NORTHEAST

NORTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Eagle Nest Lake: Shaleigh Prock of Amarillo and Abagale Lopez (above left) caught four trout between 18-22 inches using Orange, Orange Twist, Rainbow and Cheese PowerBait on March 1. Michael Lopez Sr. (not pictured) also battled a very large grass carp during the trip. Larry Tafoya of Rio Rancho (above right) caught his limit of rainbow trout, with the longest being 20 inches, using Salmon Peach PowerBait on March 1.

Rio Grande: Megan W. (not pictured) caught a rainbow trout using a red squirrel leech beadhead fly at the Taos Junction Bridge on March 1.

Ute Lake: “Ruf-Nec” (not pictured) caught a white bass using slabs and blade baits on March 4.

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

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

Charette Lakes: The lakes reopened on March 1.

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was 4.53 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Clayton Lake: The lake reopened on March 1.

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

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

Cowles Ponds: Fishing for trout was slow.

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

Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing for rainbow trout was fair to good when using different varieties of PowerBait. For updated lake conditions and potential hazards, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Lake Alice: The lake is closed to ice activities due to hazardous ice conditions.

Lake Maloya: The lake is closed to ice activities due to hazardous ice conditions.

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

Maxwell Lake 13: The lake reopened on March 1.

Monastery Lake: The lake, which reopened on March 1, is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property.

Morphy Lake: The lake reopened on March 1.

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 19.6 cfs. Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using Streamer flies.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morningwas 34 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using black streamer flies and San Juan worm-pattern flies.

Red River Hatchery: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 563 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was good when using red squirrel leech beadhead flies at the Taos Junction Bridge.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was not measured due to ice.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was not measured due to ice.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was not measured due to ice.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Fishing for trout was very good when using spinners.

Shuree Ponds: The ponds are closed until July 1.

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

Storrie Lake: Boaters are asked to use caution as there is floating debris due to recent snowmelt. We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Ute Lake: Fishing for white bass was slow to fair when using slabs and blade baits.

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Bluewater Lake: Erwin Sice Jr. (above left) caught a catfish using worms on March 1. “It was a cold, windy day, but there were quite a few people roughing the brisk wind and big waves,” he said. “Even with the conditions, this big cat bit hard and fought well! They’re in there!” Adam Cheromiah, age 6 (above right), caught his first fish – a trout – using Garlic PowerBait on Feb. 25.

Jemez Waters: Derek Valencia caught four trout using a gold Panther Martin spinner on Feb. 26. “I was out in Jemez Springs for work and before the shift, I decided to fish a bit and landed this big guy,” he said.

San Juan River: Jakob Harris (above left) caught nine rainbow trout using bubble midge flies on March 1. “We had a lovely day wading the San Juan,” he said. “We had a mix of consistent action of both nymphs and some great sightfishing with dry flies for rising trout! This beast of a rainbow is my personal best and was just the icing on the cake for an amazing day on the water.” Jonathan Casados (above right) caught 20 rainbow trout using black Woolly Bugger flies in the quality waters on March 1. “San Juan River fishing was amazing this past weekend,” he said.

Tingley Beach: Jesus Alderete (above left) caught six trout using Yellow Cheese-Scented PowerBait on Feb. 28. “It was a very exciting experience,” he said. “They put up a really good fight. I hope to catch another one of these big, beautiful trout soon.” Dave Tartaglia (above right) caught four trout using Chartreuse Glitter PowerBait on Feb. 25.

NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Abiquiu Lake: Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371 for updated lake conditions and closure information.

Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Wednesday morning was 236 cfs.

Albuquerque Area Drains: Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using Panorama baits.

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using worms. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using Garlic-Scented PowerBait. Visit Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpageor call 505-876-2391 for more information.

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

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

Cochiti Lake: Fishing for northern pike was slow to fair when using drop shots and 4/0 EWG hooks with Texas-rigged yamatanukis.

El Vado Lake: Closed due to dam construction project. The park will reopen April 1. For more information, visit El Vado Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-588-7247.

Fenton Lake: The ice has mostly cleared and fishing is excellent from the bank. Visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-829-3630 for updates.

Grants Riverwalk Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Jackson Lake: Fishing for trout was slow when using corn.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 16.5 cfs. The Cebolla River remains frozen in some areas, while the Jemez River is running clear. Fishing for trout in the Jemez River was good when using gold Panther Martin spinners.

Laguna del Campo: Closed for the season. Reopens May 1.

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

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

Liam Knight Pond: Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using black-and-green jig heads.

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

Navajo Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week. The dam is closed to vehicle traffic until May.

Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 105 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 24.7 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good below Abiquiu when using streamer fly patterns. 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 only two trout.

Rio Grande: Streamflow at Albuquerque Wednesday morning was 518 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

San Gregorio Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Wednesday morning was 377 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using Bubble Midge flies and black Woolly Bugger flies.

Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: The ice has mostly cleared and fishing conditions are good. If you catch a native Rio Grande chub in the Kid’s Pond, please do not leave it on the bank; return it to the water where it can survive as part of our native ecosystem.

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

Tingley Beach: Fishing for trout was good to very good when using Yellow Cheese-Scented PowerBait and Chartreuse Glitter PowerBait.

