What special fishing regulations apply at Red River?

Red River carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override New Mexico's statewide 2026 rules, covering Brown trout and Cutthroat trout. One of them reads: "NMDGF Special Trout Waters — trout 5 / day combined; wild brown + rainbow + cutbow tailwater fishery; Red River State Fish Hatchery Rio Grande cutthroat broodstock source." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Red River?

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

Do Red River's special rules replace New Mexico's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. New Mexico's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Red River 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 Red River?

Brown trout and Cutthroat trout have a water-body-specific rule on Red River, each linking to its full New Mexico regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide New Mexico limits.

2026 regulation year

Red River 2026 — New Mexico Fishing Regulations

New Mexico statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated May 30, 2026

Red River carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of New Mexico's 2026 fishing rules — covering Brown trout, 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

NMDGF Special Trout Waters — trout 5 / day combined; wild brown + rainbow + cutbow tailwater fishery; Red River State Fish Hatchery Rio Grande cutthroat broodstock source
Source: New Mexico special-water list

Per-species rules on Red River

Brown trout regulations →
Trout 5 / day combined; wild brown + rainbow + cutbow tailwater fishery
Cutthroat trout regulations →
Trout 5 / day combined on harvest waters; Rio Grande cutthroat 0 / day catch-and-release-only on listed conservation reaches

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 Red River?: Red River carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override New Mexico's statewide 2026 rules, covering Brown trout and Cutthroat trout. One of them reads: "NMDGF Special Trout Waters — trout 5 / day combined; wild brown + rainbow + cutbow tailwater fishery; Red River State Fish Hatchery Rio Grande cutthroat broodstock source." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Red River?: Yes. Red River 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 Red River; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide New Mexico rules.
Do Red River's special rules replace New Mexico's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. New Mexico's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Red River 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 Red River?: Brown trout and Cutthroat trout have a water-body-specific rule on Red River, 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