the 5 / day combined trout/salmon limit; lake trout 2 / day, 4 in possession; northern pike 5 / day no min
Source: New Mexico special-water list

Per-species rules on Navajo Reservoir

Kokanee salmon regulations →
Snagging season Oct 1 – Dec 31 (12 / day, 24 in possession); buoyed no-wake areas + shorelines at Pine River + Sims Boat Ramps closed to snagging; CO/NM joint reciprocal compact water; NM state-record kokanee 4 lb 0 oz Navajo Lake 2000
Lake trout regulations →
Lake trout 2 / day, 4 in possession; CO/NM joint reciprocal compact water (CPW + NMDGF)

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 Navajo Reservoir?: Navajo Reservoir carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override New Mexico's statewide 2026 rules, covering Kokanee salmon and Lake trout. One of them reads: "CO/NM joint reciprocal compact on the boundary reservoir (CPW + NMDGF); trout 5 / day combined; largemouth bass 5 / day, 14 in min + smallmouth bass 5 / day, 12 in min; kokanee salmon 12 / day (24 in possession) during the fall snagging season Oct 1 – Dec 31, otherwise within the 5 / day combined trout/salmon limit; lake trout 2 / day, 4 in possession; northern pike 5 / day no min." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Navajo Reservoir?: Yes. Navajo 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 Navajo Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide New Mexico rules.
Do Navajo Reservoir's special rules replace New Mexico's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. New Mexico's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Navajo 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 Navajo Reservoir?: Kokanee salmon and Lake trout have a water-body-specific rule on Navajo 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