Fishing Report

Alto Lake: T.J. Guillen of Mayhill caught a 31-inch, 16-pound catfish using PowerBait July 13.

Bear Canyon Lake: Zavier Udero, age 16, and Zaiden Udero, age 10, of Las Cruces caught 11 trout using orange PowerBait July 10 and 11.

Bill Evans Lake: Joseph Uresti of Bayard caught a 16-inch crappie using chicken liver July 14. Ellen Stauffer, age 9, of Deming caught many bluegill using red wiggler worms July 13 and 14.

Bluewater Lake: Cameron Quill of Albuquerque caught and released a 38-inch, 16-pound tiger muskie using a Whopper Plopper 110 July 12. Mark Shifflet of Belen caught a 38-inch tiger muskie using a shallow diving perch patter lure July 9.

Brantley Lake: Addison Wagner, age 11, of Lovington caught a 2.5-pound largemouth bass using a worm July 10. Benito Nickles of Lovington caught a 27-inch gar using cut bait July 10.

Caballo Lake: Frank and Brian Rittel of El Paso, Texas, caught nine walleye and 11 crappie using white grubs July 16.

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: Simon Rubio of Carlsbad caught a 27-inch, 6-pound, 7-ounce catfish using shrimp July 14.

Cochiti Lake: Mark Hofheins of Rio Rancho caught a 27-inch pike using a spinnerbait July 10. Frank Lovato of Albuquerque caught a 28.5-inch, 10.5-pound walleye using a Wally Diver lure July 9.

Eagle Nest Lake: Izaac Salazar, age 9, and his uncle, Andres Alvarado, age 19, of Santa Fe caught their limits of trout trolling skirt lures tipped with PowerBait 18 feet deep July 17. Jolise DuBois, age 14, of Las Vegas, Nev., caught her limit of trout using rainbow PowerBait and nightcrawler worms July 11.

Elephant Butte Lake: Thomas Blount of Las Cruces celebrated his sixth birthday by catching a 12-pound blue catfish using gizzard shad July 16. David DiBartolomeo of Socorro caught and released a 3-pound striper using a live shad July 10.

Escondida Lake: Alisandro Chacon of Los Lunas caught a 10-pound catfish using chicken liver July 9.

Fenton Lake: Matthew Coca II, age 14, of Rio Rancho caught a 17-inch rainbow trout using a Thomas spoon July 14. Daniel Marcum of Rio Rancho caught and released 20 rainbow trout using a beadhead prince nymph fly from a float tube July 10.

Grindstone Reservoir: Zachary Huffman of Ruidoso caught a 14.5-inch rainbow trout using a Panther Martin spinner July 12.

Jemez Waters: Anthony Gomez, age 3, of Moriarty caught and released his first fish, an 8-inch brown trout, using worms on the Las Conchas River July 15.

San Juan River: Judah Gonzales of Velarde caught a 20-inch rainbow trout using a green larva fly July 16. Patrick White of Bernalillo caught a 30-inch brown trout using a chocolate midge fly July 9. Rayanna Peralta of Bernalillo caught a 23-inch rainbow trout and a 20-inch brown trout using a foamback chocolate emerger fly July 9.

Springer Lake: Jolise DuBois, age 14, of Las Vegas, Nevada, caught four pike and a catfish using inflated nightcrawler worms July 12.

Storrie Lake: Darius Casaus of Albuquerque caught a 13-inch crappie using a gold Panther Martin spinner July 7.

Ute Lake: Lisa Boulware of Edgewood caught a 24.5-inch, 5-pound walleye using a Flicker shad lure July 15. Chris Reiten of Los Lunas caught a 15-inch walleye while trolling a crankbait lure July 9.

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: Fishing for trout was good when using gold Mepps spinners.

Charette Lakes: Fishing for trout was good when using salmon eggs, worms and PowerBait.

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Monday morning was 26.2 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Clayton Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait. Fishing for walleye was fair when using fake minnows. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using chicken liver and homemade dough baits.

Conchas Lake: Fishing for walleye was good when using 3-inch Lunker Grubs tipped with worm.

Costilla Creek: The department is implementing 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 involves 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). Tentative stocking of Rio Grande cutthroat trout is set for spring 2023. Places to fish nearby include Costilla Creek below the fish barrier, Upper Comanche Creek, Shuree Ponds, Upper Powderhouse Creek, Little Costilla Creek, Vidal Creek and McCrystal Creek. National Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Carson National Forest webpage or call the Carson National Forest office at (505) 758-6200 for the latest closure information.

Cowles Ponds: National Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access.Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at (505) 438-5300 for the latest closure information.

Coyote Creek: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing for rainbow trout was good when using skirt lures trolling, nightcrawler worms and rainbow PowerBait. Fishing for pike was fair to good when using rainbow trout pattern Rapala lures.

Eagle Rock Lake: fishing for trout was good when using pink PowerBait mouse tails.

Gallinas River: National Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access.Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at (505) 438-5300 for the latest closure information.

Hopewell Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using various flies. National Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Carson National Forest webpageor call the Carson National Forest office at (505) 758-6200 for the latest closure information.

