Columbine Creek

Columbine Creek in north-central New Mexico holds a Special Trout Water designation (Red chile, non-native suppression) from NM Highway 38 upstream to its headwaters. The creek supports Rio Grande cutthroat trout and brown trout under split regulations: native cutthroat are catch-and-release only, while non-native trout may be kept without limit; only artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook is permitted. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the USFS Questa Ranger District and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.