A view of the Benedictine Monastery Lake near the village of Pecos. Courtesy photo

New Mexico Department of Wildlife News:

PECOS — The Benedictine Monastery Lake, near the village of Pecos, has been freshly stocked with trout and has reopened for fishing. Monastery Lake is part of the New Mexico Department of Wildlife’s Open Gate Program. Visit the Department’s website for more information about this property here. 

If you are planning a fishing trip this spring, the Department has several tools available to help you. The Weekly Fishing Report provides up-to-date information on fishing conditions at numerous waterbodies across the state. The Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner is full of graphs depicting fishing conditions for several species and waterbodies throughout the year.

Additionally, the interactive Fishing Waters Map at the bottom of the Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner page contains a wealth of information on fishing locations in New Mexico, displaying hundreds of fishing access points with information on fish species available, facilities, accessibility, boat ramps and general regulations. 

Anglers are reminded that their 2025-2026 fishing licenses will expire March 31, 2026. Fishing licenses for the 2026-2027 license year, valid from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, are on sale online, as well as at Department offices and license vendors statewide.