Fall brings a fishing season unlike any other in northern New Mexico, and it is now under way at Eagle Nest Lake. The state's Special Kokanee Salmon Snagging Season opened October 1 and runs through December 31 at Eagle Nest Lake, according to the New Mexico Department of Wildlife's 2026-2027 Fishing Rules and Information booklet.
Kokanee are landlocked sockeye salmon. They are not native to the Southwest, but they do well in a few of New Mexico's deeper, colder, plankton-rich lakes. In late fall, large schools of four-year-old kokanee gather to spawn, and that gathering is what makes this short season possible.
Snagging means taking a fish by hooking the body rather than the mouth. Kokanee are the only fish that may be legally snagged in New Mexico, and only during this special season. If another species is caught by snagging, it must be returned to the water immediately. That single rule is the heart of the season, and anglers should know it before making the first cast.
During the snagging season, the limit for kokanee salmon is 12 per day and 24 in possession. Anglers still need a valid New Mexico fishing license and the required stamps and validations, and all other fishing rules remain in effect.
Eagle Nest Lake has its own notes in the rules for specific waters. The lake is listed as day use only, with camping available at Eagle Nest Lake State Park. A posted portion near the dam is closed to fishing, so anglers should watch for posted boundaries and stay clear of that area. The lake also carries a distinctive rule for northern pike: there is no bag or possession limit for pike there, all pike caught must be kept, and no pike may be intentionally returned to the lake.
The season is about more than a day on the water. Each autumn, the department collects kokanee eggs and milt to fertilize eggs and hatch fry, and those young fish are used to stock Eagle Nest Lake and Navajo Lake. In that way, the fall run helps support future fishing at both lakes, and careful handling of the rules helps keep the collection work and the fishery on track.
Eagle Nest Lake sits in the Moreno Valley, within easy reach of Carson National Forest country around Red River, Questa, and Taos, making it a natural stop for anglers already in the area for fall hiking, camping, or hunting. October weather in the valley can turn cold and windy quickly, especially in the morning, so layers, a check of the forecast, and an early look at lake conditions are wise before heading out.
For anglers who have never tried it, the appeal is simple: a brief, clearly defined season, a fish that behaves differently from the trout most local waters are known for, and a chance to fish a high mountain lake as winter approaches. Check the current rules booklet at wildlife.dgf.nm.gov before going, respect the closed area near the dam, and enjoy one of fall's most distinctive fishing opportunities in northern New Mexico.