Summer is almost here, and that means there are lots of opportunities to get outside and enjoy all New Mexico has to offer!

Check out these upcoming events to get involved.

You can see all of the Department's upcoming events on our website.

Want to give fishing a try? Check it out for free!

Have you always wanted to drop a line in one of New Mexico's lakes, rivers or streams, but haven't had the chance? Are you and your kids looking for the opportunity to get outdoors and spend time together this summer? The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish's annual Free Fishing Weekend is the perfect time to get together with friends and family and experience all that New Mexico's waterways have to offer.

Fishing at Tingley Beach

The Department and its partners are excited to offer several opportunities statewide for you, your friends and family to get outside and give fishing a try on this Free Fishing Weekend. Here's just a sample of some of the events we have in store:

The Fifth Annual Outdoor Adventure Day, hosted by the Department and Corrales Parks and Recreation, starts at 7:30 a.m. and goes until 1:30 p.m. There is a fishing derby with prizes for anglers age 17 and under, as well as an archery range and a pellet gun range.

All you need to bring is your fishing gear and bait. Click here for more information.

The Department is also teaming up with the Las Cruces Police Department for the Fish with a Cop event from 8 a.m.-noon at Young Park.

This all-ages event will include fishing, skills stations, prizes, giveaways, food and music. Click here for more information.

Fishing w a Cop June 2025

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Department volunteers will also be on hand at the Route 66 Children’s Fishing Derby at Monastery Lake from 7 a.m.-noon. The event, hosted by the Village of Pecos along with the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division and the New Mexico Tourism Department’s Route 66 Centennial Grant Program, includes free fishing for all, prizes for kids, family-friendly activities, local vendors, food trucks and more.

Click here for more information.

All anglers can fish for free throughout New Mexico on June 7-8, though they must observe bag limits and all other rules and regulations. All the information you'll need is available on the Department's website. Wondering where to go? The Department's Weekly Fishing and Stocking Report and Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner can tell you where you're most likely to reel in the big one. 

Advanced Hunter Education Skills Camp

The Department is hosting an Advanced Hunter Education Skills Camp this summer at Wedding Cake Ranch near Folsom for youth age 10-17 who are accompanied by a registered adult, giving them the chance to gain valuable  hands-on experience.

Hunter Ed Camp

The free camp, which will take place June 27-29, will teach participants about safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. Participants will also learn from Department conservation officers about their jobs, including wildlife investigations, decoy operations and working with wildlife. They will also get to test their marksmanship skills with bows and arrows, .22 rifles and shotguns. All equipment will be provided by the Department.

Meals will be provided and participants will tent camp on the property.

Registration is currently open – click here to register. Spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Participants must have a Customer Identification Number account with the Department and complete required homework before attending.

An Update from the NASP Western Nationals

More than 100 school-age archers from New Mexico represented their schools at the annual National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP)

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Western Nationals tournament in Sandy, Utah, in late April, proving that New Mexico has some of the top archers in the western United States.

In the 3D tournament, Deming High School finished third out of 49 teams, racking up 1,696 total points – including 104 10s. Deming freshman Luis Armendarizwas the top-ranked ninth-grade boy in the competition, finishing second out of 315 total competitors in the high-school boys division with a score of 292. Deming sophomore Ashlynn McGinnis was second out of 315 competitors in the high-school girls division with a score of 292 as well, ranking as the highest-scoring 10th-grade girl in the tournament. Her teammate, Aerona Stewart, was 10th with a score of 283.

It was a weekend to remember for the archers from Deming, as Red Mountain Middle School brought home a third-place finish in the middle school division with 1,653 points. Rhiannon Ramos from SAMS Academy finished ninth in the middle-school girls division with a score of 281.

In the bullseye tournament, Rio Rancho High School freshman Sierra Murilloranked ninth of 392 competitors with a score of 288. Corrales K-8 School fifth-grader Hugo Hashagen was second in the elementary-school boys division with a score of 288, ranking him No. 1 out of 211 fifth-grade boys in the competition.

The NASP Championships, set for June 5-7 in Myrtle Beach, S.C., will wrap up the 2024-2025 season.

Be Safe on Your OHV!

New Mexico offers incredible opportunities for riders to enjoy their off-highway vehicle (OHV). However, the best way to ensure an enjoyable experience is to make sure everyone stays safe.

The Department's Off-Highway Vehicle Program is offering an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) safety class for students

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age 6 and up on June 21 from 8 a.m.-noon at Los Lunas River Park, in cooperation with the Los Lunas Open Space Division. Students will earn the safety permit that is required for OHV operators under age 18. ATVs and safety gear will be available for use during the class.

Space is limited – email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information on how to register. All students must have a Customer Identification Number account with the Department to register.

Get Involved!

The Department and the State Game Commission want to hear from you! You can help shape species management decisions by providing comment on upcoming proposals.

The Fisheries Management Division will host two virtual meetings regarding proposed revisions of the Fisheries Rule and the Manner and Method of Taking Rule during two upcoming virtual meetings. The first meeting is June 9 at 6 p.m. (click here to register) and the second is June 13 at 6 p.m. (click here to register). You can also comment via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Department is also seeking public comment on the State Wildlife Action Plan for New Mexico. The draft is available here and you can comment by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The State Game Commission's next meeting will take place on June 13 at 9 a.m. in Red River at the Red River Conference and Visitor Center. You can also register to attend the meeting via Zoom. with meetings also scheduled for Aug. 15 in Reserve and Nov. 7 in Los Alamos.

Upcoming Events