The Rio Grande Cutthroat

Person holding a large rainbow trout over a river with forested landscape in the background.
Close-up of a fish's head, showing its eye, mouth, and part of its colorful body, being held in a person's hand.

The Original, the OG, the state fish of New Mexico. The Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout (RGCT) is the native trout to the Rio Grande watershed, and different species of Cutthroat Trout are native to the Rocky Mountains. Historically they were found just about everywhere around here, now they are limited to the higher elevation streams because of water quality, water temperatures and competition by brown trout and brook trout. Most of our Cutthroat fishing requires a hike into the mountains to a small stream, or a drive up into the Valle Vidal where some work has been done to maintain a healthy RGCT fishery. The Valle Vidal is only fishable July 1st through about October, weather depending. Though they may not be huge in size, the RGCT is one of the prettiest trout we have in America, and the places they reside are pretty dang stunning. Catching one of these should be on every anglers list. All of our Cutthroat fishing happens during the summer and early fall.

Check out the New Mexico Trout Challenge on the NM Game & Fish Website:

A fishing net holds a freshly caught rainbow trout with colorful markings and a glossy eye, surrounded by water.
A fish with a brown and orange body and black spots, caught in a hexagonal mesh net with water.
Close-up of a freshly caught brown trout fish lying in a plastic net with hexagon-shaped holes.
A hand holding a small rainbow trout over a fishing net
A person's hand holding a rainbow trout in a net submerged in water.
Person holding a rainbow trout fish over a creek or river.
Person holding a rainbow trout fish in a river, wearing beige waterproof clothing with black Velcro straps.