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Fishing Rio Grande (Taos): what the data says
John Dunn Bridge to Pilar. gorge browns, cuttbows and northern pike in the slow water. The river tops out around 10 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Brown Trout fishing at Rio Grande (Taos)
Start shallow in spring: brown trout sit in 1 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 10 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 6.2): a current seam around 6 ft that scores prime in summer. Plan around after dark and early morning in the warm months. A spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | night & dawn | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 2 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 1 to 10 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
Rainbow Trout fishing at Rio Grande (Taos)
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 3 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 10 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 6.2): a current seam around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 2 to 10 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Northern Pike fishing at Rio Grande (Taos)
Spring northern pike on Rio Grande (Taos) hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 3 to 10 ft in summer and finish the year down in 3 to 10 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Orilla Verde slack water: a weed flat around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Notable structure
- Outside-bend hole (mile 4.4): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 10.0): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 13.7): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 15.9): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Current seam (mile 6.2): current seam, around 6 ft
- Current seam (mile 8.1): current seam, around 6 ft
- Orilla Verde slack water: weed flat, around 4 ft
- Riffle & run (mile 0.6): rock pile, around 4 ft
- Riffle & run (mile 2.5): rock pile, around 4 ft
- Riffle & run (mile 11.8): rock pile, around 4 ft
Common questions
How deep is Rio Grande (Taos)?
Rio Grande (Taos) is about 10 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Rio Grande (Taos)?
Anglers target northern pike, rainbow trout, brown trout on Rio Grande (Taos).
Where is the best fishing spot on Rio Grande (Taos)?
Current seam (mile 6.2) is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Rio Grande (Taos)?
For brown trout, the summer bite is best in after dark and early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.