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The Department’s Weekly Fishing and Stocking Report and Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner can tell you where you’re most likely to reel in the big one.
Source: NM Game & Fish
Photos: Courtesy
Have you always wanted to drop a line in one of New Mexico’s lakes, rivers or streams, but haven’t had the chance? Are you and your kids looking for the opportunity to get outdoors and spend time together this summer? The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s annual Free Fishing Weekend is the perfect time to get together with friends and family and experience all that New Mexico’s waterways have to offer.
The Department and its partners are excited to offer several opportunities statewide for you, your friends and family to get outside and give fishing a try on this Free Fishing Weekend. Here’s just a sample of some of the events we have in store:
- The Fifth Annual Outdoor Adventure Day, hosted by the Department and Corrales Parks and Recreation, starts at 7:30 a.m. and goes until 1:30 p.m. There is a fishing derby with prizes for anglers age 17 and under, as well as an archery range and a pellet gun range. All you need to bring is your fishing gear and bait. Click here for more information.
- The Department is also teaming up with the Las Cruces Police Department for the Fish with a Cop event from 8 a.m.-noon at Young Park. This all-ages event will include fishing, skills stations, prizes, giveaways, food and music. Click here for more information.
- Department volunteers will also be on hand at the Route 66 Children’s Fishing Derby at Monastery Lake from 7 a.m.-noon. The event, hosted by the Village of Pecos along with the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division and the New Mexico Tourism Department’s Route 66 Centennial Grant Program, includes free fishing for all, prizes for kids, family-friendly activities, local vendors, food trucks and more. Click here for more information.
All anglers can fish for free throughout New Mexico on June 7-8, though they must observe bag limits and all other rules and regulations. All the information you’ll need is available on the Department’s website. Wondering where to go? The Department’s Weekly Fishing and Stocking Report and Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner can tell you where you’re most likely to reel in the big one.
Advanced Hunter Education Skills Camp
The Department is hosting an Advanced Hunter Education Skills Camp this summer at Wedding Cake Ranch near Folsom for youth age 10-17 who are accompanied by a registered adult, giving them the chance to gain valuable hands-on experience.
The free camp, which will take place June 27-29, will teach participants about safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. Participants will also learn from Department conservation officers about their jobs, including wildlife investigations, decoy operations and working with wildlife. They will also get to test their marksmanship skills with bows and arrows, .22 rifles and shotguns. All equipment will be provided by the Department.
Meals will be provided and participants will tent camp on the property.
Registration is currently open – click here to register. Spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Participants must have a Customer Identification Number account with the Department and complete required homework before attending.
Upcoming Events
- June 7-8 — Free Fishing Weekend; click here for more information
- June 7 – Fish with a Cop at Young Park in Las Cruces; click here for more information
- June 7 – Route 66 Children’s Fishing Derby at Monastery Lake; click here for more information
- June 7 – Outdoor Adventure Day at Liam Knight Pond; click here for more information
- June 13 — State Game Commission meeting in Red River; click here for more information
- June 21 — ATV safety class in Los Lunas; click here for more information
- June 27-29 — Advanced Hunter Education Skills Camp at Wedding Cake Ranch; click here to register
