Animas River

Boat Ramps: 9
Access Points: 31
Species: 13

The Animas River is one of the last free-flowing rivers in Colorado, stretching 126 miles from its headwaters in the San Juan Mountains near Silverton at an elevation of 11,120 feet, through Durango, Colorado, and down to Farmington, New Mexico, where it joins the San Juan River. Named El Rio de las Animas Perdidas en Purgatorio (The River of Lost Souls in Hell) by early Spanish explorers, today's Animas River is far from hellish—it's a premier fishing destination known for its Gold Medal waters and trophy-sized trout. The river flows through magnificent canyons, mountain valleys, and urban areas, providing diverse fishing opportunities in various settings, from remote wilderness to easily accessible city sections.

New Mexico licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Animas River and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

Cutthroat Trout

Oncorhynchus clarkii

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Animas River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Animas River

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

New Mexico licenses and regulations

New Mexico Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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New Mexico Fishing License

While fishing in New Mexico, anglers 12 years and older must possess a valid New Mexico Fishing License or Game-hunting & Fishing License. Licenses are valid April 1 through March 31 of the following year. A New Mexico Fishing License is not required on tribal reservations and private Class-A lakes.

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New Mexico Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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New Mexico Stream Access Laws

Criminal trespass consists of knowingly entering or remaining upon posted private property without possessing written permission from the owner or person in control of the land. The provisions of this subsection do not apply if: 1) the owner or person in control of the land has entered into an agreement with NMDGF granting access to the land to the general public for the purpose of taking any game animals, birds or fish by hunting or fishing; or 2) a person is in possession of a landowner license given to him by the owner or person in control of the land that grants access to that particular private land for the purpose of taking any game animals, birds or fish by hunting or fishing. It is unlawful to knowingly enter upon any private property to hunt, capture, take, attempt to take, or kill any game animal, furbearer, game bird, or game fish without possessing written permission from the landowner or person in control of the land or trespass rights unless otherwise permitted in rule or statute.

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Take Animas River with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Animas River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Animas River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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