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New Mexico Department of Game and Fish- Fishing Report

Catches of the week:

  • Abiquiu Lake: Lt. Col. Micah Chollar of the U.S. Air Force caught the biggest fish of his life June 7, a 24-inch, 5-pound rainbow trout on a Panther Martin. Janessa Sandoval, 8, of Abiquiu, caught a 14.5-inch smallmouth bass June 10. She was fishing from the bank and using a night crawler.
  • Bluewater Lake: Kristia Bordlemay of Albuquerquecaught and released a 43-inch tiger muskie June 8. She was using hot dogs. Zolin Guhrke, 9, of Rio Rancho and Austin Barea, 12, of Rio Rancho caught tiger muskies that measured approximately 36 inches each. They were trolling blue-green diving shad.
  • Chama River: Tommy Boylan of Espanola caught and released a 21-inch brown trout June 10. He was fishing downstream from Cooper’s and using a wooly bugger. Albert Yazzi of Grants caught a 20-inch, 2.3-pound brown trout. He was using a night crawler.
  • Cochiti Lake:  Estevan Barela, 7, of Albuquerque, caught a northern pike about 2 feet long June 11. He was using a half a night crawler.
  • Corrales Drain: Matt Dalzell of Albuquerque caught and released a 22-inch, 4.5-pound largemouth bass June 10. He was using a 3-inch shad swim bait.
  • Eagle Nest Lake: Ellie Robertson, 5, of Dallas, Texas, helped her uncle Matt Robertson reel in a 19-inch rainbow trout June 9. They were using PowerBait.
  • Elephant Butte Lake: Dylan Bailey, 9, along with his dad Ken of El Paso, landed a 4-pound walleye June 6. They were fishing near Long Point and using square billed crank baits.
  • Grindstone Reservoir: Deon Bigas, 9, of Alamogordo, caught about a 12-inch rainbow trout June 11. He was using PowerBait.
  • Morphy Lake: Mykeljon Mario Vasquez, 8, of Las Vegas, caught an 18-inch rainbow trout. He was using garlic PowerBait.
  • Navajo Lake: Xzavier Atencio, 11, of Bloomfield, caught a 23-inch, 3.2-pound northern pike June 11. He was fishing for crappie in La Jara Canyon and using a minnow.
  • Santa Rosa Lake: Zolin Guhrke, 9, of Rio Rancho, caught and released a largemouth bass that weighed approximately 2 pounds June 10. He was fishing from the bank and using a live crawfish.
  • Seven Springs Brood Pond: Estevan Garcia, 8, of Los Lunas, caught a 17-inch rainbow trout June 11. It was his first fish on a fly rod and he was using a black leech.
  • Sumner Lake: Daniel Romero, 5, of Hagerman caught a 26-inch, 12-pound catfish June 9. He was using cut bait. Mercedes Romero of Hagerman caught a 28-inch, 13-pound, channel catfish June 10. She was using cut bait.
The following reports came in late but deserve a mention:
  • Bill Evans Lake: Shane Villa of Silver City caught a 28-inch, 8-pound, blue catfish June 1. He was using chicken liver.
  • Bluewater Lake: Lawrence Gonzales, Jr., 7, of Albuquerque, caught and released a 33-inch tiger muskie May 31. He was using a water dog lure. Joaquin Romero, 8, of Espanola caught his first tiger muskie June 4. He was using a lure.
  • Fenton Lake: Jacqueline Valenzuela, 2 ½, of Albuquerque, caught a 13-inch rainbow trout May 30. It was her first fish and she was using red Berkley power eggs.
  • Heron Lake: Nathaniel Grannan, 7, of Rio Rancho caught a 20-inch lake trout June 4. He was using a night crawler.
  • Jemez River: Molly Mae Gonzales, 3, of Albuquerque caught her first fish, a brook trout, June 3. She was using salmon eggs.
  • Rio Grande: Paul Hernandez of Belen caught a 7.8-pound catfish June 3. He was fishing the river in the Belen area and using night crawlers.
  • Seven Springs Brood Pond: Maliyah Sanchez Archuleta, 5, of Rio Rancho caught her first fish, a 9-inch rainbow trout June 3. She was using green PowerBait under a bobber. Marcus Sanchez, 3, of Rio Rancho also caught his first fish June 3. It was a 9-inch rainbow and he was using green PowerBait.
  • Tingley Beach: Jeremiah Garcia, 4, of Albuquerque, caught his first catfish June 4. He was fishing the Central Pond and using a Canadian night crawler.
If you have a catch of the week story or just want to tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing experience, send it to us at fishforfun2@hotmail.com. We may include your story in our next report.
For catches of the week, include name, age, hometown, date, and location, type of fish, length and weight if possible and bait, lure or fly used.

