New Mexico

Cimarron River below Eagle Nest Dam

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Current River Rating

Fair · 58

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 · Low confidence

Should I Go?

Wait

Timing Outlook

This timing outlook is informational only; current river conditions remain Fair.

Why

  • Current conditions do not support a reliable fishing window.
  • Water temperature is unavailable.

Favorable Factors

  • Recent precipitation has been light.
  • Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.

Current Readings

Flow
17.9 CFS
Gage Height
0.63 ft
Water Temperature
Not available
Observation Time
Sep 5, 2026, 7:15 AM

Updated recently · USGS station 07206000 · Direct monitoring location

Readings from past 7 Days

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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

Short-term rainfall and flow-change signals

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Weather Near Gauge

Current Weather

Overcast

Temperature

57°F

Feels like

54°F

Wind

2 mph SW

Wind gust

3 mph

Current precipitation

0.00 in

Updated

Sep 5, 2026, 1:45 AM

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

  • Sat 2 AM

    Overcast

    Temp 56°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 1 mph

  • Sat 6 AM

    Clear

    Temp 52°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 1 mph

  • Sat 10 AM

    Partly cloudy

    Temp 69°F

    Chance 1%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 4 mph

  • Sat 2 PM

    Overcast

    Temp 78°F

    Chance 29%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 4 mph

  • Sat 6 PM

    Overcast

    Temp 74°F

    Chance 14%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 2 mph

  • Sat 10 PM

    Overcast

    Temp 63°F

    Chance 3%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 1 mph

Four-Day Forecast

  • Sat, Sep 5

    Overcast

    High 80°F / Low 52°F

    Chance 29%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Max gust 11 mph

  • Sun, Sep 6

    Drizzle

    High 80°F / Low 54°F

    Chance 32%

    Precip 0.13 in

    Max gust 13 mph

  • Mon, Sep 7

    Drizzle

    High 77°F / Low 55°F

    Chance 26%

    Precip 0.02 in

    Max gust 18 mph

  • Tue, Sep 8

    Drizzle

    High 78°F / Low 55°F

    Chance 52%

    Precip 0.02 in

    Max gust 13 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

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Fishing Overview

Cimarron River below Eagle Nest Dam, New Mexico. Monitoring-Backed via accepted air-derived river-trout path from USGS 07206000 (live discharge and stage; no current 00010). Distinct from Cimarron near Cimarron 07207000 and from Eagle Nest Lake.

Fishery Profile

Documented species you may encounter at Cimarron River.

High confidenceLast verified: Aug 22, 2026

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

Fishery overview

The Cimarron below Eagle Nest Dam is the public Cimarron Canyon trout tailwater, including the NMDOW Special Trout Water from the east end of Tolby Campground downstream 1.4 miles. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 07206000 (live discharge and stage) using the accepted air-derived river-trout thermal path — this gauge has no current water-temperature parameter. Rainbow and brown trout are the selector species. This is not Eagle Nest Lake. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only. Flow Context remains default-deny.

Target species

  • Rainbow Trout

    Oncorhynchus mykiss

    Expectation
    Primary
    Population
    Unknown
    Native status
    introduced
    Confidence
    High confidence

    NMDOW Cimarron Canyon below Eagle Nest Dam: rainbow and brown trout. USGS 07206000. Distinct from 07207000 and from Eagle Nest Lake.

    Source: New Mexico Department of Wildlife

  • Brown Trout

    Salmo trutta

    Expectation
    Common
    Population
    Wild
    Native status
    introduced
    Confidence
    High confidence

    NMDOW Cimarron Canyon below Eagle Nest Dam: rainbow and brown trout. USGS 07206000. Distinct from 07207000 and from Eagle Nest Lake.

    Source: New Mexico Department of Wildlife

Fishery characteristics

Composition
Mixed wild and stocked
Great Lakes tributary
No
Flow regime
Tailwater

Eagle Nest Dam tailwater through Cimarron Canyon State Park, Colfax County.

Best seasons

  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall

Common techniques

  • Dry flies
  • Fly fishing
  • Nymphing
  • Shore fishing
  • Spinning
  • Streamers

Access and Public Fishing Rights

Public fishing is documented by NMDOW Special Trout Water rules and Cimarron Canyon State Park / US 64 corridor access. Catalog coordinates are the USGS below-dam point. This is not Eagle Nest Lake and not a tribal fishery.

Stocking information

NMDOW manages Cimarron Canyon as a trout tailwater. Confirm current official stocking. Do not invent a calendar.

Official sources

NMDOW 2026–27 Special Trout Water: Cimarron River from the east end of Tolby Campground downstream 1.4 miles. This ID is the Eagle Nest Dam tailwater, not Cimarron River near Cimarron 07207000 and not Eagle Nest Lake (where northern pike have a keep-all rule). Do not invent trout CFS. Confirm current NMDOW pages.

Hatch Match

No destination-specific hatch data is currently available.

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

Colfax, New Mexico

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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

Colfax

Management Category

Tailwater trout river

Regulation Scope

Cimarron River below Eagle Nest Dam / Tolby STW

Regulation Summary

Cimarron River below Eagle Nest Dam: NMDOW Special Trout Water / Cimarron Canyon. Confirm current NMDOW Fishing Rules and Information.

Target Species

rainbow-trout, brown-trout

Access, Parking, and Regulations

Verified access notes and official resources for Cimarron River below Eagle Nest Dam. This is StrikeTracks guidance — always confirm with official sources.

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