Do you like fish? Do you often find yourself nodding along, hoping your co-worker will stop talking so you can head out to the reservoir? Are you planning on fishing in the backcountry this summer? Here is everything you need to know!
First, make sure you have two things: A New Mexico fishing license and a habitat stamp. Both can be purchased either online at the New Mexico Department of Wildlife or at the Tooth of Time Traders at Base Camp. The fish have strong intuition and will not bite if they suspect you are without a license; they will also report you to logistics.

Before you hold up the line at the TOTT, typing in the wrong Social Security number three times in a row, register for a Customer Identification Number online through the Department of Wildlife site before arrival. Also, make sure that if purchasing a day pass, you register under the date you plan to fish if the dates between purchase and fishing differ. Search Fishing License – Philmont Scout Ranch for more information.

Next, pick your perfect scenic spot. Fish like to spend their time in water, due to their aquatic ancestry, so make sure to head to an area with a lake or river; puddles are not advised. Philmont hasa variety of areas to flyfish, the most popular being Cimarroncito Reservoir in Demolition Forest, Philmont Reservoir near Stockade Ridge, and Rayado River that runs through Fish Camp. Permission is required for the Cimarroncita camp.
Finally, know the water! Trout tend to form tight cliques with like minded fish, gravitating towards communal spaces. So, when trout fishing, make sure to look for Pocket Water, Deep Pools, Undercut Banks, and Riffles. Pocket water is the small current break between large boulders. Deep pools are hot spots for large brown trout, and undercut banks leave great hideouts for fish year-round. And given trout are partial towards extreme water sports, riffles- water breaking into small white caps – tend to be great areas for nymphing (subaquatic insect fishing methods).

In a recent survey across Cimarron, experts found fish prefer not to be eaten, quote one saying, “It’s tough out here man, I see my buddies every day get pulled out of the blue,” after being asked if he “had any concerns about the summer.” Philmont asks Scouts to respect the fishes’ requests, and for staff to cook responsibly. FISH ON!
For more info, check out: 2026-2027-FISH-RIB_Online.pdf