Tingley Beach: Department photo by Ross Morgan

Off-the-highway fishing stops

Headed west to Phoenix or San Diego? Or north to Denver? East to Amarillo? South to El Paso? Long car rides often call for a pit stop, and what better way to relax after a few hours in the car than to go fishing.

The following fishing spots are not too far off New Mexico’s Interstate highways where both adults and kids can escape the car and try some fishing. Some of these spots, such as Cowles, offer fishing ponds just for kids.

Escondida Lake: Department photo by Martin Perea.

I-25 corridor

Water: Storrie Lake
Species: rainbow trout, crappie, channel catfish
Location: 4 miles north of Las Vegas, NM on NM Highway 518

Water: Pecos Canyon (Pecos River and Cowles Pond)
Location: 5-20 miles north of I-25 on Highway 63 starting at Village of Pecos upstream to Village of Cowles
Species: rainbow trout, wild brown trout
Kids’ pond onsite

Water: Tingley Beach
Species: rainbow trout (Nov to March), channel catfish (May to Sept), largemouth bass, bluegill
Location: Tingley Dr just south of the Albuquerque BioPark
Kids’ pond onsite

Water: Escondida Lake
Species: rainbow trout (Nov to March), channel catfish (May to Sept)
Location: About 4 miles north of Socorro, east of I-25, NM408, then on Pueblitos Road

Grants Pond: Department photo by Alexa Henry

I-40 corridor

Water: Bluewater Reservoir
Species: tiger muskie, rainbow trout
Location: I-40 Prewitt, N.M. exit between Grants and Gallup

Water: Blue Hole Park Lake and Perch Lake
Species: rainbow trout, channel catfish
Location: Santa Rosa, N.M. Blue Hole Park Pond located on La Pradina Ave, Perch Lake about 1.5 miles south of Santa Rosa on NM91.

Water: Grants Riverwalk Pond
Species: rainbow trout, catfish (in summer months)
Location: Off Route 66 in Grants next to the Mining Museum

Above: Tingley Beach: Department photo by Ross Morgan. Middle: Escondida Lake: Department photo by Martin Perea. Bottom: Grants Pond: Department photo by Alexa Henry.

About NMDGF

It is the mission of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to conserve, regulate, propagate and protect the wildlife and fish within the State of New Mexico, using a flexible management system that ensures sustainable use for public food supply, recreation and safety—and to provide for off-highway motor vehicle recreation that recognizes cultural, historic and resource values while ensuring public safety.