June 13  

Northeast

Charette Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Clayton Lake: Fishing was good using assorted PowerBait, worms and Fire Balls for rainbow trout. Fishing was fair to good using spoons and crank baits for largemouth bass. We had no other reports. Due to low water conditions, the boat ramp remains closed.
Cimarron River: Stream flow near Cimarron on Monday was 28.6 cfs. Trout fishing was good using San Juan worms, S&M nymphs, bead-head pheasant tail nymphs, small streamers, worms and Fire Balls. Trout fishing at the Gravel Pit Lakes was very good using Pistol Petes, PowerBait, Fire Balls and worms.
Conchas Lake: Fishing was good using Texas rigged finesse worms, tubes, senkos, jigs, jerk baits, crank baits, creature baits, curly tail grubs and top water lures for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Fishing was fair to good using tubes and crank baits for white bass. Fishing was fair using jig and minnow combinations, spinner minnow combinations, leeches, curly tail grubs and crank baits for walleye. We had no other reports.
Costilla Creek: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Cowles Ponds: Fishing was good using PowerBait, Fire Balls and spinners for trout.
Coyote Creek: Trout fishing was fair to good using elk hair caddis, copper John Barrs, worms and salmon eggs.
Eagle Rock Lake: Fishing was good using spinners, PowerBait, salmon eggs and worms for trout. Pamela Roanhorse of Albuquerque caught a 17-inch rainbow this past weekend. She was using an orange spinner.
Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good using PowerBait from the bank and from anchored boats. Anglers also had luck trolling with light weight tackle and using bright colored spinners. Fishing for perch was fair using worms. Fishing for kokanee salmon was slow. We had no other reports.
Gallinas River: Fishing was good using wooly buggers, elk hair caddis, copper John Barrs, San Juan worms, night crawlers and Gulp eggs for trout.
Hopewell Lake: Trout fishing was slow. We had two reports where anglers tried a variety of flies, lures and baits with no success.
Lake Alice: Trout fishing was good using PowerBait, worms, Pistol Petes, wooly buggers, parachute Adams and Kastmasters.
Lake Maloya: Trout fishing was good using Pistol Petes, wooly buggers, elk hair caddis, parachute Adams and PowerBait. The best reports are coming from anglers fishing the early morning and evening hours with most hatches coming off in the evenings.
Los Pinos River: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Maxwell Lake 13: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Monastery Lake: Fishing was good using wooly buggers, Pistol Petes, PowerBait and Fire Balls for trout.
Morphy Lake: Fishing was fair to good using Pistol Petes, wooly buggers, spinners, PowerBait and Fire Balls for trout.
Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos on Monday was 168 cfs. Fishing was fair to good using worms, Fire Balls, San Juan worms, prince nymphs and bead-head hares ear nymphs for trout.
Red River: Stream flow below the hatchery on Monday was 283 cfs. Fishing was fair to good using PowerBait, night crawlers, spinners and wooly buggers for trout.
Red River City Ponds: Fishing was good using PowerBait and salmon eggs for trout.
Rio Grande: Stream flow on Monday at the Taos Junction Bridge was 2,850 cfs. Fishing on the upper river was slow with just a few trout caught by anglers using San Juan worms, wooly buggers, poundmeisters and spoons.
Rio Hondo: Stream flow near Valdez on Monday was 190 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.
Rio Mora: As of Monday, stream flow near Terrero was 52 cfs. Fishing was good using night crawlers, San Juan worms and prince nymphs for trout.
Rio Pueblo: Stream flow near Penasco on Monday was 135 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.
Santa Barbara River: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Santa Cruz Reservoir: Fishing was very good using wooly buggers, Pistol Petes, gold spoons, Fisher Chick spinners, PowerBait and Fire Balls for trout. We had no other reports.
Shuree Ponds: Open for the season July 1.
Springer Lake: We had no reports.
Storrie Lake: Fishing was good using wooly buggers, Pistol Petes, Panther Martins, Fisher Chick spinners, garlic cheese, PowerBait and Fire Balls for trout. One bluegill was caught by an angler using worms. We had no other reports.
Ute Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass was good using Ricos, buzz baits, senkos, tubes, curly tail grubs, finesse worms and grubs. The top water lures worked best in the early morning hours. Fishing for white bass was fair trolling crank baits near the trees in 15 to 18 feet of water. Fishing for walleye was slow but a few were caught by anglers using jigs, Ben rigs and leeches. Fishing for bluegill was good using worms under a bobber and small plastics. Fishing for crappie and catfish was slow. The surface water temp was in the low 70s.
Winsor Creek: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Northwest

