Three Easy Fishing Holes in Taos

Spring and early summer bring people from all over to fish in the rivers and streams of Taos. Perhaps now’s the time to join them!

Even if you’ve never fished before, once you get into the groove, it’s a delightful way to spend an afternoon―meditative and contemplative, just the antidote for our busy lives. Yes, we have busy lives, even aqui en Taos.

All around Taos, there are myriad rivers, lakes, and streams to fish in. And if the idea of a poor fish squirming at the end of your line is too much for you, it’s perfectly acceptable to throw him back. If you’re just starting out at this sport, or even if you’re an old hand with the reel, line, and rod, sometimes it’s best to keep it simple.

Cast Your Line Into These Taos Fishing Holes

The Rio Grande Box, located above the confluence of the Red River, is a good place to start. Take plenty of water (the temperatures can hit 100℉ in the summer) along with your gear. Although we say this is one of the three easy fishing holes in Taos, you’ll be hiking into the Box, and the trails along the canyons can pose all kinds of dangers in the hot weather aside from making you thirsty. Snakes are out sunning themselves, so you may want to carry a stick. They’ll slither out of the way with fair warning.

About twenty miles southwest of Taos on Highway 68, there’s an access route to the Rio Grande. Take NM-570 from Pilar for five miles to find the second of three easy fishing holes in Taos. There’s great fly and bait fishing along here; rainbows, browns, and northern pike populate these waters. You need to purchase a day pass once you enter, so pack a picnic and spend the day in total serenity.

The third of our three easy fishing holes in Taos is the Rio Hondo, just ten miles north of Taos. The lower section of the Hondo is accessible before it flows into the Rio Grande. The upper Hondo waters have been known to run faster, and the fishing holes in this section are not always fruitful. Fishing higher up, you may catch a few sizable browns. The Rio Chiquito watershed is another good spot and is always less crowded. Many of these streams are less than 10 feet wide, but there are a few open areas and beaver dams scattered along the way.

Before you head out, make sure to check the Weekly Fishing & Stocking Report from New Mexico Game & Fish. There are tips for great fishing as well as plenty more ideas beyond these three easy fishing holes in Taos!