Learn more about Aquatic Invasive Species at www.protectyourwaters.net
The Third Annual Santa Fe River Festival and Fishing Derby will be held on Saturday June 6th. The Festival will be from 10:00 am-- 3:00 pm at De Vargas Park in downtown Santa Fe. With river activities, live animals, games, crafts for youth and adults, river walks, music, and watershed-related booths by non-profit groups, community organizations and local government there will be something for the whole family. Children 11 years and under are also invited to participate in the Fishing Derby in the Santa Fe River from 6:00 am - 12:00 pm. The City of Santa Fe and New Mexico Game and Fish will be stocking the river with rainbow trout. Children can try and catch one of the specially tagged trout to win a prize.
The Bureau of Reclamation has finalized this year's scheduled spring peak release from Navajo Reservoir. The release was increased Tuesday, May 26, 2009, by 1000 cfs per day until a peak release of 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) is reached on Monday, June 1st. The release will stay at 5,000 cfs for seven days. On Monday, June 8th, the release will begin to be decreased until it reaches 500 cfs on Friday June 12th where it will remain until further notice.
A new change to the Game Commission rule regarding trespassing and poaching went into effect April 1, 2009. The exact wording in the new statutes are listed below. Remember that New Mexico state law gives ownership of the streambed to the landowner, and you cannot access the stream as there is no "high water mark" law here. This is an important change; prior to April 1 anglers and hunters were restricted only by the criminal trespass law with its posting or notification requirements. Now if one knows a place is private, the activity of fishing/hunting/trapping itself, not just the entry to the property, is illegal. The authority to seize game taken in violation of this rule is also new.
19.31.10.18 UNLAWFUL TAKING OR KILLING OF GAME ANIMALS, FURBEARERS, GAME BIRDS, OR GAME FISH ON PRIVATE LAND:
A. It shall be unlawful to hunt, capture, take, attempt to take, or kill any game animal, furbearer, game bird, or game fish on any private property that is in compliance with 30-14-1 and 30-14-6 NMSA 1978 posting requirements without possessing written permission from the landowner or person in control of the land or trespass rights, unless otherwise permitted in rule or statute.
B. It shall be unlawful to hunt, capture, take, attempt to take, or kill any game animal, furbearer, game bird, or game fish on private property if the consent to enter or remain has been denied or withdrawn by the owner or person in control of the land or trespass rights, per 30-14-1 NMSA 1978, unless otherwise permitted in rule or statute.
C. It shall be unlawful to knowingly enter upon any private property to hunt, capture, take, attempt to take, or kill any game animal, furbearer, game bird, or game fish without possessing written permission from the landowner or person in control of the land or trespass rights unless otherwise permitted in rule or statute.
D. Any game animals, furbearers, game birds, or game fish taken in violation of this section shall be subject to seizure.[19.31.10.18 NMAC - N, 4-1-2009]
Pecos National Historical Park hosts 3 miles of fishing opportunity along the Pecos River. Three fishing seasons have been established for 2009. The Fishing Program at Pecos National Historical Park had been suspended during the high water of spring runoff. The Summer season begins Thursday June 18th and ends Monday August 3rd. We will begin accepting reservations for the Summer season beginning May 18. The Fall season begins Thursday September 3rd and ends Monday November 2nd. We will begin accepting reservations for the Fall season beginning August 3. Anglers will be provided the opportunity to fish the Pecos River within the park Thursdays through Mondays; 8:30am-3pm in the Spring and Fall seasons. The Summer season will provide the opportunity to fish the Pecos River within the park Thursdays through Mondays, 8:30am-4:30pm. To make reservations to fish there, visit the Park's website at http://www.nps.gov/peco/planyourvisit/fishing.htm or call 505-757-7272.
