Frequently Asked Questions
We ask that you please reschedule or cancel at least 3 days before the beginning of your appointment or you may be charged a cancellation fee.
You will not be charged a fee if cancelation or reschedule occurs at least 72 hours before current booking and a full refund will be issued if prepay.
No show for a booking will be charged the full amount of the services booked.
Any cancelation or reschedule that occurs within 72 hours of the original booking will be charged a cancelation fee and refunded the rest if prepaid.
We ask that you please reschedule or cancel at least 3 days before the beginning of your appointment.
You can book a guided fishing trip online by clicking the button below
or contacting us directly by phone at 505-485-8328.
Guided trips can only be booked online or over the phone, trips will not be booked through email.
For a guided fishing trip, you should bring appropriate clothing for the weather, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and any personal items you may need.
All anglers 12 and up will need a New Mexico fishing license which can be purchased online or in our shop. To view license pricing and purchase online click the button below.
*On all of our guided trips all fishing gear and equipment will be provided. For more details on what is included with our various guided trips visit our guided trips page.
Eagle Nest Fly Shack's guided fishing trips include all the necessary gear, equipment, and a few refreshments.
Here is a breakdown of what is typically included:
All Necessary Gear and Equipment: The guides provide all the necessary fishing gear, which means you do not need to pack your own:
Rods and reels
Waders and boots
Tackle (flies, bait, lures, etc.)
Food and Drink:
A small selection of snacks and water is provided on all trips.
Full-Day Trips specifically include a deli-style lunch.
Important Note on Licenses: A New Mexico Fishing License is NOT included in the cost of the trip and must be purchased separately before your adventure begins. You can purchase one online through New Mexico Game & Fish or in person at Eagle Nest Fly Shack.
Yes, all anglers aged 12 and up need a New Mexico fishing license for guided trips. Licenses can be purchased online or at our shop. Please ensure you have a valid license before your trip.
Yes, absolutely!
While the guides provide all the necessary gear and equipment (rods, reels, waders, tackle, or boots),you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
At Eagle Nest Fly Shack & Lodge we offer a range of guided fishing trips with varying durations to accommodate different schedules and fishing goals.
The most common durations are:
Quick Fix: 2 hours (typically a wading adventure on local rivers or the lake)
Half-Day: 4 hours
3/4 Day: 6 hours
Full-Day: 8 hours
This duration represents the actual time spent on the water and does not include the time it takes to travel to the fishing destination. We
offer trips for rivers, lake fishing, and ice fishing (seasonal).
If the weather is bad on the day of your guided fishing trip, we will either reschedule the trip or provide a full refund. Our guides will monitor the weather conditions and make a decision based on safety and comfort.
What is provided depends on the duration of your guided trip.
Snacks and Water: A small selection of snacks and water is provided on all trips (including the shorter half-day and quick fix trips).
Full Meal: A deli-style lunch is included on all full-day trips (typically 8 hours).
You are also welcome to bring any of your own special snacks or drinks.
Yes tag-alongs are welcome! Please note that the amount of tag-alongs that can be accommodated will vary based on your selected guided trip. Please reach out or note when you are booking if you are expecting any tag-alongs for your trip.
"Tag-Along" is an extra person/persons who accompanies the paying angler(s) but does not fish.
This person is usually a friend, partner, or family member who wants to share the experience, take photos, and spend time with the angler or guide on the water, but they will not be utilizing any of the fishing equipment or instruction.
After booking we will send you a digital guided trip info book to help you prepare for your guided trip.
In general to prepare for a guided fishing trip, ensure you have a valid fishing license, appropriate clothing, and any personal items you may need. Our guides will provide all necessary equipment and instructions.
The kind of fish you'll catch depends on which of the spectacular Northern New Mexico waters your Eagle Nest Fly Shack guide takes you to, as they guide on multiple lakes and rivers.
However, in general, you can expect to target various species of trout and salmon. The main fish you are likely to catch are:
Trout and Salmon Species (Rivers and Lake)
Rainbow Trout: Found in both the lake (often stocked) and the rivers (stocked and wild).
Brown Trout: Abundant, especially in the Cimarron River, which is known for its healthy population of wild brown trout. They are also found in the Red River and Eagle Nest Lake.
Cutthroat Trout: You may catch native Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout if fishing the Rio Costilla, or other strains like Snake River Cutthroat in the lake and Red River.
Kokanee Salmon: Eagle Nest Lake is one of the state's top fisheries for Kokanee Salmon, making them a primary target there, especially in the winter during ice fishing season.
Brook Trout: Less common, but can be found in the cooler, higher-elevation sections of the rivers like the Red River and Rio Costilla.
Other Species (Mainly Eagle Nest Lake)
If your guided trip is specifically on Eagle Nest Lake, you may also encounter:
Northern Pike: These are an aggressive, ambush predator. Anglers are often encouraged to keep them due to their predatory nature towards other gamefish.
Yellow Perch: A common panfish in the lake.
The Eagle Nest Fly Shack guides are experts on the local waters, including the Cimarron River, Red River, Rio Grande, Rio Costilla, and Eagle Nest Lake, and they will know exactly where to go for the best chance of a great catch depending on the time of year and current conditions.
The guided trips with Eagle Nest Fly Shack & Lodge are all-inclusive regarding the fishing equipment you need.
