New Mexico
Red River below fish hatchery near Questa
Location Snapshot
Red River below Fish Hatchery near Questa is a northern New Mexico mountain stream flowing through the Red River canyon toward the Rio Grande. Brown and rainbow trout define the principal coldwater fishery.
Current River Rating
Fair · 66
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Consider
Recommended Window
Wednesday, 7:00 AM–10:00 AM
Why
- Water temperature is within the preferred trout range.
- Air temperature is comfortable for a river trout trip.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: High
Current Readings
- Flow
- 45.7 CFS
- Gage Height
- 4.5 ft
- Water Temperature
- 55.6 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 21, 2026, 12:45 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 08266820 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
Loading advisory…
Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Partly cloudy
Temperature
63°F
Feels like
56°F
Wind
11 mph SW
Wind gust
17 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 1:45 PM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 8 PM
Clear
Temp 54°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Wed 12 AM
Clear
Temp 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Wed 4 AM
Overcast
Temp 46°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Wed 8 AM
Overcast
Temp 46°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Wed 12 PM
Overcast
Temp 65°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Wed 4 PM
Overcast
Temp 69°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Fog
High 66°F / Low 44°F
Chance 19%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 16 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Rain
High 69°F / Low 46°F
Chance 16%
Precip 0.31 in
Max gust 16 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Showers
High 69°F / Low 51°F
Chance 58%
Precip 0.45 in
Max gust 29 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Showers
High 64°F / Low 49°F
Chance 70%
Precip 0.60 in
Max gust 30 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
Loading historical flow…
Fishing Overview
Rainbow trout are in the mixed fishery on the Red River below fish hatchery near Questa, along with brown trout.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Red River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Taos, New Mexico
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Taos
Management Category
Hatchery trout river
Regulation Scope
Red River hatchery bridge to Rio Grande confluence.
Regulation Summary
Red River below fish hatchery near Questa: NMDOW Special Trout Water. Confirm current NMDOW Fishing Rules and Information.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, brown-trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
Loading access and regulations…