The San Juan River in New Mexico offers consistent World Class Trout Fishing from the waters flowing out of Navajo Dam from the bottom of Navajo Reservoir and Trout anglers know that the world-renowned San Juan River is the place to go for both rainbow and brown trout. The section of riteh San Juan river below the Navajo Dam has been known for its trophy-sized Trout.
The San Juan River is really known for fly fishing for rainbow trout, which is consistently good as these trout constantly eat nonstop …and grow large. The San Juan river water temperatures stay within the 42-46 degrees that Rainbow and Brown trout thrive in all year round.
At the San Juan River, studies have indicated there may be over 15,000 fish per mile and average between 16 and 18 inches. Wow!
Popular Types of Fish at San Juan River
There's a wide variety of fish that is offered at the San Juan River such as rainbow trout, brown trout, cutbow trout, bass, carp and northern pike.
Fishing for trout in the quality waters try using a tiny size #24 and #26 dry flies can work, but more often nymphs and emergers do a better job. Midge nymph patterns, small olive bunny leech streamers, egg patterns and grey adult midge dry fly patterns.
You can also use PowerBait and salmon eggs when fishing for trout.
Highly Recommended Bait, Tackle & Gear
Directions to San Juan River
Visitors from around the world visit the area to fish the "Quality Waters" along the San Juan River and Navajo Lake State Park. Beginning just 3.75 miles downstream from Navajo Dam, the "Quality Waters" of San Juan River consists of a 3.5-mile section of the beautiful river where large amounts of rainbow trout, brown trout and cutthroat trout can be found year round here in New Mexico.
Navajo Dam is on the San Juan River, a tributary of the Colorado River, in northwestern New Mexico.
The first four miles of the San Juan River are designated by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Department as 'Quality Waters'.