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How to Catch Fish How to Tie Fishing Knots Fishing Gear and Tackle How to Fish with Lures How to Fish with Live Bait Fishing Safety Fishing Tips When to Fish Types of Fishing Fishing Terms Fishing and Conservation Fishing Resources View All

When to Saltwater Fish Saltwater Bait and Lures Saltwater Fishing Tackle Types of Saltwater Fishing Saltwater Fishing Gear Saltwater Fish Species Saltwater Fishing FAQ View All

Best Freshwater Fishing When to Freshwater Fish Freshwater Bait and Lures Learn About Freshwater Fish Species Best Freshwater Fishing Gear Freshwater Fishing FAQ View All

Fly Fishing Basics Fly Fishing Flies Fly Fishing Gear Fly Casting View All

Ice Fishing Basics Ice Fishing Gear Ice Fishing Techniques View All

Boating Basics How to Boat Boating and Water Safety Choose Your Boat Use our Boat Explorer Tool Get on the Water View All

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Get A Fishing License

Get started fishing today, purchase your fishing license online, check regulations and more.

Register a Boat in New Mexico

Learn about New Mexico boat licensing or boater education cards if you are new to boating. If you are under a certain age, you may be required to have a boater education card, in addition to your boat registration, when operating on New Mexico waters. A boater education card is proof that you have taken an approved boater education course and know the NM boat laws.

NEW MEXICO BOATING LAWS AND REGULATIONS

New Mexico is one of 48 states that currently has some form of required boater education in place. Whether you have years of boating experience or are a beginning boater, it is always a good idea to take a boating safety course so that you know the current NM boat laws and safety procedures. There are courses that can be taken online or in a classroom setting.

IT’S NOT A FEE, IT’S A CONTRIBUTION

Your boat registration serves as documentation to prove that you are the rightful owner of a vessel. There are registration fees that you will need to pay when you register your boat in New Mexico; however, these fees are used by the state to help sustain our natural resources and promote responsible boating.

NEW MEXICO BOAT REGISTRATION INFORMATION

When you apply for your boat registration, you are required to pay a registration fee that is based on the length of your boat.
When you receive your boat registration paperwork or Certificate of Number, keep it in a safe place on board. Boat trailers are titled and registered separately.
All motorboats powered by any source including personal watercraft must be registered in New Mexico.

NM BOATING LAWS & REGULATIONS

New Mexico has its own set of boating rules to protect the waterways and keep everyone who uses them safe.

NM BOATING LAWS & REGULATIONS

RESPONSIBLE BOATING STARTS WITH YOU

Learn how to take care of your crew and your boat, while also taking care of our valuable water resources.

BOATING AND WATER SAFETY

BOATING SAFETY COURSES

CATCH AND RELEASE BEST PRACTICES

NM BOATING RESOURCES/INFO

Additional resources and information can be found directly on the New Mexico State Parks site.

MANDATORY BOATER EDUCATION