Fishing Report

Alumni Pond: Noah Benavidez, age 11, of Las Cruces caught a 12-inch bass using a worm Aug. 6. Albert Gonzales of El Paso, Texas, caught a 6-pound catfish using a hot dog July 29.

Bluewater Lake: Donovan Maruch of Albuquerque caught a 42-inch, 17-pound tiger muskie using a swimbait July 31.

Brantley Lake: Jeneva Martinez of Roswell caught a 16-inch, 2.5-pound largemouth bass using a nightcrawler worm July 31.

Cimarron River: Jennifer Macke of Albuquerque caught an 18.5-inch trout at Gravel Pit Lakes in Cimarron Canyon State Park using homemade dough bait July 30.

Cochiti Lake: Zach and Courtney Stimson of Rio Rancho caught a 29-inch, 10.5-pound catfish using minnows and a 25-inch, 6-pound catfish using chicken liver Aug. 1. Jothum Stallings Junior, age 13, of Albuquerque caught an 18-inch smallmouth bass using a jig with a 4-inch chartreuse twin curly tail grub.

Elephant Butte Lake: Dennis Duran of Albuquerque caught a 5-pound, 12-ounce largemouth bass using a Googan crankbait July 31. Aaron Gutierrez of Albuquerque caught a 17-inch largemouth bass using a white minnow buzz bait July 24.

Greene Acres Lake: Patrick Mondragon of Clovis caught an 8-pound catfish using shrimp marinated in Pautzke catfish nectar July 31.

Red River: Amrek and Drake Wilson, ages 12 and 10, of Cyril, Oklahoma, caught a 22-inch rainbow trout and an 18-inch rainbow trout using pink PowerBait worms at the Red River City Pond July 22.

San Juan River: Emmet Fowler of Farmington caught a 24-inch, 6-pound rainbow trout using a size 24 zebra midge fly Aug. 2. Shapes Padilla of Belen caught a 23-inch brown trout using a minnow fly Aug. 1.

Seven Springs Brood Pond: Josiah Salazar, age 5, of Albuquerque caught his first fish, a 13-inch rainbow trout, using orange PowerBait Aug. 6.

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: Fishing for trout was good when using salmon peach PowerBait.

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Monday morning was 34.5 cubic feet per second (cfs). Fishing for trout was good using caddis dry flies and hopper dry flies. Fishing for trout at Gravel Pit Lakes was good when using homemade dough bait.

Clayton Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using chicken liver and homemade dough baits.

Conchas Lake: Fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass was good when using wacky rigged plastic worms.

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. 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 fair to good when using dry flies and salmon peach PowerBait.

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) 438-5300 for the latest closure information.

Hopewell Lake: 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 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 will remain closed until further notice. 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 206 cfs. National forest and state park closures have been 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 115 cfs. Fishing for trout was slow when using live worms and Panther Martin spinners.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge Monday morning was 648 cfs. Anglers reported high water levels and muddy water.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Monday morning was 57.2 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 149 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 29.0 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using stimulator flies and red Copper John 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.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

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

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

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

Ute Lake: Fishing for walleye was slow. Fishing for white bass was good when using vertical jigs and spoons for suspended fish in 25-30 feet of water. Fishing for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass was good when using drop shot rigs in 8-26 feet of water, and top water lures in the back of coves. Fishing for crappie was slow. Fishing for catfish was good when using punch bait. The main lake water surface temperature was in the lower 80 F 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 552 cfs. Albuquerque Area Drains:We had no reports from anglers this week.

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for tiger muskie was good when using swimbaits and Rapala jerk baits.

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

Canjilon Lakes: Fishing for trout was good when using Pistol Pete spinner flies 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.

Cochiti Lake: Fishing for bass was fair to good when using twin tail chartreuse curly tail grubs. Fishing for catfish was good when using minnows and chicken liver.

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 the 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 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 stockings 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. 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 smallmouth bass was good when using plastic worms and Ned rigs in 10-20 feet of water. Fishing for kokanee salmon was fair to good when using pink and orange spinners tipped with corn.

Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake and below Abiquiu Lake Monday morning was 461 cfs and 508 cfs, respectively. 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.

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: 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 362 cfs. Fishing for trout in the quality waters was good when using size 24 zebra midge flies, grey foam wing emerger flies, crystal flash midge flies and minnow flies. Fishing for trout in the bait waters was fair to good when using worms, red annelid flies and black and gold spinners.

Seven Springs Brood Pond: Fishing for trout was good when using orange PowerBait.

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

Tingley Beach: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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.

Alumni Pond: Fishing for bass was fair to good when using worms and blue and white crankbaits. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using worms and hot dogs.

Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing for all species was slow.

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

Caballo Lake: Fishing for crappie was slow when using live minnows and small jigs. Fishing for bass was slow to fair when using crankbaits. Fishing for walleye was good when using small red deep-diving crankbaits. Fishing for white bass was fair when using small crankbaits.

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 Googan crankbaits and white minnow buzz baits. Fishing for white bass was very good when using curly-tail grubs and Sassy shad. Fishing for crappie was fair to good when using Sassy shad and live minnows. Fishing for walleye was slow when using green grubs, nightcrawler worms and curly tail grubs.

Escondida Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair when using shrimp and nightcrawler worms.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Monday morning was 213 cfs. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using cut bait.

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

Lake Roberts: Fishing for trout was fair when using salmon eggs and PowerBait. Fishing for catfish was good when using chicken liver.

Percha Dam: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Quemado Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using dry flies during the morning and nymph flies in 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 good when using 3-inch plastic worms. Fishing for catfish was good when using cut carp bait and live worms.

Young Pond: Fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using Smoky Links sausage, nightcrawler worms and chicken liver.

Alto Lake: Fishing for trout was slow when using worms. Fishing for catfish was fair when using nightcrawler worms.

Bataan Lake: Fishing for catfish was good when using shrimp, worms and 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 8.90 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.

Bosque Redondo Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair when using nightcrawler worms. Fishing for bluegill was 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 nightcrawler worms and wacky rigged Senko worms. Fishing for catfish was fair 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 shrimp marinated in Pautzke catfish nectar.

Grindstone Reservoir: Fishing for trout was fair when using chartreuse PowerBait.

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

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

Oasis Park Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair when using nightcrawler worms.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Monday morning was 121 cfs.

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

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

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood Monday morning was 5.28 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using worms.

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

Santa Rosa Lake: A water release on Friday will drop the lake level to a previous low where the boat ramp will not be usable.

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

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

Nymphing Trick

I was fishing the San Juan last weekend with a good friend, Chris Gallegos. Chris is an expert fly fisherman and he taught me a trick that others might also find useful.

We were fishing in slow water for trout with tiny midge flies. The trout were taking the flies, but very subtly. The fish bites were so subtle that the fish would often eat the fly and spit it out without moving the strike indicator. Chris taught me to watch the fish instead of the indicator. For this to work, you must visualize where your fly is in the water because you can’t actually see the tiny fly. When your presumed fly approaches a fish that you are watching, you carefully watch the fish for out-of-place movements or the opening and closing of their mouth. Those are indications that the fish might have taken your fly. To my amazement, it worked quite well! At first, it feels like a guessing game, but the closer you look, the more you realize how many fish bites go undetected.

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!