Abiquiu Lake: Fishing was fair to good using curly tail grubs, spinners, wooly buggers, tubes, jerk baits, crank baits and night crawlers for smallmouth bass. Fishing for walleye was good for anglers using minnows, leeches, bottom bouncer night crawler combinations and crank baits. A few perch were caught by anglers using worms. Fishing was slow to fair using Panther Martin spinners, Fisher Chick spinners, PowerBait, worms and Fire Balls for rainbow trout. We had no other reports.
Animas River: Water flow near Aztec on Monday morning was 3,950 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.
Albuquerque Area Drains:  Our reports this week came from anglers fishing the Corrales Drain where some good size largemouth bass were caught. The catching was a bit slow but the bass caught were in the 2 to 5-pound class. Baits used were swim baits, wooly buggers and PowerBait. Stephen Linn reported that he and his dad, Jeff Linn of Albuquerque fished Corrales on June 10. It was Jeff’s first fishing outing in New Mexico and he landed and released a big largemouth bass. He was using PowerBait.
Bluewater Lake:  Fishing was fair to good using hot dogs, spoons, crank baits and swim baits for tiger muskies. Fishing for trout was slow with just a few caught by anglers using PowerBait, corn and worms. We had no other reports.
Brazos River: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Canjilon Lakes: Closed by the U.S. Forest Service until further notice due to danger from falling trees. They are not expected to open in 2017.
Chama River: Monday morning water flows below El Vado and Abiquiu were 198 cfs and 799 cfs respectively. Fishing below El Vado was good using night crawlers, spoons, night crawlers and PowerBait for rainbow and brown trout. We had no reports from below Abiquiu. NEW SPECIAL TROUT WATER: The river from the USGS gauging station to the confluence of the Rio Nutrias is now catch and release only using single barbless hook artificial flies and lures.
Cochiti Lake: Fishing was slow to fair using crank baits, jerk baits, tubes and jigs for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Fishing was slow to fair using crank baits, spinner baits and night crawlers for northern pike. A few crappie and perch were caught by anglers using worms and small jigs. We had no other reports.
El Vado Lake: Fishing was fair to good using curly tail grubs, spinners, worms and crank baits for smallmouth bass. A few rainbow trout were caught by anglers fishing near the dam and using PowerBait. We had no other reports.
Fenton Lake: Fishing was good using assorted colors and scents of PowerBait, Fire Balls, Kastmasters, chamois leeches, black leeches, wooly buggers, caddis imitations, spoons and Pistol Petes for trout.
Heron Lake: Fishing from the bank was fair to good using spinners and yellow, salmon peach and garlic scented PowerBait for rainbow trout. We had no other reports.
Jackson Lake: Fishing was slow for all species.
Jemez Waters: Stream flow on the Jemez River near Jemez Springs on Monday morning was 28 cfs. Fishing was very good using night crawlers, salmon eggs, stone fly nymphs, copper John Barrs, San Juan worms and Fire Balls for trout. Fishing on the East Fork was good using San Juan worms, small prince nymphs and worms for brown trout. Trout fishing on the upper stretch of the San Antonio was very good using assorted dry flies and small red copper John Barrs.  Fishing on the Rio Cebolla was good using copper John Barrs, worms, Fire Balls and San Juan worms. Fishing on the Rio Las Vacas was good using salmon eggs, worms, Panther Martins, copper John Barrs and bead-head pheasant tail nymphs. We had no other reports.
Laguna del Campo: The State Game Commission voted at its last meeting in Clayton to drain the pond and revert it back to an irrigation ditch. The dam is unsafe and deemed too costly to repair.
Lake Farmington: Nonmotorized watercraft are now allowed on Lake Farmington. Fees are $50 for the season or $5 daily. Fishing was fair to good using PowerBait, Fire Balls, Pistol Petes and spoons for trout. We had no other reports.
Manzano Lake: Fishing was fair using salmon peach and garlic PowerBait for trout. We had no other reports.
Navajo Lake: Fishing was very good using minnows and small jigs for crappie. Jerry Atencio reported fast paced crappie fishing in La Jara Canyon. They were using minnows and small chartreuse and white jigs. Fishing was good using baby brush hogs, worms, jigs, swim baits, jerk baits and crank baits for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Fishing was fair to good using swim baits, minnows, jerk baits and crank baits for northern pike. We had no other reports.
San Gregorio Lake: Had another bad report this week. This one from Jonathan Garrison. He was up here the past three weekends and did not get one bite.
San Juan River: Stream flow from Navajo Reservoir on Monday was 4,770 cfs. Trout fishing from drift boats was good using San Juan worms, orange and peach egg patterns, wooly buggers, large bead-head pheasant tail nymphs and orange and red annelids. We had no other reports.
Seven Springs Brood Pond: Fishing was very good using spinners, PowerBait, Fire Balls, wooly buggers, leech patterns, Pistol Petes and worms for trout.
Tingley Beach: Fishing was fair using worms for bluegill. Fishing was fair to good using shrimp, hot dogs, night crawlers and homemade dough bait for catfish. We had no other reports.
Trout Lakes: Trout fishing was slow.

