Special Kokanee Snagging Season to Open at Navajo Lake State Park

Navajo Dam, NM – The salmon snagging season at Navajo Lake State Park and the Pine River opens Oct. 1 and runs through Dec. 31. Snagging is a popular technique for harvesting soon-to-die spawning salmon that allows anglers to hook the body of the fish rather than the mouth. Anglers are permitted to harvest 12 fish per day and have 24 in their possession.

All of Navajo Lake is open to snagging, including the spillway to the far corner of the dam. However, the Pine River main boat ramp and “No Wake” zone, along with the Sims Mesa “No Wake” zone and surrounding shoreline within the “No Wake” zones will be closed to anglers from Oct. 1 though Nov. 9 per New Mexico Game Commission Rule. No fishing is allowed within 150 feet of boat ramps, walkways or any other infrastructure at any time.

Kokanee snagging also is available at El Vado Lake State Park, Abiquiu Lake, Eagle Nest Lake State Park, and the Chama River from El Vado Lake to the west boundary of the Rio Chama Wildlife and Fishing Area Oct.1 through Dec. 31. The snagging season at Heron Lake State Park and Willow Creek runs from Nov. 10 through Dec. 31.

For more information about Navajo Lake State Park, please call (505) 632-2278 or visit www.nmparks.com.

For more information on snagging, please consult the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish “New Mexico Fishing Rules and Information” booklet available online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.