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

Lake Maloya: Fishing for trout was good when using salmon eggs, and pink and green PowerBait.

Los Pinos River: National Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access.Visit the Carson National Forest webpage or call the Carson National Forest office at (505) 758-6200 for the latest closure information.

Maxwell Lake 13: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Monastery Lake: The lake is currently closed due to wildfire rehabilitation efforts. Monastery Lake is set to reopen on Aug. 1. For more information, visit the Open Gate webpage.

Morphy Lake: State Park closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit Morphy Lake State Park’s webpage or call (575) 387-2328 for the latest closure information.

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Monday morning was 358 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using worms. National Forest and State Park closures are in place restricting fishing access to much of the Pecos River. Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at (505) 438-5300 for the latest forest closure information.Visit Pecos Canyon State Park’s webpage or call (505) 670-8196 for the latest park closure information.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery Monday morning was 54.3 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using salmon eggs.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge Monday morning was 276 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using worms and black and gold Panther Martin spinners near Pilar.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Monday morning was 54.4 cfs. National Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Carson National Forest webpageor call the Carson National Forest office at (505) 758-6200 for the latest closure information.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Monday morning was 181 cfs. National Forest and State Park closures have been in place restricting fishing access to the Rio Mora. Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at (505) 438-5300 for the latest forest closure information. Visit Pecos Canyon State Park’s webpage or call (505) 670-8196 for the latest park closure information.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Penasco Monday morning was 24.2 cfs. Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Carson National Forest webpage or call the Carson National Forest office at (505) 758-6200 for the latest closure information.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Fishing for trout was fair when using green PowerBait.

Shuree Ponds: Fishing for trout was good when using dry flies.

Springer Lake: Fishing for pike and catfish was good when using inflated nightcrawler worms.

Storrie Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using pink and orange PowerBait. Fishing for crappie was fair to good when using gold Panther Martin spinners.

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

Ute Lake: Fishing for walleye was fair to good when using Wally Diver lures, Flicker Shad lures and trolling lures in 15 to 20 feet of water near brush lines. Fishing for white bass was fair when using Flicker shad lures and Model A Bombers. Fishing for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass was good when using drop shot rigs, Whopper Plopper lures, walking baits and Pop R’s in 10 to 16 feet of water. Fishing for crappie was slow to fair when using live minnows at night under artificial lights at night near brush. Fishing for catfish was good when using punch bait, cut bait and chicken liver. Fishing for bluegill was good when using nightcrawler worms. The main lake water surface temperature was in the upper 70° F range and the water clarity was clear.

Abiquiu Lake: Fishing for walleye was fair when using nightcrawler worms and crankbaits. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using shrimp.

Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Monday morning was 176 cfs. Albuquerque Area Drains:We had no reports from anglers this week.

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for tiger muskie was good when using Whopper Plopper lures and shallow diving perch pattern lures.

Brazos River: Fishing for trout was good when using worms.

Canjilon Lakes: Fishing for trout was good when using rainbow PowerBait and orange PowerBait.National Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Carson National Forest webpage or call the Carson National Forest office at (505) 758-6200 for the latest closure information.

Chama River: Streamflow below El Vado Lake and below Abiquiu Lake Monday morning was 103 cfs and 204 cfs, respectively. Fishing for trout below El Vado Lake was fair when using worms and PowerBait. Please remember, from the river-crossing bridge on U.S. Highway 84 at Abiquiu upstream 7 miles to the base of Abiquiu Dam is special trout waters with a bag limit of two trout only.

Cochiti Lake: Fishing for pike was fair to good when using spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Fishing for walleye was fair to good when using Wally Diver lures. Fishing for white bass was fair to good when using minnows.

El Vado Lake: El Vado Lake can be accessed at Hargroves Day Use Area off State Road 322 and the main park area off State Road 112. The Rio Chama can be accessed at the North El Vado Day Use Area on State Road 95, 10 miles west of U.S. Highway 84. Lake levels are steady but expected to drop as crews work on El Vado Dam. The Dam Day Use Area is closed due to the ongoing construction. State Road 112 over the dam will experience periodic closures. For more information, visit El Vado Lake State Park’s webpage or call (575) 588-7247.

Fenton Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using beadhead prince nymph flies and Thomas spoons.

Grants Riverwalk Pond: The pond has dried up due to pump failure. The city is planning to repair the pumps but is taking this opportunity to dredge the pond. They expect the pond to be offline for at least two to three months. Fish stocking will be discontinued until all work is done.

Heron Lake: Fishing for trout from shore was fair when using garlic PowerBait.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Monday morning was 79.9 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using worms and grasshopper dry flies. National Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at (505) 438-5300 for the latest closure information.

Laguna del Campo: Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait and spinners.

Lagunitas Lakes: National Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access.Visit the Carson National Forest webpage or call the Carson National Forest office at (505) 758-6200 for the latest closure information.

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

McGaffey Lake: Stocking efforts have been suspended due to extremely low water levels and unstable ground conditions. Lake conditions will be monitored and stocking will resume once conditions improve.