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

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Bear Canyon Lake: Breanna Montoya caught 10 catfish using PowerBait on Feb. 27.

Bill Evans Lake: Ed Ramirez caught five rainbow trout using Garlic PowerBait while fishing with his girlfriend on March 2.

Elephant Butte Lake: Brandon Huff caught a striped bass using a jerkbait on Feb. 28. “I fought this striper for 15 minutes,” he said.

Escondida Lake: Charles Kershaw (above) caught a carp using a spoon on Feb. 22. “I was fishing for trout and bass but hooked this monster accidentally,” he said. “I fought him for about 20 minutes on an ultralight rod.”

Lake Roberts: Scott Burns (not pictured) caught 10 trout using PowerBait on the south side of the lake on Feb. 25.

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Alumni Pond: Closed for repairs until further notice.

Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing for catfish was good when using PowerBait.

Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for rainbow trout was fair to good when using Garlic PowerBait.

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

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for striped bass was slow to fair when using jerkbaits.

Escondida Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using worms.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 57.3 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 48.1 cfs.

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

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

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

Quemado Lake: The lake has thawed and is open to the public. Fishing for trout was slow when using PowerBait.

Rancho Grande Ponds: Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using PowerBait.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was less than 1 cfs.

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

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

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

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Alto Lake: David Bryant (not pictured) caught five trout using PowerBait on March 3. “The wind was absolutely horrible, but the fish didn’t care,” he said.

Grindstone Reservoir: George Sibley (above) and his son, Tim, from El Paso caught two trout using worms and Salmon Glitter PowerBait on March 1. “We saw many trout being caught around us,” George said. Tom Moore (not pictured) caught and released 20 trout within a three-hour span using a grub spinner on Feb. 28.

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Alto Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using PowerBait.

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

Berrendo Creek: Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on this property.

Black River: Streamflow at Malaga Wednesday morning was 4.31 cfs.

Blue Hole Park Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Bonito Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using corn and Orange PowerBait. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.

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

Bottomless Lakes: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using White PowerBait and corn.

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

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using Trout Magnets and spinners.

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

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

Dennis Chavez Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Eunice Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was slow to fair when using 3/16 oz. jigs and Z-Man TRD CrawZ.

Green Meadow Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using PowerBait.

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

Grindstone Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using worms and Salmon Glitter PowerBait, as well as grub spinners. Grindstone Lake is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildlife impact closures, please see theGrindstone Lake Webpage before planning a visit.

Harry McAdams Park Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

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

Ned Houk Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Oasis Park Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 95.5 cfs.

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

Rio Bonito: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 4.4 cfs.

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

Santa Rosa Lake: The boat ramp is open.

Spring River Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Sumner Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week. The Eastside Campground and Eastside Shoreline are now closed for the winter season and will reopen April 1.

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

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

Decades of Work Keeps Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout off Endangered Species List

Editor’s Note: The full article and photos are available here.

Decades of dedicated conservation work by the Department and its partners have secured a bright future for the Rio Grande cutthroat trout (RGCT). This collaborative effort culminated in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s recent decision that the species does not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act, affirming its long-term stability throughout its range.

The Rio Grande cutthroat trout, New Mexico’s state fish, is native to high-elevation streams in New Mexico and Colorado, including watersheds of the Canadian, Pecos and Rio Grande rivers. The species is threatened by competition and hybridization with nonnative trout, such as rainbow, brook and brown trout, as well as habitat loss, drought and the effects of wildfires.

Conservation efforts for the RGCT date back to the 1960s and 1970s. In 1989, the Department created a dedicated biologist position to focus on RGCT conservation. In 2003, the RGCT Conservation Team was established, bringing together federal and state agencies, tribes, municipalities, non-governmental organizations and private landowners. This collaborative group has worked tirelessly to protect and restore RGCT populations across the region.

The Department has led several recent projects to remove nonnative trout and reintroduce the RGCT into its native habitats. At the Seven Springs Hatchery, a broodstock program established by the Department produces thousands of RGCT annually. This source of fish is key to providing angler opportunities and creating new populations throughout New Mexico.

One of the most notable achievements is the Rio Costilla restoration project, which added more than 120 miles of stream, 16 lakes and a reservoir of protected RGCT habitat. This project also restored populations of the Rio Grande chub and sucker, which were similarly kept off the Endangered Species list this year. Additional restoration efforts have been completed on Middle Ponil Creek and Willow Creek, with new projects, such as Cow Creek in the Pecos watershed, currently under way.

To address the impacts of wildfires, the Department and its partners have salvaged RGCT populations from affected areas, relocating them to unoccupied streams or incorporating them into hatchery programs for future stocking. Following post-fire flooding, biologists evaluate stream conditions to identify opportunities for future restoration, ensuring the species will continue to thrive.

The decision not to list the RGCT as threatened or endangered highlights the success of the Department’s conservation initiatives and partnerships. While this decision is a significant milestone, the Department remains committed to the long-term survival of the Rio Grande cutthroat trout. This iconic species is a vital part of New Mexico’s natural heritage, and the Department will continue its efforts to ensure it thrives in its native habitat for generations to come.