Colorado vs New Mexico fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, New Mexico is $6.16 cheaper than Colorado. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, New Mexico is $42.77 cheaper than Colorado. You need a license from age 16 in Colorado and from 12 in New Mexico.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
What visitors pay
Cheapest way for an adult non-resident to cover the trip, including required stamps, worked out from each state's price list. The cheaper state is marked.
| Trip | Colorado | New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $21.90 | $16 |
| 3 days | $40.16 | $34 |
| 7 days | $76.68 | $58 |
| 1 year | $136.77 | $94 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $57.63 | $39 |
| Prices for | 2026-27 | 2026-27 |
Rules side by side
| Colorado | New Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 12 |
| Senior residents | Resident senior annual fishing license (64+): $12.96 (ages 64+) | Resident annual fishing license, 70 and older (free): Free (ages 70+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | Annual Habitat Stamp: $12.76 | Habitat Management and Access Validation (HMAV): $4 Habitat Management and Access Validation (HMAV): $4 |
| Next free fishing day | Not yet announced | Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license | Not applicable |
| License on your phone | Accepted | – |
| Annual licenses last | To March 31 | To 03-31 |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Colorado fishing license · New Mexico fishing license
Shared waters
Navajo Reservoir (Colorado–New Mexico) (Colorado rules)
About two-thirds of the reservoir is in New Mexico. You need a New Mexico fishing license to fish that part; it can be bought online before your visit. Official source
Other border waters (Colorado rules)
We couldn't find any license-sharing agreement with neighboring states on Colorado's official pages, and FishingBooker says there are none. Near the Wyoming, Nebraska, Utah or New Mexico lines, stay on the Colorado side or carry the other state's license too. Secondary source: FishingBooker: Colorado Fishing License guide
Limits for fish found in both states
Guide only. Statewide rules; many waters have their own. Check each state's official rules before you keep a fish.
| Fish | Colorado | New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass |
Largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass |
Largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass |
| Trout |
bag 4 in total (8 in possession) |
Trout and kokanee (brown, brook, rainbow, Gila, kokanee) Lake trout |
| Walleye |
Walleye, saugeye and sauger |
14" minimum (per the department's warm water page); bag 5 |
| Crappie |
bag 20 in total |
No minimum; bag 20 |
| Catfish |
Channel, blue and flathead catfish |
Catfish (channel, blue, flathead) Bluegill, sunfish, bullheads and other warm water fish |
| Northern pike |
bag No limit |
No minimum; bag 10 |
| Yellow perch |
bag 20 (East of the Continental Divide; 1 more) |
No minimum; bag 30 |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Tiger muskie |
Tiger muskie |
| Salmon |
Kokanee salmon |
Trout and kokanee (brown, brook, rainbow, Gila, kokanee) Kokanee (snagging season) |
Questions
Is a Colorado fishing license valid in New Mexico?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Navajo Reservoir (Colorado–New Mexico); Other border waters.
Which is cheaper for visitors, Colorado or New Mexico?
1 day (fresh water): Colorado $21.90, New Mexico $16. 1 year (fresh water): Colorado $136.77, New Mexico $94.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Colorado and New Mexico?
You need a license from age 16 in Colorado and from 12 in New Mexico.