You can expect the following gear to be provided free of charge:
Rods and Reels: Premium rods and reels for your chosen style (fly fishing or conventional spinning/casting tackle).
Waders and Boots: If the trip involves wading (such as on a river trip), appropriate waders and boots will be provided.
Tackle and Flies: All necessary terminal tackle, including custom-tied flies, lures, bait, leaders, and tippet, are provided by your guide and are specific to the local waters and current conditions.
Specialized Equipment:
Lake Trips: You'll be on a comfortable pontoon boat equipped with modern fishing technology and a fish finder/live sonar.
Ice Fishing Trips (Seasonal): The guide provides an insulated/heated ice fishing tent, a gas-powered auger, and specialized ice fishing rods/reels.
Yes all of our River Trips are catch and release only and we offer catch and release guided fishing trips on Eagle Nest Lake. Our guides are knowledgeable about sustainable fishing practices and will ensure that fish are handled carefully and released back into the water safely.
At Eagle Nest Fly Shack, we do not have a minimum age requirement for our guided fishing trips. We believe that fishing can be an enjoyable and educational experience for people of all ages. However, we recommend that parents use their judgment to determine if a guided fishing trip is appropriate for their child. Factors such as the child's interest in fishing, ability to follow instructions, and comfort level in a boat or near water should be considered. Our experienced guides are skilled at creating a safe and enjoyable environment for all participants, making it a memorable family activity.
The best time to take a guided trip with Eagle Nest Fly Shack depends entirely on what you want to experience, as fishing is excellent year-round in the Northern New Mexico area.
Here is a breakdown of the highlights by season:
🥇 Fall (September – November):
Fall is often considered a good time for guided trips due to ideal weather and aggressive fish activity:
Brown Trout: Larger Brown Trout become very active and aggressive as they prepare to spawn, making them easier to target on the Cimarron River and other streams.
Kokanee Salmon: This is the prime time to target Kokanee Salmon in Eagle Nest Lake before they spawn, including the start of the snagging season.
Perfect Weather: The intense heat of summer is gone, the air is crisp, and the scenery is stunning with the changing Aspen leaves.
☀️ Summer (June – August): Best for Dry Fly & Access
Summer is the most popular time and offers wide-open access:
Dry Fly Action: The warmer months bring abundant insect hatches (like large stoneflies and terrestrials like hoppers), offering fantastic top-water dry fly fishing, especially on the Cimarron River.
Full Access: All high-mountain streams and alpine areas are fully accessible, and water flows are typically ideal after the spring runoff subsides (usually by early June).
Lake Boating: Excellent time for boat trips and trolling on Eagle Nest Lake.
❄️ Winter (December – February):
If you're looking for something unique and fewer crowds, winter is the time:
Ice Fishing: Eagle Nest Lake fully freezes over and becomes one of the premier spots in New Mexico for guided ice fishing trips, targeting Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon, and Northern Pike.
Tailwater Fishing: Rivers like the Rio Grande and Red River offer great tailwater fishing (water controlled by dams) where trout remain active, providing great solitude.
🌱 Spring (March – May):
Spring is a season of transition and excitement:
Active Fish: As the air and water temperatures rise, fish become very active and start aggressively feeding after the winter slowdown.
Ice-Out Frenzy: The period right after the ice melts off the lakes is often one of the best times to fish, as the trout haven't been pressured all winter.
No. As every angler knows, 'fishing is fishing!' Our guides are experts on these local waters and we guarantee 100% effort and the best local knowledge, but we can't promise the fish will always cooperate. The catch is never guaranteed, as fish activity is subject to environmental conditions. Despite our guides' deep expertise on these waters, sometimes the fish just aren't biting as expected. We'll utilize all our knowledge to maximize your opportunity, but we appreciate your understanding that nature is unpredictable
For River Trips : You will meet your guide at the Eagle Nest Fly Shack & Lodge at your scheduled guided trip time. The shop address is: 416 E Therma Dr, Eagle Nest, NM 87718.
For Guided Trips on Eagle Nest Lake): You will meet your guide at the lake itself. The specific meeting location (a "pinned location") will be sent to you in your guided trip info book included in your confirmation email and text message after you book your trip.
You should plan to tip your guide between 15% and 25% of the booked day rate.
This range is standard across the guided fishing industry.
Tipping Guidelines
Standard Rate: 15% to 20% for good service that meets expectations.
Exceptional Service: 20% to 25% if your guide went above and beyond in effort, instruction, and overall service.
Important Note: your tip should be based on your guide's diligence, friendliness, skill, willingness to teach, and overall effort—not solely on the number of fish you catch, as that is a factor the guide cannot fully control.
We strive to provide personalized and high-quality fishing experiences for all our guests.
For conventional tackle Eagle Nest Lake trips, the maximum number of anglers per guide/boat is 4.
If you are interested in a Northern Pike Hunt or fly fishing on the Eagle Nest Lake, we limit it to 3 anglers per guide/boat.
For our river trips, each guide can accommodate up to 3 anglers as well.
It's worth noting that tag-a-longs are free and do not count towards the per guide maximum. However, please keep in mind that the more anglers on the trip, the less one-on-one time you'll get with the guide.
**If you have a larger group, we can arrange for additional guides to ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience.