Anglers in New Mexico are very fortunate to have such diverse fishing opportunities, especially when it comes to trout. With six different trout species, all within a few hours of each other, catching several, or all of them, can be quite the challenge.
In January 2020, the Department of Game and Fish has launched the New Mexico Trout Challenge (NMTC). This challenge, which is the first of its kind for New Mexico, encourages anglers in the state to catch five of New Mexico’s trout species. The five trout species that anglers are challenged to catch are the Rio Grande cutthroat trout, Gila trout, brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout.
Anglers who choose to participate in the challenge will need to download the Powderhook application on their smart phone or tablet to track their progress. Information such as the lake or stream where the fish was caught, how much the fish weighs along with a picture of the fish are just a few examples of what is required from anglers. For anglers who do not have a smart phone or tablet, there are alternative ways to enter this information including calling the Information Center at (888) 248-6866.
There is no time limit to complete the challenge and every angler who completes the challenge will receive a NMTC coin for bragging rights.
“This challenge will not only test the fishing abilities of trout anglers across the state, it will be a great way for fellow anglers to prove their skill and enjoy the variety of outdoor recreation opportunities New Mexico has to offer,” said Kirk Patten, chief of fisheries management for the Department.
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