Southwest

Alumni Pond: Fishing was fair using worms and liver for catfish. Fishing was good using worms for small bluegill. We had no other reports.
Bear Canyon Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Bill Evans Lake: Fishing was slow to fair using chicken liver and worms for catfish. We had no other reports.
Caballo Lake: Fishing was fair using crank baits, top water lures, curly tail grubs and minnows for white bass. A few catfish were caught by anglers fishing at night and using cut bait, night crawlers and liver. We had no other reports.
Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing was good using crank baits, jerk baits, minnows and grubs for white bass. Jaime and Alec Marenco from El Paso caught some nice white bass this past week. They were using medium diving crank baits. Fishing was slow to fair using crank baits, minnows and grubs for walleye. Fishing was good using creature baits, crank baits, jerk baits, senkos, tubes and sweet beavers for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Fishing was good using cut bait, homemade dough bait, hot dogs, dead minnows and chicken liver for catfish. The best catfish action was at night. We had no other reports.
Escondida Lake: Fishing was good using chicken liver, hot dogs and homemade dough bait for catfish. We had no other reports.
Gila River: Stream flow on Monday morning was 43.3 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.
Glenwood Pond: Fishing was good using PowerBait for trout.
Lake Roberts: Fishing was good using worms, senkos, baby brush hogs, tubes and crank baits for largemouth bass. Fishing was good using spoons, Fire Balls, worms and PowerBait for trout. He also caught several rainbows and largemouth bass. He was using spoons. Fishing was good using homemade dough bait, chicken liver and night crawlers for catfish. We had no other reports.
Percha Dam: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Quemado Lake: Fishing was good using PowerBait and spinners for trout. Karina Rodriguez reported having really good luck this past Saturday fishing for trout. They were using bright orange spoons. Fishing for tiger muskie was slow.
Rancho Grande Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Rio Grande: Stream flow below Elephant Butte Monday morning was 1,650 cfs. Fishing in the San Marcial area was good using chicken liver and homemade dough bait for catfish. Fishing below Elephant Butte and Caballo was good using night crawlers, liver and cut bait for catfish. Fishing was good using corn for carp. We had no other reports.
Snow Lake: Fishing was fair using Pistol Petes, PowerBait and Fire Balls for trout.
Young Pond: Fishing for catfish was slow. Fishing was good using worms for bluegill. We had no other reports.

