What special fishing regulations apply at San Juan River Quality Waters?

San Juan River Quality Waters carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override New Mexico's statewide 2026 rules, covering Rainbow trout and Brown trout. One of them reads: "NMDGF Special Trout Waters Quality Waters designation — 5,000+ fish per mile of which 80 percent are 14 in or larger; trout 2 / day with 20 in min TROPHY MANAGEMENT + artificial-fly-and-lure only + barbless single-hook required; year-round Mysis-shrimp + tiny-midge + tiny-scud + San Juan Worm + leech tailwater fishery." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish San Juan River Quality Waters?

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

Do San Juan River Quality Waters' special rules replace New Mexico's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. New Mexico's statewide 2026 regulations apply on San Juan River Quality Waters 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 San Juan River Quality Waters?

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

2026 regulation year

San Juan River Quality Waters 2026 — New Mexico Fishing Regulations

New Mexico statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated May 30, 2026

San Juan River Quality Waters carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of New Mexico's 2026 fishing rules — covering Rainbow trout, Brown 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 Quality Waters designation — 5,000+ fish per mile of which 80 percent are 14 in or larger; trout 2 / day with 20 in min TROPHY MANAGEMENT + artificial-fly-and-lure only + barbless single-hook required; year-round Mysis-shrimp + tiny-midge + tiny-scud + San Juan Worm + leech tailwater fishery
Source: New Mexico special-water list

Per-species rules on San Juan River Quality Waters

Rainbow trout regulations →
Trout 2 / day with 20 in min TROPHY MANAGEMENT + artificial-fly-and-lure only + barbless single-hook required; country's premier wild rainbow trout tailwater 5,000+ fish per mile
Brown trout regulations →
Trout 2 / day with 20 in min TROPHY MANAGEMENT + artificial-fly-and-lure only + barbless single-hook required; wild brown trout to 8-12 lb alongside dominant rainbow fishery

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 San Juan River Quality Waters?: San Juan River Quality Waters carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override New Mexico's statewide 2026 rules, covering Rainbow trout and Brown trout. One of them reads: "NMDGF Special Trout Waters Quality Waters designation — 5,000+ fish per mile of which 80 percent are 14 in or larger; trout 2 / day with 20 in min TROPHY MANAGEMENT + artificial-fly-and-lure only + barbless single-hook required; year-round Mysis-shrimp + tiny-midge + tiny-scud + San Juan Worm + leech tailwater fishery." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish San Juan River Quality Waters?: Yes. San Juan River Quality Waters 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 San Juan River Quality Waters; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide New Mexico rules.
Do San Juan River Quality Waters' special rules replace New Mexico's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. New Mexico's statewide 2026 regulations apply on San Juan River Quality Waters 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 San Juan River Quality Waters?: Rainbow trout and Brown trout have a water-body-specific rule on San Juan River Quality Waters, 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