Navajo Lake: Fishing for pike was fair to good when using 4-inch green grubs and swimbaits. Fishing for smallmouth bass was good when using plastic worms and Ned rigs in 20 feet of water. Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using spinners. Fishing for kokanee salmon was good when using orange and pink spinners tipped with corn.

Rio Grande: Fishing for catfish near Albuquerque was fair to good when using chicken liver and cut bait.

Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Pond #1): We had no reports from anglers this week.

San Gregorio Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using PowerBait. National Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at (505) 438-5300 for the latest closure information.

San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Monday morning was 803 cfs. Fishing for trout in the quality waters was fair to good when using size-22 green larva flies. Fishing for trout in the bait waters was good when using worms and PowerBait.

Seven Springs Brood Pond: Fishing for trout was good when using garlic chartreuse PowerBait and peach PowerBait.

Tiger Park Reservoir: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Tingley Beach: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using nightcrawler worms and hot dogs.

Trout Lakes: Fishing for trout was good when using chartreuse PowerBait and flies. National Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Carson National Forest webpage or call the Carson National Forest office at (505) 758-6200 for the latest closure information.

Alumni Pond: Fishing for bass was fair when using topwater lures in the mornings and in the evenings. Fishing for catfish was fair when using beef liver.

Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using orange PowerBait.

Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for bass was fair when using worms and crankbaits. Fishing for trout was slow. Fishing for bluegill was good when using red wiggler worms.

Caballo Lake: Fishing for crappie was good when using white grubs and live worms. Fishing for walleye was good when using white grubs and worms. Fishing for white bass was fair to good when using crankbaits. Fishing for catfish was good when using live bait and chicken.

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for catfish was good when using cut carp bait. Fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass was fair to good when using white Ned rigs. Fishing for white bass was good when using live minnows. Fishing for crappie was fair to good when using green grubs and live minnows. Fishing for walleye was fair when bottom bouncing nightcrawler worms.

Escondida Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using shrimp chicken liver.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Monday morning was 47.7 cfs.

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

Lake Roberts: Fishing for trout was slow when using streamers and black Woolly Bugger flies. Fishing for catfish was good when using worms and chicken liver.

Percha Dam: Fishing for catfish was fair when using chicken liver.

Quemado Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using light-colored dry flies during the morning and evenings and dark-colored nymph flies during the afternoon.

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

Rio Grande: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using cut bait and homemade dough bait.

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

Trees Lake: Fishing for bass was slow. Fishing for catfish was good when using chicken liver and stinkbait. Fishing for bluegill was good when using live worms and flies.

Young Pond: Fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using chicken liver.

Alto Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using PowerBait and garlic-scented nightcrawler worms.

Bataan Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair when using chicken liver.

Berrendo Creek: We had no reports from anglers this week. Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on this property.

Black River: Streamflow at Malaga Monday morning was 11.4 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 that the lake will be out of commission until later this year.

Bosque Redondo Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Brantley Lake: Fishing for gar was fair when using cut bait. Fishing for largemouth bass was fair when using live worms and wacky-rigged Senko worms. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using cut bait and nightcrawler worms.

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using shrimp.

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

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

Eunice Lake: Fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using stink bait.

Green Meadow Lake: Fishing for catfish was good when using worms.

Greene Acres Lake: Fishing for catfish was good when using worms and cut shad bait.

Grindstone Reservoir: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using Panther Martin spinners. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using worms. Fishing for bluegill was fair when using worms.

Jal Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using worms.

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

Oasis Park Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using hot dogs and worms.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Monday morning was 120 cfs. Fishing for catfish was fair when using nightcrawler worms.

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

Rio Bonito: Fishing for rainbow trout was good when using worms.

Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Ruidoso River: Streamflow at Hollywood Monday morning was 4.31 cfs.

Santa Rosa Lake: Boat ramp temporarily closed due to low water level. Fishing for walleye from the shore was fair to good when using minnows.

Sumner Lake: Fishing for walleye and white bass was fair when using redheaded Buck Perry spoon plugs trolling in 8 feet of water. The main lake water surface temperature was in the upper 70° F range.

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

It is a glorious time of year when the grasshoppers are abundant and dry fly fishing with big, leggy hopper flies is the norm. This past weekend, we went to the Jemez Mountains to get away from the heat and try our luck fly fishing the small, high mountain streams. Upon arrival we were greeted by thousands of grasshoppers smothering the dirt road headed through the meadow en route to the San Antonio River. I believe the recent monsoon weather was cause for an above-normal hatch of grasshoppers.

The fish were also abundant and gorging on the plentiful grasshoppers. The trick was to sneakily approach the stream undetected by the fish in the shallow water. If they caught sight of your movement, they would dart up or downstream, evading your attempt to fish for them.

We fished with medium-to-large foam hopper imitations and stimulator dry flies. The best fly colors for us were orange, yellow, red and grey with brown hackle and legs. We had a day full of action and landed multiple vibrant colorations of brown trout ranging in size from 6 to 10 inches.

Let us know how your fishing trip goes! Share your tips and tricks with your fellow anglers by emailing us at funfishingnm@gmail.com and let’s help the next generation of anglers find success.

Thanks for reading and supporting our angling community!