Fishing at Philmont
Philmont’s mountain streams are home to a variety of trout, and select itineraries offer the chance to fish in designated backcountry camps. To participate, most youth and all adults will need a valid New Mexico fishing license.
Do I Need a License?
- Youth 11 & Under: No license required.
- Youth 12–17: Yes. You can purchase a Philmont Youth 10-Day License for $2 with cash (exact change recommended) at Abreu, Fish Camp, Hunting Lodge, Phillips Junction, or the Tooth of Time Traders. Alternatively, a Youth Annual License can be purchased ahead of time online ($9 NM resident / $19 non-resident).
- Adults 18 & Older: Yes. Licenses must be purchased before entering the backcountry. Buy online at onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us or at the Tooth of Time Traders.
License Prices (includes $4 habitat stamp)
| License Type | NM Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Day | $16.00 | $16.00 |
| 5-Day | $28.00 | $28.00 |
| Annual (Adult) | $29.00 | $60.00 |
| Annual (Youth) | $9.00 | $19.00 |
| Philmont Youth 10-Day | $2.00 | $2.00 |
Tips for Adults
If you’re buying a one-day license, use your itinerary to match your fishing date. For example, if Day 1 is June 18 and you fish on Day 8, buy a license for June 25. Licenses aren’t sold in the backcountry, so plan ahead and bring a printed copy.
To speed up purchases at Base Camp, you can register for a Customer Identification Number (CIN) in advance, using your driver’s license as ID.