Southeast

Alto Lake: Fishing was slow to fair using liver and night crawlers for catfish. Fishing was fair using night crawlers, salmon eggs and PowerBait for trout. We had no other reports.
Bataan Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Black River: Stream flow at Malaga on Monday was 19 cfs. Fishing was slow for all species.
Blue Hole Park Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Bonito Lake: Closed until further notice by the city of Alamogordo due to fire damage.
Bosque Redondo Lake: Fishing was fair to good using liver, night crawlers and homemade dough bait for catfish. We had one report of a largemouth bass caught but no other information.
Bottomless Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Brantley Lake: Anglers are required to catch and release all fish here as high levels of pesticides have been found in some fish. We had no reports from anglers this week.
Carlsbad Municipal Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Chaparral Park Lake: Fishing was fair using chicken liver and prepared bait for catfish. We had no other reports.
El Rito Creek: Fishing was slow to fair using PowerBait and spoons for trout. We had no other reports.
Eunice Lake: Fishing was good using chicken liver, garlic cheese and worms for catfish.
Green Meadow Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Greene Acres Lake: Fishing was fair using night crawlers, liver, dough bait and PowerBait for catfish. We had no other reports.
Grindstone Reservoir: Fishing was slow to fair using PowerBait for trout. Fishing was fair using worms for bluegill. Fishing was fair using shrimp, worms and crawdads for catfish. We had no other reports.
Jal Lake: Fishing was good using night crawlers and chicken liver for catfish. We had no other reports.
Lake Van: Fishing was fair to good using chicken liver, blood bait and homemade dough bait for catfish. We had no other reports.
Oasis Park Lake: Fishing was fair to good using worms, homemade dough bait and blood baits for channel catfish up to 6 pounds. We had no other reports.
Pecos River: Stream flow below Sumner Lake on Monday was 133 cfs. Fishing was slow for all species. A water release from Sumner Lake is expected to start on June 19 and run for 15 days.
Perch Lake: Fishing was fair to good using chicken liver and blood bait for catfish. We had no other reports.
Ruidoso River: Stream flow at Hollywood on Monday was 6.85 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.
Santa Rosa Lake: Fishing was good using plastic worms, senkos, swim baits, jerk baits, buzz baits, crank baits, live crawdads, live worms and pink grubs for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Anglers fishing with live bait also caught a few bluegill and crappie. Fishing was fair to good using minnows, curly tail grubs and crank baits for walleye. We had no other reports. A water release is expected to begin on June 16 and run for 15 days.
Sumner Lake: Fishing was good using curly tail grubs, crank baits, bottom bouncer night crawler rigs and jig and minnow combinations for walleye. Fishing was good using crank baits, jerk baits, tubes, worms, creature baits and senkos for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Fishing was fair to good using crank baits, grubs and minnows for white bass. Fishing for crappie was slow to fair for anglers using minnows, small grubs and tubes. Fishing at the upper end of the lake was good using cut bait and liver for catfish. We had no other reports. A water release is scheduled to begin June 19 and run for 15 days.

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