The clock is ticking on one of the easiest fishing stops in Carson National Forest country. The Red River City Ponds, right in the town of Red River, are open to fishing from March 1 through November 15, according to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. That leaves about a month from mid-October to make a last visit before the ponds close for the season.
The two ponds come with different rules, and knowing which is which matters before a line goes in the water. The middle pond is open only to anglers 12 years of age and younger and to anglers and individuals with disabilities who hold a Handicapped Fishing License. The large pond is open with no age restrictions. Those distinctions make the ponds a particularly family-friendly setup: younger anglers get water of their own, while everyone else can fish the large pond nearby.
Fall is a fine time to use that setup. Cooler mountain weather settles over Red River in October, summer crowds have thinned, and a pond outing can fit neatly into a day built around town, a scenic drive on the Enchanted Circle, or a short hike in the surrounding Carson National Forest. Because the ponds sit in town, they also work well for beginners and for anglers who want a relaxed hour or two of fishing without a long drive on a forest road or a hike to a backcountry lake.
A little preparation helps. Anglers should check the current New Mexico fishing rules for the ponds before they go, confirm license requirements for everyone in the group, and respect the age and license limits on the middle pond. Tackle can stay simple for pond fishing, and shore anglers should arrive prepared for cold mornings and bright midday sun at Red River's high elevation. Packing out line, hooks and trash keeps the shoreline clean for the next family and for the wildlife that visits the water.
One nearby water should not be confused with the city ponds. The separate Red River Hatchery Pond carries its own, more restrictive rules, reserved for younger and older anglers and anglers with disabilities, with no boats or flotation devices allowed. Anyone planning to fish there instead should check its specific listing in the state rules rather than assuming the city pond rules apply.
After November 15, pond anglers will have to wait until March 1 for the next season. Until then, the message is simple: pick a mild fall day, check the rules, bring the family, and enjoy one of northern New Mexico's most accessible fishing spots while the season is still open.