It’s a fishing day

San Juan River below Navajo Dam fishing conditions · New Mexico

Tomorrow, 1 am–11 amRainbow trout

The bite peaks at 78. Water is 51°, inside their 45–68° range, and a solunar period lands on the window.

Log a trip here
Right now: 78 for rainbow trout, worth the tripTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Rainbow trout, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 782 pm
  2. 78
  3. 78
  4. 785 pm
  5. 68
  6. 68
  7. 688 pm
  8. 68
  9. 68
  10. 6811 pm
  11. 68Sun
  12. 78
  13. 782 am
  14. 78
  15. 78
  16. 785 am
  17. 78
  18. 78
  19. 788 am
  20. 78
  21. 78
  22. 6811 am
  23. 78
  24. 78
  25. 782 pm
  26. 78
  27. 78
  28. 785 pm
  29. 68
  30. 68
  31. 688 pm
  32. 68
  33. 68
  34. 6811 pm
  35. 68Mon
  36. 68
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now

Water
51°F

Rainbow trout range 45–68°

Wind
5 mph

From the west

Flow
192 cfs

falling · -16% in 24 h

Light
Daylight

Sunset 5:07 pm

Sky
Sunny

No rain expected

Air
58°F

NWS hourly forecast

Moon
5% lit

Waning crescent

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are New Mexico non-tidal regulations for these waters.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

78Worth the tripTomorrow, 1 am–11 am

Water

51°
35°45–68° · ideal 55°78°

Why

Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Inside rainbow trout's active range. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

no harvest

Catch and release only today. Catch-and-release only, artificial flies or lures with a single barbless hook, no more than 2 flies or lures per line. Below the Crusher Hole the statewide 5-trout limit applies.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · San Juan River, Navajo Dam to the Crusher Hole (Red Chile Special Trout Water)

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Feb–Dec, from this spot’s water-temperature record, 2023–2025. More on rainbow trout

Brown Trout

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

78Worth the tripTomorrow, 1 am–11 am

Water

51°
35°45–68° · ideal 55°78°

Why

Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Inside brown trout's active range. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

no harvest

Catch and release only today. Catch-and-release only, artificial flies or lures with a single barbless hook, no more than 2 flies or lures per line. Below the Crusher Hole the statewide 5-trout limit applies.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · San Juan River, Navajo Dam to the Crusher Hole (Red Chile Special Trout Water)

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Feb–Dec, from this spot’s water-temperature record, 2023–2025. More on brown trout

The water

  • Water temperature51°F
  • River192 cfs · falling · -16% in 24 h
  • Barometer30.20 inHg

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunset today5:07 pm
  • Sunrise tomorrow6:41 am
  • MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
  • Minor solunarToday 3:40 pm–4:40 pm
  • Major solunarTonight 10:10 pm–12:10 am
  • Minor solunarTomorrow 5:50 am–6:50 am

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. New Mexico Game & Fish publishes a report for the state.

Licenses and rules: New Mexico Dept. of Game & Fish · trout stocking · fish-consumption advisories

About this spot

A world-class tailwater in New Mexico’s high desert below Navajo Dam, where stable, cold, nutrient-rich releases grow enormous numbers of trophy rainbow and brown trout. The first few miles — the Texas Hole and the Quality Water — fish year-round and rank among the most productive trout water in the Southwest.

Navajo Dam to the Crusher Hole (3.75 miles) is Red Chile Special Trout Water: catch-and-release only, single barbless fly or lure, no more than 2 per line, no bait or chumming. Below it the statewide 5-trout limit applies.

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Navajo Lake1 mi · New MexicoBest tomorrow 12 am–10 am
68Marginal

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at San Juan River below Navajo Dam?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at San Juan River below Navajo Dam you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at San Juan River below Navajo Dam?

San Juan River below Navajo Dam is listed on this site for 2 commonly-targeted species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at San Juan River below Navajo Dam?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at San Juan River below Navajo Dam against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does San Juan River below Navajo Dam have?

San Juan River below Navajo Dam has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Navajo Dam to the Crusher Hole (3.75 miles) is Red Chile Special Trout Water: catch-and-release only, single barbless fly or lure, no more than 2 per line, no bait or chumming. Below it the statewide 5-trout limit applies.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at San Juan River below Navajo Dam?

state agency regulations apply at San Juan River below Navajo Dam. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is San Juan River below Navajo Dam tidal water?

No. San Juan River below Navajo Dam is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.