Rio Puerco
Rio Puerco
- Boat Ramps
- 0
- Access Points
- 0
- Species
- 9
The Rio Puerco is not a fishing destination but rather a watershed and river system in central New Mexico that is primarily ephemeral (intermittent) in nature. The Rio Puerco watershed covers 7,350 square miles with headwaters near Cuba, New Mexico in northern Sandoval County, flowing to the Rio Grande at Bernardo. The river is frequently dry from late fall to late spring and experiences high suspended sediments with lower oxygen levels that cannot support significant fish populations. The Rio Puerco has high suspended sediments and low oxygen levels, with many benthic macro invertebrates unable to exist due to small amounts of dissolved oxygen on the river bottom.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Rio Puerco and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
Cutthroat Trout
Oncorhynchus clarkii
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
White Sucker
Catostomus commersonii
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Rio Puerco. 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 Rio Puerco
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.
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.
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.
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.
Take Rio Puerco 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 Rio Puerco to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Rio Puerco to find where and when fish are biting for you.
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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Rio Puerco and check the forecast before you go.
RIO PUERCO NEAR BERNARDO, NM
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