Fishing Season: Mid April through October

Cimarron River - NM

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

66

Doc Thompson's Tip of the Week

Flows out of Eagle Nest have been steady between 18-24 cfs, a really good fishing flow. Cooler temps are here. Seeing some Baetis hatches and still seeing some Tricos.

Directions open in app

Map of Cimarron River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Doc Thompson

5-Day Outlook as of 9/17/26

Expect the Cimarron to continue to fish good through September into early October. Might see a little decrease in flows over the next week as irrigators start slowing down. Be on the look out for some Baetis.

Techniques & Tips as of 9/17/26

Mostly fishing dry-droppers. Can see some rising trout in the morning.

Local Species Available Mid April through October

  • Fish Icon

    Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout

Doc Thompson's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Adams Parachute Dry Fly N/A 14-16
Elk Wing Caddis N/A 16
Smith’s Crippled Emerger N/A 18
Flashback Baetis Nymph Natural 16-18
Tunghead Pheasant Tail N/A 14-16
Tactical Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Jig N/A 16
Copper Johns red 16-18
MIcro Mayfly Nymphs N/A 16-18
Pheasant Tails natural 16-18
Midges gray black 18-20

Adams Parachute Dry Fly

The light-colored post on the classic Adams Parachute Dry Fly pattern ensures good visibility in a variety of conditions.

2.49

Item #0356

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Doc Thompson's Recommended Gear

Description: About Cimarron River

The Cimarron River is located in Northern New Mexico and flows east from Eagle Nest, NM, through the Cimarron Canyon State Park and continues eastward to Cimarron, NM. There is 8-10 miles of public access in the Cimarron Canyon State Park. Three miles of private water can be accessed through Orvis Endorsed Guide, Doc Thompson. The Cimarron River is technically a small tailwater that fishes and looks more like a mountain freestone stream. The water features include riffles, pockets, bend pools, undercut banks, beaver ponds, drop-offs, runs and everything in between. These water characteristics, along with a dense aquatic insect population, make the Cimarron one of the best wild brown trout fisheries in the Southwest. New Mexico Game and Fish does stock rainbows throughout the Cimarron. The best time to fish the Cimarron is from May through mid October. Key hatches include Golden Stoneflies, PMDs, Tricos, Caddis, BWOs, Midges and Terrestrials. The Cimarron Canyon State Park has three maintained campgrounds with tent and RV sites. The small communities of Eagle Nest and Cimarron are the closest towns with basic amenities of restaurants, places to stay, gas stations, groceries and fishing licenses. The larger towns of Taos, Red River and Angel Fire offer more amenities but with a little longer drive.

Nearest Airport:

Major airlines fly into Albuquerque International Sunport, private planes can fly into Angel Fire

Hatches:

Multiple mayflies and be on the look for Caddis

Best Time to Fish:

Morning through afternoon

Best Stretch:

Cimarron Canyon State Park and the lower private water.

Best Access:

Cimarron Canyon State Park