Trout Fishing Tips

In July 2007, anglers were allowed to fish for Gila trout in selected New Mexico waters for the first time since 1966. Several restrictions were imposed including a limited fishing season between July 1 and September 30. Other restrictions include the use of single barbless hooks on artificial flies and lures and anglers must release all Gila trout caught. A valid Gila trout permit is also required.

In February, a proposal to limit anglers to two flies per line was rejected by New Mexico’s State Game Commission.

Some anglers and guides had expressed concerns that fish on the San Juan River and other waters are being injured when lines with multiple flies break and wrap around fish. Broken lines with flies also are potential hazards to waterfowl and other wildlife.

The Commission also voted in favor of adding portions of Mogollon Creek to the list of Gila trout angling opportunities and extending the season from September 30 to October 31. For more information about the latest Gila trout fishing proposals, click here.

For more information about Gila trout fishing in New Mexico, click here.

Labels: Gila Trout, new mexico, new mexico trout fishing

Since 1966, it's been illegal to fish for gila trout due to their threatened status on the Federal Endangered List. These trout are so rare that you'll only find them in a few streams in Arizona and New Mexico.

Efforts have been made over the last several years to increase the number of gila trout, and finally those efforts are paying off!

As of July 1st, you'll be able to fish for gila trout in select waters in southwestern New Mexico, but restrictions do still apply.

• Limited angling will be allowed for Gila trout in Black Canyon Creek from July 1 through September 30 as a Special Trout Water. Fishing will be catch-and-release only with artificial flies or lures and a single barbless hook.
  


• Iron Creek will be open for year-round angling as a Special Trout Water with a two-fish daily limit. Fishing will be with artificial flies or lures and a single barbless hook.


• Regular trout water rules will apply to McKenna Creek and Sacaton Creek, with no tackle or bait restrictions and a bag limit of five fish per day and no more than 10 in possession.


• Everyone who fishes in Black Canyon and Iron Creek must have a Gila Trout Permit along with a valid New Mexico fishing license. Permits are free and will be available June 1 on the "Buy licenses online" feature of the Department website.

For more information about gila trout, click here.

Update: In February 2008, Gila trout fishing opportunities were expanded.

Labels: Gila Trout, new mexico trout fishing

Most people know about rainbow trout, brown and brook trout. But have you ever heard of gila trout? Don't feel alone if you haven't. I never did until I moved to Arizona (and I grew up trout fishing).

As you'd expect, this trout species gets it's name from the river drainage's it once occupied (the Gila River). Gila trout were once found all through the upper headwaters of the Gila River, Agua Fria, San Francisco, and Verde River drainage's in Arizona and New Mexico.

Gila trout are rare - so rare in fact, that they can only be found in two U.S. States (New Mexico and Arizona) and they're currently listed as "threatened" on the Federal Endangered List in 1967.

In 1975, the known distribution of the species consisted of only five relict populations restricted to headwater stream habitats in the upper Gila River drainage in New Mexico (Main Diamond Creek, South Diamond Creek, McKenna Creek, Spruce Creek and Iron Creek).

But in 1996, it was discovered that the Gila trout in McKenna and Iron Creek were actually hybridized trout (i.e., Gila trout had mated with Rainbow trout creating a hybrid). Hybridization is common threat to weaker trout species.

In 1998, Gila trout in the wild numbered about 37,000. Although these numbers are divided up into 14 distinct populations, there is only one place you can find Gila trout in Arizona today - Raspberry Creek near the New Mexico border.

Gila trout were once known to exist in Dude Creek on the Mogollon Rim near Payson, but post-fire flooding contaminated the water thereby destroying the Gila trout population.

Gila trout are easily recognized by the gold/copper coloring on their sides. The dark spots on the sides are irregular in shape and size. Gila trout are closely related to Apache trout.

Gila trout are small, often 7 to 8 inches in length. They are easily recognized by their golden and copper colored sides, and whitish to yellowish tipped fins. Like Cutthroat trout, they too have a "cut throat" mark under their jaws. They spawn between April and late May to early June (depending on water temperatures). Their eggs have an incubation period of 8 - 10 weeks.

They typically require cool, clean mountain streams with gravel beds above 4,500 feet.

Despite improvements in Gila trout populations, fishing for them is still prohibited by law. Most waters in New Mexico containing pure strains of Gila trout have been closed to anglers. And in New Mexico, it's unlawful to posses Gila trout. Same is true for Arizona.

With ongoing recovery efforts, this will hopefully change one day.

For more information about gila trout, click here.

Labels: arizona trout fishing, Gila Trout, new mexico trout fishing