Outdoor Opportunities at Navajo Lake State Park

By NM State Parks

The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, State Parks Division announces the Pine Main boat ramp and “No Wake” zone, the Sims Mesa “No Wake” zone, and surrounding shoreline within “No Wake” zones at Navajo Lake State Park will be closed to anglers beginning October 2^ndthrough November 12^th  per the New Mexico Game and Fish 2020-2021 Rulebook. The rest of Navajo Lake will remain open to snagging, including the spillway to the far corner of the dam. No fishing is allowed within 150 feet of boat ramps, walkways, or any other infrastructure at any time.

 

Snagging is a technique for harvesting soon-to-die spawning salmon. Anglers cast heavyweight treble hooks into schools of fish and then reel them in. Anglers can harvest 12 fish per day and have 24 in their possession.

 

The salmon snagging season runs October 1^st through December 31^st at Navajo Lake, El Vado Lake, Abiquiu Lake, Eagle Nest Lake and the Chama River from El Vado Lake to the west boundary of the Rio Chama Wildlife and Fishing Area. The snagging season at Heron Lake and Willow Creek is from November 13^ththrough December 31^st.

 

Navajo Lake State Park will expand the area that waterfowl hunters can access to the entire San Juan River within Navajo Lake State Park starting ¼ mile downstream from the spilling basin of Navajo Dam. Hunters are urged to share the river with anglers and to clean up any shells they eject from their firearms. Please see the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Hunting and Fishing Publications for bag limits, license requirements, and hunting hours.

 

Navajo Lake State Park allows big game hunting in certain areas of the park. Please contact the park for more information and permitted areas.

 

New Mexico State Park Officials are enforcing the Public Health Order and request that all visitors follow the mandates including wearing face coverings, social distancing, and keeping group sizes to 10 people or less. Currently, only New Mexico residents are allowed access to New Mexico State Parks.

 

For more information on snagging or hunting, please consult the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish publications available online at,www.wildlife.state.nm.us. For more information about Navajo Lake State Park, please call (505) 632-2278 or visit www.nmparks.com.