New Mexico
Red River below fish hatchery near Questa
Current River Rating
Poor · 36
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Low confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Limited opportunity
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is recommended while current river conditions remain Poor.
Why
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Cautions
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout. Verify with a stream thermometer; this is not a measured water temperature.
Timing Evidence
Dawn low light is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 29.4 CFS
- Gage Height
- 4.36 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 6:45 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 08266820 · 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
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Overcast
Temperature
67°F
Feels like
62°F
Wind
10 mph S
Wind gust
17 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 4, 2026, 11:15 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
Sat 2 AM
Partly cloudy
Temp 62°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 6 AM
Clear
Temp 59°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Sat 10 AM
Clear
Temp 72°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 2 PM
Overcast
Temp 84°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 6 PM
Overcast
Temp 81°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 10 PM
Overcast
Temp 71°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 84°F / Low 58°F
Chance 10%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Drizzle
High 86°F / Low 62°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.01 in
Max gust 30 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Drizzle
High 78°F / Low 59°F
Chance 37%
Precip 0.05 in
Max gust 24 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
Red River below fish hatchery near Questa, New Mexico. Monitoring-Backed via accepted air-derived river-trout path from USGS 08266820 (live discharge and stage; no current 00010). Distinct from Red River near Questa 08265000.
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
Fishery overview
The Red River below the state fish hatchery near Questa is the public Special Trout Water from the hatchery walking bridge down to the Rio Grande confluence. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 08266820 (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. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only. Flow Context remains default-deny. Distinct from the upstream Questa gauge 08265000 and from the Rio Grande gorge ID.
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
NMDOW Red River STW below the state hatchery: rainbow and brown trout. USGS 08266820. Distinct from Red River near Questa 08265000.
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
NMDOW Red River STW below the state hatchery: rainbow and brown trout. USGS 08266820. Distinct from Red River near Questa 08265000.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Hatchery-influenced mountain trout river between Red River State Fish Hatchery and the Rio Grande, Taos 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, Red River State Fish Hatchery access, and Carson National Forest. Catalog coordinates are the USGS below-hatchery point. This is not Taos Pueblo water.
Stocking information
NMDOW Red River State Fish Hatchery supports this reach. Confirm current official stocking. Do not invent a calendar.
Official sources
NMDOW 2026–27 Special Trout Water: Red River from its confluence with the Rio Grande upstream to the lower walking bridge at Red River State Fish Hatchery. Distinct from Red River near Questa 08265000. Confirm current NMDOW STW designation. Do not invent trout CFS.
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
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