Taos, New Mexico, and nearby communities have many waters that host four of the five trout species: brown, rainbow, Rio Grande cutthroat, and brook trout for the New Mexico Trout Challenge.

This is my account of attempting the New Mexico Trout Challenge. Where to fish,camp and the waters that hold the different species of trout needed for the challenge.

It was late October when I first set out to tackle the New Mexico Trout Challenge. I had just finished fishing at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Silver Creek, and—being in the same general vicinity—I began looking into statewide fishing challenges that might keep the season interesting. Doing my due diligence, I scanned various websites, watched YouTube videos, and consulted Trout Routes for tips and maps. I hadn’t realized that the Taos area, tucked beneath the Sangre de Cristo mountains and threaded by Rio Grande drainages, reportedly held four of the five trout species required for the challenge. After reading that blog, I put together a short video of fishing the Upper Rio Hondo, Rio Grand the Truchas area.capturing the cold light, the hiss of the stream, and a few hopeful casts before moving on to the next water.

Brook Trout — These “trout” are actually a char and demand specific environmental conditions: consistently cold, very clean water. To find brook trout in New Mexico you’ve got to head to the high country in the Sangre de Cristos above Questa. Cabresto Lake and the upper reaches of Cabresto Creek offer your best opportunity to locate and catch them. The lake itself sits up a rough dirt road, and the creek spilling out of Cabresto Lake is extremely difficult to access — it shouldn’t be attempted unless you’re in good physical shape. Fortunately, the inlet to Cabresto Lake produces a reliable bite for brook trout. There’s a campground with toilet facilities at Cabresto Lake, but spots are first-come, first-served. The route down to the lake is very steep unless you hike up to the inlet. A float tube or belly boat is highly recommended so you can work other parts of the lake that are nearly unreachable by foot. I used a fly rod, but a spinning setup with 6‑pound test and classic trout lures will work perfectly well too. Watch my YouTube video for a more in-depth look at fishing Cabresto Lake and its creeks.

Brown Trout — the most widely distributed trout species around Taos. You’ll find them from lower Cebolla Creek and the Red River to long stretches of the Río Grande and the many tributaries that feed it. The Río Grande is renowned for its large browns, though reaching the upper sections can be physically demanding and rugged. Easier access exists at other put-ins, but expect plenty of anglers in the water and along the banks. For more solitude, I fished the Río Hondo, where the stretch near Taos Ski Valley is particularly convenient since the river runs right alongside the road to the resort; I found plenty of browns there and the occasional Rio Grande cutthroat (never landed one, so it didn’t count for the challenge). Next I fished around John Dunn Bridge where the Río Hondo converges with the Río Grande — an area that’s fairly easy to reach with ample parking on both sides of the river, though it’s much more crowded. Some creeks and rivers in the region have no limit on brown trout, but always check the latest regulations on the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website for specifics. Deep pools and runs hold both browns and rainbows; steamers or Euro nymphing are very productive for the fly angler, while trout lures such as spinners and spoons work well for lure fishers. There are a few local makers crafting lures tailored to these waters, including Creek Life Lure Company and Thomas Custom Lures.

As for camping, I stayed at Wild Rivers Recreation Area, and it was a truly enjoyable stay. The campground provides clean restrooms, sturdy covered picnic tables, dependable campfire rings, and generous spacing between sites for added privacy. The view of the Sangre de Cristos is spectacular, and it's common to spot big horn sheep roaming the area. This campground also offers easy access points down to both the Rio Grande and the Red River. Camping along the Rio Hondo includes a mix of established sites and dispersed spots; keep in mind the road runs right along the creek, so you should expect some traffic noise. Looking for off-grid options? I often turn to the Dyrt app for locating remote campsites and user reviews.

Rainbow Trout — Found widely around Taos, from the Red River and Rio Grande to the Rio Hondo and many smaller streams threading through the Carson National Forest. On the Red River or Rio Grande target riffles and deep-pocket water where currents oxygenate and keep temperatures cool. In the smaller creeks a canopy of willows and pines creates excellent trout habitat and provides shade that helps keep water temperatures down through summer and into fall. For fly fishing, reliable choices include caddis (cinnamon and olive), nymphs, woolly buggers (olive and black) and San Juan worms. A 9-foot leader with 5X–7X tippet on a 4-weight rod makes a versatile, effective rig for rainbows. For camping and overlanding, the area offers plenty of dispersed sites and paid campgrounds; check your preferred campground apps or guides for spots close to the water.

Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout (RGCT) — one of the two native trout species featured on the Western Native Trout Challenge in New Mexico. The Rio Grande Cutthroat inhabits the drainages of the Rio Grande, and the Taos region in particular gives anglers among the best odds of landing one. Good places to consider include stretches of the main Rio Grande, the Red River and numerous smaller tributary streams. Target sections of water with fast, oxygen-rich ripples and a protective tree canopy that helps keep temperatures cool. Many high-country streams near Truchas and Questa hold healthy Rio Grande populations, though many of those fisheries are protected and fish must be released. A typical trout fly-rod setup or a light spinning outfit spooled with about 6-pound test is perfectly suited for pursuing RGCT.