New Mexico fishing and stocking report

Alto Lake: Nathan Stegent of Canyon, Texas, caught a 26-inch catfish using a garlic scented nightcrawler worm July 8.

Bluewater Lake: Charlie Muttitt, age 12, of Albuquerque caught a 35-inch tiger muskie using an orange and chartreuse jerkbait July 3.

Cabresto Lake: Elijon Casados, age 11, of Albuquerque caught a 10-inch brook trout using a gold Mepps spinner July 3.

Canjilon Lakes: Julia Rivera, age 10, of Nambe caught a 19-inch rainbow trout using rainbow PowerBait July 2.

Conchas Lake: Candis Brinegar of San Miguel caught her limit of walleye, ranging in size from 18 to 20 inches, using 3-inch Lunker Grubs tipped with worm July 4.

Eagle Nest Lake: Mady Kettler, age 17, of Corrales caught a 23-inch, 3.5-pound rainbow trout using a Panther Martin spinner tipped with peach salmon PowerBait July 6. Mateo Trujillo, age 3, of Rio Rancho caught his limit of trout averaging around 12 inches using rainbow PowerBait and worms July 3.

Heron Lake: Angelo Saiz of Albuquerque caught a 16-inch rainbow trout using garlic PowerBait July 1.

Hopewell Lake: Tom Chrobocinski of Ojo Caliente caught and released a 19-inch rainbow trout using a fly under a clear bobber July 8.

Jal Lake: Titus Spalding of Eunice caught a 27-inch, 6-pound catfish using worms July 5.

Navajo Lake: Gabriel Chavez, age 9, of Albuquerque caught a 30-inch pike using a 4-inch green grub July 3.

Pecos River: Ava D’Alessandro, age 8, of Santa Fe caught a 13-inch brown trout using worms July 3.

San Gregorio Lake: Martin Molina of Rio Rancho caught a 26-inch rainbow trout using PowerBait July 8.

San Juan River: Jeff Fredenburg of Los Alamos caught a 22-inch rainbow trout using a chocolate foam wing midge fly in the Quality Waters section July 4.

Seven Springs Brood Pond: Landen Baros, age 10, of Pueblo of Pojoaque caught a 17-inch rainbow trout using garlic chartreuse PowerBait June 3. Adrial Quintana, age 10, of Rio Rancho caught his limit of trout, including two measuring 19 inches, using peach PowerBait June 30.

Trout Lakes: Angelo Saiz and Cathleen Sanchez, both of Albuquerque caught their limits of trout using pink PowerBait, corn and salmon eggs July 2.

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 worms and rainbow PowerBait. Fishing for pike was fair to good when using rainbow trout pattern Rapala lures.

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

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) 438-5300for 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 webpage or 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 PowerBait, Pistol Pete spinner flies, corn and dough bait.

Los Pinos 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.

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

Middle Ponil Creek: The Department will be conducting a native fish restoration project in Middle Ponil Creek from July 11-17 to remove non-native, hybrid fish to create suitable habitat for stocking Rio Grande cutthroat trout rescued from the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire. Public access will be restricted from the headwaters to the FR 1910 crossing. Cimarron Campground and Upper Shuree Pond will remain open.

Monastery Lake: The lake is currently closed due to wildfire rehabilitation efforts but is set to reopen on August 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 70.3 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using salmon eggs, beadhead nymph flies, hare’s-ear nymph flies and dry flies in the mornings and evenings.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge Monday morning was 327 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using black and gold Panther Martin spinners near Pilar. Fishing for bass was fair when using Panther Martin spinners.

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 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 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 46.8 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using stimulator flies and red Copper John flies. 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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Springer Lake: Fishing for catfish was good when using chicken liver and nightcrawler worms.

Storrie Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using pink and orange PowerBait.

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

Ute Lake: Fishing for walleye was good when using Walleye Diver lures, Flicker Shad lures and trolling lures that dive to 12 feet deep. Fishing for white bass was good when using topwater baits. Fishing for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass was good when using stick worms, artificial crawdad baits, jigs and tube baits in 10 to 14 feet of water. Fishing for crappie was fair to good when using live minnows at night under artificial lights at night near brush. Fishing for catfish was good when using Magic Bait and Danny King’s Catfish Punch Bait. Fishing for bluegill was good when using nightcrawler worms. The main lake water surface temperature was in the 70-degrees Fahrenheit range and the water clarity was clear.

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

Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Monday morning was 378 cfs.

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

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for tiger muskie was good when using orange and chartreuse jerkbaits and shad pattern crankbaits.

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 131 cfs and 116 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 swimbaits. Fishing for crappie was slow to fair when using swimbaits. Fishing for catfish was good when using chicken liver, hot dogs and worms.

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 nymph flies, worms, salmon eggs and garlic PowerBait.

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 to good when using garlic PowerBait.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Monday morning was 79.9 cfs. 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) 758-6200for 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 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 403 cfs. Fishing for trout in the quality waters was fair to good when using size 24 grey foam wing emerger flies and size 24 root beer midge emerger 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 pink PowerBait, corn and salmon eggs.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.

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

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

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

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair when using worms.

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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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 worms and peach PowerBait. 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 72.2 cfs.

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 5.82 cfs.

Santa Rosa Lake: Boat ramp temporarily closed for water release.

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-degrees Fahrenheit range.

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

By Mady Kettler

I’ve been getting the New Mexico fishing report for years, even checking it in my classes at school. I have also grown up on Eagle Nest Lake fishing since I was born. Eagle Nest Lake is very important to me, since my grandpa used to visit the lake along with my mom. My love for the lake has been passed down from both of them. I have fished both from the bank as well as trolling on a boat. On July 6, I had the biggest catch my family has had. I caught a 23-inch, 3.5-pound rainbow trout on peach salmon PowerBait and a Panther Martin lure. It was such a special moment to be able to share with my mom, dad and brother (who used the net to bring it in the boat). We all were so excited that I’m pretty sure everyone on the lake heard and saw our celebration. The only tips I could give are to have a trolling speed of about 2.4 mph, as well as letting the lure out as far as possible. Sometimes, saying a “here fishy fishy” helps as well.

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!