Hunting and Fishing

Taos’s mountain streams and lakes teem with fish; the feisty cutthroat trout is indigenous to Valle Vidal [1], north of Questa [2], or you can hook plenty of browns in the wild waters of the Rio Grande.

Eagle Nest Lake and Cabresto Lake (northeast of Questa) are both stocked every year.

If you’d like a guide to show you around, Van Beacham’s Solitary Anglers (204-B Paseo del Pueblo Norte, 866/502-1700, www.thesolitaryangler.com [3]) can’t be beat; clients can have exclusive access to a few private river leases, including on the Cimarron River immediately south of the Eagle Nest dam. Stop into the shop for tackle and info on flows and other conditions.

Elk are the primary target in hunters’ rifle scopes, but you can also bag mule deer, bear, and antelope; High Mountain Outfitters (575/751-7000, www.huntingnm.com [4]) is one of the most experienced expedition leaders, and it has access to private land for hunting exotics.

Visit the website of the New Mexico Game & Fish Department (www.wildlife.state.nm.us [5]) for details on seasons, permits, and licenses.