New Mexico is a fishing oasis with a variety of options for any angler. Big reservoirs on the Rio Grande have striped bass, white bass, and walleye. Cold, high-elevation lakes in the north produce trout and kokanee salmon. Tailwaters like the San Juan River below Navajo Dam draw fly anglers from around the world.
The best fishing is spread out, and much of it is far from towns. That makes an RV an excellent choice. Most of the lakes in this guide have state park or Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds with electric and water hookups close to the water, so you can sleep near the lake and be fishing at sunrise.
Best Places for RV Fishing in New Mexico
| Fishing spot | Best for | RV camping experience | Good to know |
| Navajo Lake | Kokanee, pike, bass, trout | Electric/water and some full-hookup sites in the park | San Juan River trout fishing below the dam |
| Heron Lake | Trout, kokanee | Electric/water sites in the park | No-wake lake; ice fishing in winter |
| Abiquiu Lake | Walleye, smallmouth bass | Electric/water sites at Riana Campground | Alcohol-free; lake access 1 mile from camp |
| Cochiti Lake | Pike, bass, walleye | Electric/water sites at Cochiti Campground | No-wake lake on Pueblo de Cochiti land |
| Elephant Butte Lake | Striped bass, white bass | Electric/water sites; some full hookups | Busy on holiday weekends; check ramp status |
| Caballo Lake | White bass, walleye, crappie | Electric/water and full-hookup sites | Short drive from Elephant Butte |
Fishing Spots in New Mexico
Here are some of the best fishing spots in New Mexico. You’ll find plenty of trout fishing in the state, along with a variety of other fish to catch.
Navajo Lake State Park
Navajo Lake is New Mexico’s second-largest lake. It sits northeast of Aztec and Bloomfield, and its upper end stretches into Colorado. Two full-service marinas, at Pine and Sims Mesa, rent boats and sell supplies.
The lake supports both warm- and coldwater fish. NM Game and Fish lists largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, northern pike, brown and rainbow trout, and kokanee salmon. Kokanee gather along the shoreline to spawn each fall, and a special snagging season opens then.
Below the dam, the San Juan River’s Quality Waters are among the best-known trout tailwaters in the country, with special regulations for anglers.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Base camp: The park has developed sites in seven campgrounds. Pine, near the dam and main marina, is the largest and has electric/water sites plus a few full-hookup sites. Cottonwood sits on the San Juan River.
- Fishing access: Pine puts you close to both the lake and the river. Sims Mesa is on the opposite shore near Sims Marina.
- Rig size: Reach Sims Mesa by paved US 64 and NM 527. Reviewers advise against the rough dam service road.
- Best for: Anglers who want lake and river fishing from one base camp.
Heron Lake State Park
Heron Lake State Park sits among tall pines at about 7,200 feet near Chama. It’s a designated “quiet lake,” so motorboats run at no-wake speed only. Canoes, kayaks, and sailboats are all fun options here. The state park is known for record-size trout and kokanee salmon, and ice fishing is popular in winter.
A 5.5-mile trail leads from near Heron Dam down to the Rio Chama, crosses the river on a suspension bridge, and continues to El Vado Lake.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Base camp: The park has developed sites, including some with water and electric hookups. There are no sewer hookups, but dump stations are available.
- Fishing access: Several campgrounds line the shore, and some sites have just a short walk to the water.
- Best for: Anglers who want quiet water, cool summer temperatures, and winter ice fishing.
Abiquiu Lake
Abiquiu Lake is an Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Rio Chama near the village of the same name. It’s about an hour northwest of Santa Fe. You can expect to find walleye and smallmouth bass, and the lake also holds rainbow and brown trout. Water-skiing and other motorized boating are popular, and there are some great hiking trails as well.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Base camp: Riana Campground sits on a 150-foot bluff above the lake. It has 52 sites, some with electric and water hookups, plus showers and a dump station. The electric loop is a good choice for larger rigs.
- Fishing access: There’s no lake access directly from camp. The boat ramp and shoreline access are about a mile away.
- Good to know: The campground and lake are alcohol-free, and campground gates close at 10 p.m. Riana typically closes for the winter.
- Best for: Walleye and bass anglers who want a scenic, quieter campground.
