The 10 Biggest Trophy Fish Ever Caught in New Mexico

Although much of New Mexico is covered in arid desert and timberland forests, there are a few noteworthy fishing spots. Elephant Butte Reservoir is the largest in New Mexico, created by damming the Rio Grande River. Both the reservoir and the river are home to some of the biggest trophy fish in the state. Continue reading to learn about the largest catches in New Mexico of 10 different popular game fish species.

10. Walleye

Walleye (Sander vitreus, synonym Stizostedion vitreum) typically measure 14 to 17 inches long and weigh 1 to 5 pounds. Females are larger than males, and Southern populations grow faster and larger. In New Mexico, the biggest walleye ever caught weighed 16 pounds 9 ounces, pulled from Clayton Lake in 1989. G. L. Peppers, the angler who caught the fish, still holds the record today.

9. Brown Trout

Brown trout (Salmo trutta) are native to Europe, West Asia, and North Africa, but have been introduced globally because they are a popular game fish. They were first introduced into the United States on April 11, 1884, into the Baldwin River. Brown trout typically measure 1 to 1.8 feet long and weigh 1 to 5 pounds. The record size for brown trout in New Mexico is 20 pounds 4 ounces and 2.9 feet long. It was caught by C.T. Colgrove in the Chama River in 1946.

8. Lake Trout

Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) are prized as both food fish and game fish. They are native to Northern North America and have been introduced throughout the rest of the continent. On average, lake trout measure 2 to 3 feet long and weigh 10 to 12 pounds. The largest lake trout in New Mexico weighed 31 pounds 6 ounces. It was caught by Paul Casias in 1999 at Heron Lake, which is north of Albuquerque and near the state’s border with Colorado.

7. Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are native to the tributary streams and rivers of the North Pacific Ocean, and beginning in 1875, have been introduced throughout the United States and the rest of the World. Freshwater specimens typically measure 1.7 to 2.5 feet in length and weigh 2 to 8 pounds. The largest rainbow trout caught in New Mexico weighed 31 pounds 12.5 ounces. It was caught by Peter Romero at Santa Cruz Lake in 1999.

6. Tiger Muskellunge

Tiger muskellunge (Esox masquinongy × lucius or Esox lucius × masquinongy) are the hybrid offspring of true muskellunge (E. masquinongy) and Northern pike (E. lucius). These hybrids are usually sterile, but they grow 1.5 times faster than their parent muskies and have better immunity against disease. They typically measure 2.5 to 3.3 feet long and weigh 10 to 20 pounds. The largest tiger muskie caught in New Mexico weighed 31 pounds 14 ounces and measured 4.7 feet long, making it the longest fish ever caught in the state. It was caught by Justin Easley in 2012 at Bluewater Lake.

5. Northern Pike

Northern pike (Esox lucius) are freshwater fish found throughout the entire Northern Hemisphere. They typically measure 1.3 to 1.8 feet long and weigh 3.5 to 7.5 pounds, with Eurasian populations being the largest. The New Mexican record for the largest Northern Pike is a tie between Samuel Roy and Paul Casias, with both of their catches weighing 36 pounds and measuring 4.4 feet long. Roy caught his record pike at Miami Lake in 1974, and Casias caught his at Springer Lake 4 years later in 1978.

4. Channel Catfish

Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) are native to North America, where they are the most common species of catfish. They measure an average of 1 to 1.6 feet long and, on average, weigh 2 to 4 pounds. The largest channel catfish caught in New Mexico weighed 36 pounds, 8 ounces. It was caught by Julie Kulhan in 1999 at Stubblefield Lake. Stubblefield Lake is near the Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge, northeast of Santa Fe.

3. Blue Catfish

Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) are the largest catfish species in North America. However, the flathead catfish holds the record for the largest catfish caught in New Mexico. Blue catfish typically measure 2 to 3.8 feet long and weigh 3 to 40 pounds. The largest specimen caught in New Mexico weighed 52 pounds, 0.25 ounces. David Gower caught the fish in 2005 at Elephant Butte Reservoir.

2. Striped Bass

The striped bass (Morone saxatilis) is native to the Atlantic coast of North America and has been introduced throughout the rest of the continent. On average, they measure 1.6 to 2.9 feet long and weigh 10 to 30 pounds. The largest specimen caught in New Mexico weighed 54 pounds, 8 ounces. It was caught by Jim Secor in 1992 at Elephant Butte Reservoir.

1. Flathead Catfish

Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) are native to the lower Great Lakes region down to Northern Mexico. The species has been widely introduced and is considered an invasive species in some locations. They typically measure 1.25 to 3.75 feet long and weigh 2 to 50 pounds. The largest flathead cat caught in New Mexico is also the largest of any fish species caught in the state. This specimen weighed 78 pounds and was caught by Jim Wilson in 1979 at Elephant Butte Reservoir.