Fishing Report

Alumni Pond: Josue Macias of Las Cruces caught a 17-inch, 2.5-pound largemouth bass using a purple plastic worm July 22.

Bluewater Lake: Sally Lopez of Las Vegas caught and released a 36-inch tiger muskie using a hot dog July 20. Anthony and Elizabeth Pacheco of Grants caught 11 tiger muskie, ranging in size from 35-42 inches, using cut bait and crankbaits July 16-17.

Cochiti Lake: Darrell Smith, age 14, of Church Rock caught a 31-inch, 3-pound catfish using a hot dog July 22. Nate Gallegos of Santa Fe caught a 14-inch smallmouth bass using a white spinner July 22.

Gila River: Ethan Rudd, age 6, of Silver City caught an 18-inch catfish using a worm near the Gila River headwaters July 14.

Quemado Lake: Al Maldonado, age 87, of Quemado caught a 13-inch rainbow trout using worms July 15.

San Juan River: Rachel Pineda, from Alexander, Arkansas, caught a 24-inch brown trout and her husband John caught a 22-inch rainbow trout using a DK special fly and a red larva fly July 19.

Seven Springs Brood Pond: Jovette N. Phillips, age 4, of Phelan, California, caught a 14.5-inch rainbow trout using green garlic PowerBait July 19. Luke Chavez, age 8, of Albuquerque caught a 17-inch rainbow trout using chartreuse PowerBait July 16.

Springer Lake: Nathan Randall of Albuquerque caught and released a 36-inch pike using a chatterbait with a Roboworm trailer July 20.

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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Clayton Lake: 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 trolling with skirt lures or using 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 fair to good when using orange PowerBait.

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: 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 64.3 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using salmon eggs.

Rio Grande: Fishing for trout was good when using worms and black and gold Panther Martin spinners near Pilar.

Rio Hondo: 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.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Monday morning was 76.6 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 69 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.

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 was good when using chatterbaits with plastic Roboworm trailers. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using 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 15-20 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 10-16 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 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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for tiger muskie was good when using cut bait, crankbaits, Whopper Plopper lures and hot dogs.

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: 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 white bass was fair to good when using white spinners. Fishing for catfish was good when using hot dogs.

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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Jemez Waters: 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 Pistol Pete spinner flies.

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 fair to 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: 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 green garlic PowerBait.

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

Tingley Beach: Fishing for catfish was slow when using cut bait.

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 blue and gold Blue Fox spinners and purple plastic worms. Fishing for catfish was slow.

Bear Canyon Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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 minnows. Fishing for walleye was good when using yellow and red Panther Martin spinners. Fishing for white bass was fair to good when using crankbaits and yellow and red Panther Martin spinners.

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 and chicken liver.

Gila River: Fishing for catfish was good when using worms.

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 good when using worms and light-colored dry flies.

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 stink bait. Fishing for bluegill was good when using live worms and flies.

Young Pond: Fishing for catfish was slow.

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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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 bass was good when using dark-blue, soft-plastic Texas rigged worms. Fishing for catfish was slow when using worms.

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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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.

A Catch of the Week fishing photo can be the biggest, baddest fish you’ve caught recently, a catch from a special moment with family and friends or any catch you are proud to share. We also like to hear and share the stories you have from you’re your fishing adventures. Each week we get tons of fishing report pictures, and we absolutely love all of them!

Here are a few tips to help increase your pictures odds of being published.

1. Clean your fish. Try to remove any dirt, debris and blood. We want the fish to look as pretty as possible. Often, just a quick dip in the water will make your fish look more appealing.
2. Choose a background that preferably shows the natural setting where you are fishing. Backgrounds that have water, trees, mountains, etc. look excellent.
3. Try not to have the sun at your back when you take your picture. When the sun is behind you much detail is lost to shadows.
4. Smile 😊

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!