Cochiti Lake Recreation Area
Cochiti Lake is between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, on the Pueblo de Cochiti reservation. It’s an Army Corps of Engineers lake and a popular stop for campers and anglers fishing in New Mexico. There are actually two recreation areas: Cochiti on the west side and Tetilla Peak on the east side. Like Heron, it’s a no-wake lake. You can fish for bass, crappie, walleye, northern pike, catfish, sunfish, and trout.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is about five miles from the Cochiti side.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Base camp: Cochiti Campground has electric hookups in its Juniper Loop and water and electric at every site in its Buffalo Grove Loop. Tetilla Peak has an electric loop and a non-electric loop and doesn’t take reservations through Recreation.gov.
- Fishing access: The Cochiti boat ramp is open year-round. The Santa Cruz day-use area has fishing docks.
- Best for: Anglers who want an easy trip from Albuquerque or Santa Fe.
Elephant Butte Lake State Park
Elephant Butte Lake State Park is home to New Mexico’s largest lake, near Truth or Consequences. As this is one of the most popular spots for camping and fishing in New Mexico, holiday weekends usually mean it’s crowded with partygoers. It’s also one of the best places to fish for striped bass in the state. NM Game and Fish stocks young striped bass here, and this lake produced the state-record catch. White bass, the most frequently caught warmwater sport fish in New Mexico, also spawn successfully here. You can also find largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, and catfish.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Base camp: The park has several campgrounds with developed sites. Most offer electric and water hookups, and a few have full hookups. Beach and primitive camping are also available. Private RV parks in the town of Elephant Butte offer full hookups.
- Fishing access: Campgrounds are near the lake, and you can fish from piers, the shore, or a boat.
- Good to know: Water levels have been low in recent years, which affects which boat ramps are open. Check the ramp status before you go.
- Best for: Anglers chasing big striped and white bass.
Caballo Lake State Park
Caballo Lake is located near the beautiful Caballo Mountains, about 15 miles south of Truth or Consequences. The lake holds white bass, largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, and catfish, and NM Game and Fish lists it as one of two striped bass lakes in the state. Afternoon winds often pick up, so mornings are best for small boats.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Base camp: Caballo Lake State Park has 170 developed sites in four campgrounds. Most have water and electric hookups, and seven have full hookups. Riverside Campground is along the Rio Grande below the dam, shaded by cottonwoods.
- Fishing access: Appaloosa Campground is within walking distance of the lake.
- Best for: Anglers who want to hit both Caballo and Elephant Butte on a southern New Mexico fishing trip.
How to Plan an RV Fishing Trip in New Mexico
Here are tips for planning an RV fishing trip in New Mexico.
Choose an RV-Friendly Campground
- State parks: Most have electric and water hookups near the lake. Full-hookup sites are limited. You can reserve up to six months ahead through New Mexico State Parks.
- Army Corps campgrounds: Riana and Cochiti take reservations through Recreation.gov. Both are seasonal.
- Private RV parks: These are best for big rigs and full hookups, especially around Elephant Butte.
If you want to plan a route rather than a single stop, Navajo, Heron, and Abiquiu make a good northern trip. Elephant Butte and Caballo are a nice southern loop.
Pack Your RV for a Fishing Trip
Make sure to include these items when packing for a New Mexico fishing trip.
- Fly rods for the San Juan and Rio Chama; spinning gear for the lakes
- Cold-weather layers. Northern lakes sit above 6,000 feet, and nights stay cool even in summer.
- Sun protection and shade for the southern lakes
- Extra fresh water. Several parks have posted water advisories or seasonal shutoffs.
- Ice-fishing gear for winter trips to Heron
- A large cooler. Navajo Lake’s kokanee limit is 12 fish per day.
Know Before You Go
- License: Anglers 12 and older need a New Mexico fishing license. New Mexico residents 70 and older qualify for a free license.
- Habitat Management & Access Validation: Required once each license year for anglers 18 and older.
- Habitat Stamp: Required to fish on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands. It costs $10.
- Second rod: Fishing with two rods requires a Second Rod Validation.
- License year: Licenses run April 1 through March 31.
- Special waters: The San Juan and Rio Chama Quality Waters have their own rules. The Colorado end of Navajo Lake falls under Colorado regulations.
New Mexico’s best fishing is spread across long stretches of open road, and an RV can turn those drives into part of the trip. You can camp near the water in many places, letting you get out and fish first thing in the morning. An RV also has plenty of room for all of your gear like fly rods, waders, coolers, and more. You can also cook your catch at your rig that very same day. RVs also make it easy for people with different interests to travel together. Some of the group can fish while others hike or explore the area in a tow vehicle.
Start planning your trip with New Mexico RV rentals or browse RV rentals in Albuquerque.
