While many would perceive New Mexico as flat and arid desert, the state certainly offers excellent and beautiful mountain fishing locations. New Mexico’s rivers and lakes offer generous amount and species of freshwater fishes that please anglers and avid fishing enthusiasts. The San Juan River in New Mexico is one of the finest tailwater fisheries anywhere. The 4.25 miles of San Juan river quality water below Navajo Dam holds over 80,000 trout. Additionally, New Mexico is considered one of the greatest states for fly fishing in the United States. It contains some of the most pristine fly fishing rivers in the United States. Fly fishing occurs in the northern part of the state. The Gila Wilderness area is great for trout and smallmouth bass, and striped bass is commonly found in the Elephant Butte Reservoir.