New Mexico
San Juan River below Navajo Dam
Current River Rating
Fair · 54
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 · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Consider
Recommended Window
Sunday, 6:00 AM–9:00 AM
Why
- Air temperature is comfortable for a river trout trip.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: High
Current Readings
- Flow
- 859 CFS
- Gage Height
- 4.71 ft
- Water Temperature
- 46.4 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:15 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 09355500 · 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
Clear
Temperature
66°F
Feels like
64°F
Wind
3 mph N
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
Clear
Temp 65°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 6 AM
Clear
Temp 61°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 10 AM
Clear
Temp 75°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 2 PM
Clear
Temp 86°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 12 mph
Sat 6 PM
Overcast
Temp 85°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 11 mph
Sat 10 PM
Clear
Temp 71°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 86°F / Low 60°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Drizzle
High 91°F / Low 62°F
Chance 13%
Precip 0.07 in
Max gust 30 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Showers
High 83°F / Low 63°F
Chance 20%
Precip 0.32 in
Max gust 22 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 87°F / Low 63°F
Chance 10%
Precip 0.00 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
San Juan River below Navajo Dam, New Mexico. Monitoring-Backed from USGS 09355500 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). Distinct from Farmington 09365000 and Utah Bluff 09379500.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at San Juan 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 San Juan below Navajo Dam is New Mexico’s flagship tailwater trout fishery — the Quality Waters / Special Trout Water from the dam downstream 3.75 miles to Crusher Hole Day Use Area. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 09355500 San Juan River near Archuleta (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). Rainbow and brown trout are the selector species. This is not Navajo Lake and not the Utah San Juan near Bluff. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only. Flow Context remains default-deny — no invented Quality Waters CFS band. Distinct from Farmington 09365000 and Shiprock 09368000.
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
NMDOW San Juan Quality Waters: rainbow and brown trout are the sport fish. USGS 09355500 near Archuleta. Distinct from Farmington 09365000, Utah Bluff 09379500, and Navajo Lake. Rio Grande cutthroat trout are New Mexico’s state fish and are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID. They may appear in overview and regulation caution only.
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
NMDOW San Juan Quality Waters: rainbow and brown trout are the sport fish. USGS 09355500 near Archuleta. Distinct from Farmington 09365000, Utah Bluff 09379500, and Navajo Lake. Rio Grande cutthroat trout are New Mexico’s state fish and are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID. They may appear in overview and regulation caution only.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Cold hypolimnetic Navajo Dam tailwater through Navajo Lake State Park, San Juan County, New Mexico.
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 Navajo Lake State Park river access (Texas Hole, Crusher Hole, and related day-use sites). Catalog coordinates are the USGS Archuleta point, not a launch pin. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. This ID is not Navajo Nation water at Shiprock.
Stocking information
NMDOW and partners manage the Quality Waters as a trout tailwater. Confirm current official notices. Do not invent a stocking calendar.
Official sources
NMDOW 2026–27 Special Trout Water: San Juan River from Navajo Dam downstream 3.75 miles to Crusher Hole Day Use Area. Artificial flies and lures with a single barbless hook; it is illegal to fish with more than two flies or lures on a single line; all trout must be immediately released in this STW. Fishing from the boat ramps at Crusher Hole and Texas Hole is unlawful. Distinct from Farmington 09365000, Utah Bluff 09379500, and Navajo Lake. Do not invent trout CFS. Confirm current NMDOW rules.
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
San Juan, 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
San Juan
Management Category
Tailwater trout river
Regulation Scope
San Juan River below Navajo Dam / Quality Waters to Crusher Hole
Regulation Summary
San Juan River below Navajo Dam: NMDOW Special Trout Water (Quality Waters) plus Navajo Lake State Park. Confirm current NMDOW Fishing Rules and Information.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, brown-trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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