Hike-in Fishing in Northern NM?

efnm · May 18, 2017

Hi all,

I grew up in Cruces and don't know much about the northern part of the state. Living in Socorro now, it's that much easier to get up and explore some places with my young boys. Can anyone recommend a fishing spot that we could hike in to and camp at? Ideally I'm looking at some .5-3 miles but am open to slightly longer distances.

Thanks!

TerynItUp · May 18, 2017

efnm,
This hike might be a little closer to 4-5 miles but from the trailhead to San Gregorio lake you can get some pretty light hiking into the Rio de las Vacas up in the San Pedro Wilderness. The lake is only about a mile from the trailhead but I would keep on going past it and hit the creek. Lots of fun with native RGC's (Rio Grande Cuts). They tend to eat just about any dry fly you throw at em. You gotta be sneaky though, those fish are pretty dang shy.

Hunt Hard. Shoot Straight. Kill Clean. Apologize to No One.

mozey · May 18, 2017

LAST EDITED ON May-18-17 AT 01:46PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON May-18-17 AT 11:20?AM (MST)

Teryn is right San Gregorio is a good one. If you're up for packing in an inflatable raft or kayak, you can catch some pretty decent sized rainbows trolling back and forth in front of the dam.

Not New Mexico, but just across the state line: I used to hike my daughters into Opal Lake back when they were about 10 years old:

37.198649, -106.751230

A two-day NR fishing license back then was pretty cheap and we caught a bunch of fish out of the lake itself and the stream below it. Seemed like it was only about a mile in, but that was at least 15 years ago.

Now you're making me nostalgic for those days and I'm thinking I need to talk my daughters and their husbands into doing it again...

ixsolracxi · May 18, 2017

I will have be the 3rd to nominate the San Pedro Parks/Las Vacas area...I spent a lot of time up there working as a summer intern with G&F on the Rio Grande Cutthroat Project to create a brood stock at Seven Springs Hatchery...beautiful country, probably see some elk possibly a bear and great fishing...the hiking isn't all that bad either because once you're on top it's pretty flat...back in those days i would haul electroshocking equipment and/or 5 gallon buckets of fertilized eggs to and from the trailhead (we were about 7 miles in)...the trail was really good back then, i could even easily follow it at night...finally, after fishing the Las Vacas you can take the kids to the Seven Springs Hatchery Brood Pond where they will have a chance at catching some nice fish!!!

muleybeast · May 18, 2017

Those are all great people giving you great advice. That's why I love the MM forum. There are lots of great people in New Mexico and we are all super helpful. Reading those posts made my day. Hope it works out for you.

Since your in Socorro why don't you hit the Willow Creek streams and catch some native Gila trout. We caught some real nice ones last summer.

earlyriser · May 18, 2017

They are not pack-in type fisheries, but the views and fishing on the VC and the Rio Cebolla are great. Both offer camping near by.

efnm · May 19, 2017

I greatly appreciate the pointers on places up north and on the Gila. I stomped around the Gila a lot as a boy scout and am going back this summer to join a buddy in recreating some of our 50-milers. This time I'm bringing my fishing rod and a much better backpack, pad, and tent than I had in the early 90s!

At this point I may plan the VC as a start to the exploration, maybe as soon as in 2 weeks.

BUGLEnmIN · May 20, 2017

Hey man , go north of Pecos to iron gate camp ground and hike into Mora flats, best fishing ever!!

Also if yo find cowels ponds and park there ,you an hike up to Kathryn lake and Johnson lake!!! Most breath taking country I've ever been in and I've been on a ton of wilderness.