Northern New Mexico Rivers & Lakes
Rivers
Rio Grande
Orilla Verde
Class I-II
Length: 3.5-8.0miles
Location: Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, Pilar, NM.
Put In: Taos Junction Bridge
Take Out: Lone Juniper or Quartzite Boat Ramp
The Orilla Verde (O.V) stretch of the Rio Grande is great for scenic recreational paddling and fishing in a either an IK or raft that can be run in a half day stretch (Taos Junction Bridge to Lone Juniper Campground/boat ramp) or a full day to the Quartzite boat ramp on highway 68. Take NM State Hwy 68 to Pilar, and hang a left on Hwy 570.
Rio Chama
Day-stretch
Class I/II
8.5 miles
Location: Ghost Ranch/Abiquiu
Put In: Chavez Boat Launch
Take Out: Big Eddy
The day stretch of the Chama is the go-to for Santa Fe and Taos boaters. It's scenic beauty is unmatched with stunning views of red and purple sandstone cliffs that bookend each side of the river. The rapids are gentle yet still challenging. This summer, there is a water release on Sat/Sun but then it gets turned down during the week. The put-in is at Chavez Boat Launch and the take-out is 8 miles down river at Big Eddy.
Lasauses
Rio Grande
Class I/II
8.6 miles
Location: New Mexico/Colorado Stateline
Put in: Lasauses Cemetary
Take out: Labotos Bridge
A mellow scenic float across the Colorado/New Mexico state line. The trips begins in an agricultural area (no dams or wires) and then soon changes to a rugged desert landscape and the begining of the Rio Grande Gorge. Make it a multi-day trip and float the Ute Mt Run (Class I/II) which begins at Labotos Bridge and ends at Lee's Trail.
Lakes
Hopewell Lake
Hopewell Lake is a small alpine lake located on Highway 64 in the Tusas Mountains, between Tres Piedres and Tierra Amarilla. It is well populated with Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, and Lake Trout.
Eagle's Nest Lake
Eagle's Nest is a medium sized reservoir and state park located 30 miles west of Taos on Highway 64. The lake is home to several species of fish, including rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon, yellow perch, common carp, white sucker, and northern pike, which were introduced into Eagle Nest Lake (by law, anglers must harvest/keep pike, because of their threat to the lake's gamefish populations).
Platoro Reservoir
Platoro is a medium-sized reservoir at the headwaters of the Rio Conejos in the San Juan Mountains, just north of the Colorado State Hwy 17, and about a 45m-minute drive up Forest Service Rd 250. It is most popular for fishing Rainbow trout, Brown trout, and Brook trout.