Go Fish
The Rio Penasco is located just outside of Cloudcroft and offers some great fly fishing opportunities for rainbow and brown trout
Where the trout roam, where to catch 'em.
Rio Penasco: This river is located just outside of Cloudcroft and offers some great fly fishing opportunities for rainbow and brown trout. The best fishing can be found in the upper section of the river near the Rio Penasco Campground.
Here are some of the best fishing spots on the Rio Penasco:
Rio Penasco Campground: Located in the upper section of the river and offers easy access to some great fishing spots. The area around the campground is a popular spot for anglers to fish for rainbow and brown trout. The river in this section is narrow and has plenty of riffles and pools that hold fish.
Upper Rio Penasco: The upper section of the Rio Penasco is a great place to fish for wild brown and rainbow trout. This section of the river is more remote and requires some hiking to get to the best spots, but the fishing is well worth the effort. There are several deep pools and runs that hold some large fish.
Lower Rio Penasco: The lower section of the Rio Penasco is a good spot for beginners and those looking for easy access. This section of the river is wider and has plenty of riffles and pools that hold fish. There are several pullouts along Highway 130 that offer easy access to the river.
La Junta Canyon: La Junta Canyon is located about 10 miles downstream from the Rio Penasco Campground and offers some great fishing for brown and rainbow trout. This section of the river is more remote and requires some hiking to get to, but the fishing is well worth the effort.
Waterfall Area: The waterfall area is located in the upper section of the Rio Penasco and is a popular spot for anglers. This area has some deep pools and runs that hold some large fish. The waterfall itself is also a beautiful spot to fish.
Rio Ruidoso: The Rio Ruidoso is located about 30 minutes from Cloudcroft and is known for its excellent fishing for rainbow and brown trout. This river is easily accessible from the town of Ruidoso and offers plenty of opportunities for both beginners and experienced anglers.
Two Rivers Park: Two Rivers Park is located near the center of Ruidoso and offers easy access to the Rio Ruidoso. This area is a popular spot for fly fishing and spin fishing and is stocked with rainbow trout. There are plenty of areas to wade or fish from the bank.
Grindstone Reservoir: The Rio Ruidoso runs into Grindstone Reservoir, which is located just outside of Ruidoso. The reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout and also has some brown trout and smallmouth bass. There are several access points around the reservoir and it's a great spot for both fly and spin fishing.
Upper Rio Ruidoso: The upper section of the Rio Ruidoso offers some great fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout. This section of the river is more remote and requires some hiking to get to the best spots, but the fishing is well worth the effort. There are several deep pools and runs that hold some large fish.
Lower Rio Ruidoso: The lower section of the Rio Ruidoso is a good spot for beginners and those looking for easy access. This section of the river is wider and has plenty of riffles and pools that hold fish. There are several access points along Highway 70 that offer easy access to the river.
Rio Ruidoso Recreation Area: The Rio Ruidoso Recreation Area is located about 5 miles east of Ruidoso and offers some great fishing opportunities. This area is stocked with rainbow trout and has several access points and picnic areas.
Bonito Creek is a small stream located about 45 minutes from Cloudcroft and is known for its excellent fishing for brown and rainbow trout. The creek is located in a beautiful canyon and offers plenty of secluded spots for fly fishing.
Grindstone Reservoir is located in Ruidoso and is a popular spot for both fly and spin fishing. The reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout and also has some brown trout and smallmouth bass. There are plenty of access points around the reservoir and it's a great spot for beginners.
Alto Lake is another popular fishing spot located in Ruidoso. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and also has some largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegill. There are plenty of access points around the lake and it's a great spot for fly fishing from a kayak or canoe.
For more information check out the website for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.