Wild Rivers of New Mexico - Cimarron River

The Cimarron River is some of the best dry fly water in the United States. A premier tailwater with an amazing number of stonefly, caddisfly, mayfly, and midge hatches that make for exciting brown trout action. Originally established by local ranchers for their stock and down stream farms, the Cimarron River flows out of Eagle Nest Lake and Dam in Northeastern New Mexico.

Located on the eastern fringe of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this dry fly mecca flows eastward from Eagles Nest, NM along US Hwy 64 to the town of Cimarron. After merging into several other rivers this water ultimately reaches the Mississippi River. During the last fish census New Mexico Game and Fish estimates nearly 4,000 catchable sized wild browns per mile. The Cimarron is unquestionably the healthiest wild brown trout fishery in the state and the southern Rocky Mountains. Most of the wild browns are 10-14 inches with the occasional 18-20 incher. New Mexico Game and Fish stocks 8-10 inch rainbows during the summer months.

There are ten miles of trout water open to the public. Eight miles of water flows through the Cimarron Canyon State Park, the other 2 miles are located on private property and are only accessible via guided wade trips. The state park water begins at the US Hwy 64 bridge just upstream of Tolby Campground and ends at the eastern edge of the state park just west of Ute Park, NM. The area is home to abundant wildlife including turkey, bear, elk, mule dear, eagles, hawks and osprey.

The Cimarron averages 10 feet wide and 1-5 feet deep depending on snow runoff and dam flow. The Cimarron has every imaginable water characteristic. Fast riffles, deep runs, bend pools, undercut banks, spring creek channels, pockets and beaver pools can be found the length of the river. The river banks and surrounding area is filled with willow, alder, cottonwood and pine trees along the river. The flows can range from 10 cubic feet per second(cfs) to 70 cfs, optimal fishing flows range between 15 cfs -50cfs.

Special Trout Waters: The Cimarron has clearly marked Special Trout Water areas. This means that bait fishing is not permitted nor are three pronged spinners, power bait or salmon eggs. You are only allowed to keep one trout 16" or better. Please refer to your New Mexico Fishing Proclamation for further guidance. Also, Special Trout Waters are part of the conservation efforts that help us maintain fisheries. Help us maintain this fabulous brown trout fishery by practicing catch and release and by packing out what you packed in.

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