Hunting and Fishing

Just north of Taos and south of the Colorado border you’ll discover designated Wilderness areas and remote lakes and streams…

Hunting near Questa

Big Horn Sheep –photo by Geraint Smith

In Autumn, hunters hike or ride horseback into Latir peaks, Cabresto Canyon and the Valle Vidal areas that surround our Village.  Big game is accessible on our Carson National Forest lands or the private areas within our region such as the Rio Costilla Park with its private guides.  Our remote peaks and mountain meadows are home to bobcat, cougar, bear, bighorn sheep, deer, and elk.

Please review crucial information at the New Mexico Fish and Game website, see below, or phone this department at 1-888-248-6866.

See our business listings for Hunting Guides; they’ll know our mountains like the back of their hands!

Fishing near Questa

From an hour of teaching skills to the little ones, to an overnight adventure to find the most remote streams and lakes; the Questa area has it all!

Girl Fishing –photo by Geraint Smith

Eagle Rock Lake

Just a 1½ miles east of downtown on highway 38; you’ll find this pretty family-friendly site.

Recently restored to a pristine state and re-landscaped, the 3-acre lake is stocked with rainbow trout and is handicap-accessible.

The section of the Red River behind the lake was also restored for optimal trout habitat, so this is an excellent site for lake or stream fishing!

Red River Fish Hatchery

This is another good choice for kids or the elderly; turn onto hwy 515 just a couple miles south of Questa and follow the road another 2 miles to the hatchery with its self-guided tour available 8a-5p every day, and fishing ponds accessible dawn-dusk.

June, 2015 saw completion  of improved trout habitat  along the Red River, for about 1/2 m up and down-stream from the hatchery!


Red River Box

The Fish Hatchery is also an access point for more experienced anglers to fish the lower section of the Red River.

The area known as the box is between the hatchery and the Rio Grande, and is a deep narrow canyon whose features create great holding areas for trout.  The water temperature here remains fairly constant year-round.

Hike downstream a half mile or more from the hatchery for the best fishing; the trail is rough but worth it.  Despite the willows lining much of the bank, fly fishing is not difficult.  Rainbow trout predominate, though Browns increase in number as you approach the confluence with the Rio Grande.


Rio Grande del Norte National Monument

One can also hike into the Red River box  from the La Junta trail at the river’s confluence with the Rio Grande in the National Monument.  Many of the well-maintained trails here lead to the river.

Anglers find Cutbow, Rainbow, and Brown trout.

Excellent camping sites run along the rim and even down in the gorge adjacent to these special trout waters.

The park is accessed 2.6m north of Questa by turning west onto hwy 378 and passing through the tiny village of Cerro before entering the dramatic scenery of volcanic peaks and river gorge.


canoing_cabresto_0282, wide-640Cabresto Lake

This mountain lake is a close 20 minute drive from town along Cabresto Canyon.  The 15 acre lake sits at 9,150’ and offers excellent fishing for several species of trout.  Follow Cabresto Road/forest rd. 134 east 6 miles, then forest rd. 134A north 2 miles.  Camping, picnic sites and a trailhead into the mountain peaks can be found off the parking lot.  This is a nice entry point into the Carson National Forest.

Note: the lake is scheduled to be lowered during maintenance to the dam this summer.  Call the Questa Ranger Station to confirm timing of work. 575/586-0520

Fishing gear and licenses can be obtained in Questa at Questa Lumber and Hardware Mon.-Sat.,  or on-line HERE.

For more information: see links noted above or:
Find more information from the Forest Service’s Questa Ranger District HERE, or phone 575-586-0520.
Find more information from the BLM at Wild Rivers visitor center in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument HERE, or phone 575-586-1150.
Hunting and Fishing guides are listed on our Business Directory, see tab at top of page.

Print a downloadable pdf of fishing information by clicking HERE.