Trout Fly Fishing on the Pecos River

Some of the best trout fishing abounds within the Pecos River. The river access starts ¼ mile north of the Pecos Place. At an elevation of approximately 7500 feet, summer temperatures vary from 40 to 70 degrees with warm days and cool nights. There are 20 high country lakes and 150 miles of fishing streams with Cutthroat, Rainbow, Brook and German Brown trout to test the skills of the fishermen.

Situated in the Pecos Canyon, the Cowles Ponds are right next to the Pecos River and are surrounded by coniferous forests and grassy meadows. Uses: fishing. Facilities: vault toilet at adjacent trailhead and trash bins. NO WATER. Special Instructions: There are 2 ponds, a larger one, which was dredged and deepened in 2011, and is available to all anglers with a current NM fishing license, and a smaller pond open only to those 12 years of age and under and persons with disabilities. Both ponds are stocked periodically by the NMDGF with Brown and Rainbow Trout. To find out when the ponds were last stocked, or when the next stocking might be, please contact the NMDGF at the Pecos fish hatchery (505-757-6360).

Cowles Campground sits at the base of the Winsor Canyon where it meets the Pecos Canyon and is in walking distance of Cowles Ponds, Winsor Creek, Pecos River, and Winsor Ridge Trailhead. Uses: tent camping, picnicking, fishing, & hiking. Facilities: 1 vault toilet, 9 camping units.

The Pecos River originates in 20 miles northeast of Santa Fe, New Mexico and flows into Texas, emptying into the Rio Grande at Lake Amistad. Its headwaters are on the eastern slope of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range in Mora County north of Pecos, NM, at an elevation of over 12,000 feet feet.

The Pecos Wilderness

The Wilderness encompasses approximately 230,000 acres. The Pecos Wilderness is located in both the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests. It is one of the 54 units designated in the Wilderness Act on 1964 as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Primitive conditions are preserved for the use, enjoyment and spiritual refreshment of people visiting the area. Travel is therefore limited to foot or horseback only. There are no roads, homes, developed campsites, timber cutting, or commercial uses allowed.