Rio del Las Vacas

Rio de las Vacas in north-central New Mexico holds a Special Trout Water designation (Red chile, non-native suppression) from the fish migration barrier approximately 0.2 miles upstream of NM Road 70 to its headwaters. The river 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 Cuba Ranger District and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.