Bear Canyon Lake: Benjamin Abeyta of Silver City caught a 17.5-inch rainbow trout using garlic PowerBait Dec. 12.

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: Ciera Navarrette of Carlsbad caught an 18-inch rainbow trout using white PowerBait Dec. 9.

Jemez River: Grayson Baca, age 3, of Peralta caught his first trout, an 11-inch rainbow trout using salmon eggs Dec. 3.

Lake Van: Valerie Wyatt and Jennifer Rodriguez of Roswell caught two 2-pound rainbow trout using a spoon and dough bait Dec. 11.

Stubblefield Lake: Hue Gonzales, age 16, of Angel Fire caught an 18-inch walleye using a custom-tied jig in about two to five feet of water Dec. 7.

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 funfishingnm@gmail.com. We may include your story in our next report.

For catches of the week, include name, age, hometown, date, location, type of fish, length and weight if possible, and bait, lure or fly used.

Cabresto Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Charette Lakes: Closed for the season.

Cimarron River: Stream flow cfs, near Cimarron Monday morning, was not measured due to ice. In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information. Anglers reported limited open water to fish.

Clayton Lake: Closed until March 2021.

Conchas Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Costilla Creek: The Department has implemented the final phase of a project to expand Rio Grande cutthroat trout in 120 miles of the Costilla watershed in northern New Mexico. The final phase involved the removal of fish within a designated area (Rio Costilla from Costilla Dam downstream to the Valle Vidal Boundary including all tributaries and Comanche Creek from the road culvert crossing on FR 1950 downstream to its confluence with Rio Costilla and all tributaries) with a tentative restocking of Rio Grande cutthroat in spring 2022. Places to fish nearby include Costilla Creek below the fish barrier, Upper Comanche Creek, Shuree Ponds, Middle Ponil Creek, Upper Powderhouse Creek, Little Costilla Creek, Vidal Creek and McCrystal Creek. The Department anticipates the completion of this final phase in the fall of 2021. Please check the Department website for additional information on the project and to identify alternative angling opportunities in the interim.

Cowles Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Coyote Creek: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information.

Eagle Nest Lake: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information. The lake is closed to all fishing due to recent weather conditions that have led to unsafe lake surface conditions. The lake is currently closed to all watercraft, including canoes, kayaks, inflatables and all types of motorboats.

Eagle Rock Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Fawn Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Gallinas River: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Hopewell Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Lake Alice: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information. The lake is closed to all fishing due to recent weather conditions that have led to unsafe lake surface conditions. The lake is currently closed to all watercraft, including canoes, kayaks, inflatables and all types of motorboats.

Lake Maloya: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information. The lake is closed to all fishing due to unsafe ice conditions. The lake is closed to all fishing due to recent weather conditions that have led to unsafe lake surface conditions. The lake is currently closed to all watercraft, including canoes, kayaks, inflatable and all types of motorboats.

Los Pinos River: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Maxwell Lake 13: Closed for the season.

Monastery Lake: Closed due to COVID-19 health concerns. Check the Open Gate webpage for future updates.

Morphy Lake: Closed for a renovation project on the dam and no firm opening date has been set. Pecos River: Stream flow near the town of Pecos Monday morning cfs was not measured due to ice. Fishing for trout was fair to good using small copper and black nymph flies.

Red River: Stream flow below the hatchery Monday morning was 34.0 cfs. Fishing for trout near the hatchery was fair using dry hopper and nymph fly rigs.

Rio Grande: Stream flow at the Taos Junction Bridge Monday morning was 271 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair using large colorful bead head nymph flies.

Rio Hondo: Stream flow cfs, Monday morning near Valdez, was not measured due to ice.

Rio Mora: Stream flow cfs, Monday morning, was not measured due to ice.

Rio Pueblo: Stream flow cfs, near Penasco Monday morning, was not measured due to ice.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Fishing for trout was good using green and yellow swirl PowerBait.

Shuree Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week. Springer Lake: Anglers reported thin ice and unsafe fishing conditions.

Storrie Lake: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information.

Stubblefield Lake: Fishing for walleye was fair using jigs in 2-5 feet of water. Anglers reported ice conditions varying from day-to-day and often being unsafe.

Ute Lake: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks will reopen to New Mexico residence for day-use only. Fishing for all species was slow. The water surface temperature was in the upper 40s F.

Abiquiu Lake: The boat ramp is closed.

Animas River: Water flow below Aztec Monday morning was 116 cfs.

Albuquerque Area Drains: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Bluewater Lake: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information. It is closed to boating and ice-fishing due to recent weather conditions that have led to unsafe lake surface conditions. The lake is currently closed to all watercraft, including canoes, kayaks, inflatables and all types of motorboats.

Brazos River: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Canjilon Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Chama River: Monday morning flows below El Vado and Abiquiu were 105 cfs and 74.8 cfs, respectively. Fishing for trout below El Vado Lake was fair to good using Panther Martin spinners. Fishing for trout below Abiquiu Lake was good using spinners, small bead head nymph flies, zebra midge flies and dry topwater flies.

Cochiti Lake: Closed until further notice.

El Vado Lake: El Vado Lake State Park is open at the Dam Day Use area only from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and New Mexico Residents only. Salmon Snagging season continues through Dec. 31.

Fenton Lake: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information. The lake is closed to boating and ice-fishing due to recent weather conditions that have led to unsafe lake surface conditions. The lake is currently closed to all watercraft, including canoes, kayaks, inflatables and all types of motorboats.

