Fishing at Tingley Beach

Tingley Beach has three fishing ponds which are stocked about every two weeks by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Visit the New Mexico Game and Fish website for stocking and fishing reports, complete fishing rules  and other information.

• Read about changes in the bag limit and possission limit at Tingley Beach. The bag limit is now 4 trout and the possession limit is also now 4 trout for the Children's and Central Ponds. The change went into effect on June 15, 2009.

Fishing Licenses and Rules

Fishing Ponds at Tingley

Weekly Fishing Report

Annual Free Fishing Derby

Fishing Licenses and Rules

The fishing year is April 1 to March 31. All anglers 12 and over must have a fishing license in their possession. Vendor fees are $1 per license. All the licenses listed below may be purchased at Tingley Outfitters.

*Required for anglers ages 12 - 69 for fishing on Forest Service and BLM lands.

** Must be purchased separately by all anglers, hunters and trappers age 18 - 69. 100% disabled veterans are exempt.

• Most guests select the annual package for a total of $35.00 for NM residents.
  (Includes the Annual Fishing License, the mandatory Habitat Management and Access Validation, the Habitat Improvement Stamp and the Vendor Fee.)

• A one-day fishing license for Tingley Beach can be purchased for a total of $17.00.
  (Includes the One-Day Fishing License, the mandatory Habitat Management and Access Validation, and the Vendor Fee.)

Basic Rules for Tingley Fishing Ponds

• You are responsible for knowing and understanding New Mexico fishing rules .
• Bag limit for trout is four fish per day; bag limit for catfish is two fish per day.
• Live bait fish may NOT be used or released into the lakes. This includes, but is not restricted to, minnows, tadpoles and goldfish.
• Chumming is prohibited.
• Pole fishing only - no trotlines. A Second Rod Validation may be purchased with your fishing license, but bag limits remain the same.
• Take your catch home to clean it.

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Fishing Ponds at Tingley

The Children's Pond and the Central Pond

• The Children's Pond is for kids age 12 and younger ONLY. Adults may accompany their child but may not fish this pond themselves.
• The Central Pond is for all ages and has a ramp for wheel chair access. Preference is given to adults and children fishing with mobile disabilities.
• Both ponds are stocked with rainbow trout in the winter and channel catfish in the summer.
• Bag limit for trout is four fish per day. Bag limit for catfish is two fish per day. Tingley Beach is a Special Summer Catfish Water.
• Live worms and insects and artificial bait may be used in these two ponds.

The South Pond

• The South Pond is a Special Trout Water, catch and release only.
• Stocked with rainbow trout year-round.
• NO LIVE OR ARTIFICIAL BAIT ALLOWED. Flies and lures with single barbless hooks only.
• Practice responsible catch and release practices:
  • Release the fish as quickly as possible.
  • Keep the fish in the water while gently removing the hook. Handling the fish out of water will remove some of its protective slime, making it vulnerable to sickness.
  • Don’t drag the fish over rocks or in the sand.

 

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Annual Free Fishing Derby

The 3rd annual Tingley Beach Free Fishing Derby was enjoyed by over 2000 participants on March 14th.

Louis Maestas of Albuquerque caught the first golden trout of the Derby and chose the Reddington fly rod donated by Charlie's Sporting Goods as his prize.

Ten other anglers who caught golden trout quickly grabbed up the $25 gift certificates donated by Sportsman's Warehouse.

Other prizes claimed included a backpacking fishing reel/rod combo, spin rod/reel combos donated by Sportsman's Warehouse and Charlie's Sporting Goods, numerous fly rods donated by Sportsman's Warehouse and Los Pinos Fly Shop, and spinning reels donated by Quality Baits.

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