Heron Lake: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information. The lake can be accessed at Ridge Rock or La Laja. Salmon Snagging season continues through Dec. 31. Fishing for trout was good using marshmallow bait. All boat ramps are closed due to low water. The Quality Waters of the Rio Chama can be accessed at the Rio Chama Trailhead. The stairs are closed, but access to the river can be gained by using the road.

Jemez Waters: Stream flow on the Jemez near the town of Jemez Monday morning was 9.92 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair using salmon eggs.

Laguna del Campo: Closed for the season.

Lagunitas Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Lake Farmington: Fishing for trout was good using white PowerBait.

Manzano Lake: Closed until further notice.

McGaffey Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Navajo Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

San Gregorio Lake: Anglers reported that the lake is frozen.

San Juan River: The Bureau of Reclamation has scheduled a temporary decrease in Navajo Dam release to accommodate instream work that is being performed downstream. The release will be decreased from 350 cfs to 250 cfs on Dec. 16, starting at 3:00 p.m. The release will be increased back to 350 cfs the following day, Dec. 17, at noon. In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Park’s website for more information. Fishing for trout was good using streamers, bunny leeches and Woolly Bugger flies.

Seven Springs Brood Pond: Closed due to COVID-19 health concerns. Check the Department’s Alerts page for future updates.

Tingley Beach: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information.

Trout Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Alumni Pond: Fishing for trout was good using flies and nymph flavored PowerBait.

Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing for trout was good using small spoons, red PowerBait, garlic PowerBait and flies.

Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for trout was good trolling sinking Rapala lures and using PowerBait and nightcrawlers from the bank.

Caballo Lake: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information.

Elephant Butte Lake: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Park’s website for more information. Fishing for catfish was good using shad.

Escondida Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Gila River: Stream flow Monday morning was 56.1 cfs.

Glenwood Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Lake Roberts: Fishing for trout was good using nymph flies and small gold spoons.

Percha Dam: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Park’s website for more information.

Quemado Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Rancho Grande Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Rio Grande: Stream flow below Elephant Butte Monday morning was .92 cfs.

Snow Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Trees Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Young Pond: Closed by the City of Las Cruces due to COVID-19 health concerns.

Alto Lake: Fishing for rainbow trout was good using salmon peach PowerBait. Anglers reported the lake is limited to local residents only. Anglers are reminded to check openings before you go.

Bataan Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Black River: Stream flow at Malaga Monday morning was 8.26 cfs.

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. It appears now that the lake will be out of commission until 2022. Bosque Redondo Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Bottomless Lakes: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information. Fishing for trout was good using worms and PowerBait.

Brantley Lake: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Park’s website for more information.

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: Fishing for trout was good using white PowerBait.

Chaparral Park Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Corona Pond: Fishing for trout was good using earthworms.

Eunice Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Green Meadow Lake: Fishing for trout was good using cheese PowerBait.

Greene Acres Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Grindstone Reservoir: Fishing for trout was fair using salmon peach PowerBait and chartreuse PowerBait. Anglers reported the lake was limited to residence and to check openings before you go.

Jal Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Lake Van: Fishing for trout was good using spoons and dough bait.

Oasis Park Lake In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Park’s website for more information.

Pecos River: Stream flow below Sumner Lake Monday morning was 11.0 cfs.

Perch Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Ruidoso River: Stream flow Monday morning at Hollywood was 3.87 cfs.

Santa Rosa Lake: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Park’s website for more information.

Sumner Lake: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Park’s website for more information.

What is a world without worms? Worms and nightcrawlers make a considerable contribution to life and they are incredible creatures. They have multiple uses and are relatively easy to care for. Worms create vermicomposting, which means the use of earthworms to convert organic waste into fertilizer. Vermicompost, otherwise known as worm poop, is a valuable fertilizer that can be added to your house plants or gardens. Your plants will devour the delicious plant nutrients and be healthier, happier plants. Trust me, your plants and flowers and fruits will thank you later.

In addition to making your plants and gardens happy, it is also nice to have a never-ending supply of live fishing bait on hand. Worms are continually breeding and lay a worm egg or sac, which means you will always have an ample supply. If you allow enough worms to reproduce, there should not be any issues. Worms are phenomenally successful breeders! Who would have thought that little worm on the end of your fishing line could be grown in the courtesy of your own home for little to no cost?

Red worms are great for composting and the bigger ones can be used for fishing, but they are not as strong and hardy as the European nightcrawlers. Nightcrawlers can breathe underwater and are known for their wiggle and ability to stay on a hook! I like to have them both growing in the same colonies as they balance each other out between composting ability and fishing use. Worms are best kept at temperatures between 40 degrees and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If your worms get too hot in the summer months no need to fear. Just place some ice in zip lock bags or frozen water bottles on top of the bedding to bring temps down. Make sure you are not adding any more moisture than necessary. Worms and nightcrawlers prefer dark places with moist bedding. A suitable container for growing worms is a regular old plastic storage tote with air holes drilled on top. A broken-up Coco Coir Brick or shredded newspaper (black print only) is acceptable for worms and nightcrawler bedding. Make sure and use only filtered non-chlorinated water for moistening bedding (no chemicals). The bedding needs to be moist, think damp sponge consistency. You can buy worm food online or most outdoor stores or feed your worms kitchen fruit scraps and vegetable peelings. Do not feed worms dairy or citrus peels or any kind of sugar or bread. Also, I know some guys who say stay away from banana peels and broccoli. I am sure they can eat almost anything, but I would not recommend that stinky situation! Save money! Grow your own! Happy worm farming! Follow us on Facebook @SYMBIOAG.