NORTHEAST

NORTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Charette Lakes: Pam Masek (not pictured) caught two trout using a crawler and salmon eggs on March 25.

Eagle Rock Lake: Amias and Julian Poncho (above) caught their limits of rainbow trout using Salmon Peach PowerBait on April 6. “Perfect way to end a wedding trip weekend,” they said.

Pecos River: Krista Black of Santa Fe (not pictured) caught her first fish ever, a 12-inch rainbow trout, using worms on April 7.

Rio Grande: Brenden Jemison (not pictured) caught eight rainbow trout using a rainbow-colored spinner below the John Dunn Bridge on April 6. 

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Mary Tafoya and her daughter caught five trout using Pink and Orange PowerBait on April 4. “We took a spontaneous mother/daughter outing to Santa Cruz Lake,” Mary said. “The weather was perfect and the fish were very active. We both hooked fish within the first five minutes after we had arrived!” Michael A Beaty (not pictured) caught his limit of trout using PowerBait on April 6. “I only fished from 8-11 a.m.,” he said. “The action slowed down drastically by 11. Most were in the 10-12-inch range, caught a few that were 13-16 inches and left with my limit of five.”

Ute Lake: Joey Muniz caught 15 walleye using shad lures on March 28. “We had an excellent and fun fishing trip,” he said. “I took my daughter Jody and her boyfriend Isaac. When we got home, my grandson Cirilo Muniz, age 3, was so excited to hold the fish!”

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

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

Charette Lakes: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using crawlers and salmon eggs.

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was 12.5 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Clayton Lake: Fishing for trout was slow when using PowerBait.

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 very good when using PowerBait off the shore. For updated lake conditions and potential hazards, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

Eagle Rock Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using Salmon Peach PowerBait.

Gallinas River: National Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Call the Santa Fe National Forest office at 505-438-5300for the latest closure information.

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

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

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

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

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

Monastery Lake: Fishing for trout was slow when using White and Green PowerBait. The lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property.

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

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 83.8 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using worms.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morningwas 43.7 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using Garlic Chartreuse PowerBait Marshmallows.

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

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 271 cfs. Fishing for trout below the John Dunn Bridge was good when using rainbow-colored spinners.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 11.8 cfs.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 44.2 cfs.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was 39.1 cfs.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Fishing for trout was very good when using a variety of PowerBait.

Shuree Ponds: The ponds are closed until July 1.

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

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

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

Ute Lake: Fishing for walleye was good when using shad lures.

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Albuquerque Area Drains: James Ahlgren caught and released a 5-pound largemouth bass using a citrus shad crankbait behind the Allsups in Rio Communities on April 4.

Bluewater Lake: Chance Benton, a teen cancer survivor from Albuquerque, caught seven trout and this tiger muskie using hot dogs and worms on April 3. “He played hooky from work,” Stacey Turpen said. “Beautiful lake, beautiful time and well worth the day off.”

Fenton Lake: Milton Cordoba caught eight trout using PowerBait and Kastmasters on April 5. “I was using a Kastmaster when I got this bite,” he said. “It didn’t really feel big at first until it started pulling my drag. It was fighting for about five minutes until I landed it.”

Jemez Waters: Kevin Conlin (not pictured) caught six brown trout using flies on the east fork on March 29. “Slow fishing for small browns downstream from the Las Conchas trailhead,” he said. “Fish were widely spaced. Most took a zebra midge underneath a foam spider. Some parts of the river were inaccessible due to snow/ice cover.”

Tingley Beach: Tommy caught four trout using PowerBait on April 3.

NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Abiquiu Lake: Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371 for updated lake conditions and closure information. Fishing for rainbow trout was slow to fair when using bubble gum steelhead worms.

Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Wednesday morning was 198 cfs.

Albuquerque Area Drains: Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using citrus shad crankbaits.

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for trout and tiger muskie was very good when using hot dogs and worms. Visit Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpage or call 505-876-2391 for more information.

Brazos River: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Cochiti Lake: Fishing for northern pike was good when using crankbaits and Fire Tiger double gold-bladed spinnerbaits.

El Vado Lake: The day use area remains closed due to the dam construction project, with low water levels rendering motorboat operation impossible and angling opportunities all but nonexistent. For more information, visit El Vado Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-588-7247.

Fenton Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using PowerBait and Kastmasters. 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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 33.6 cfs. Fishing for brown trout on the East Fork was slow when using flies.

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 when using White PowerBait.

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 153 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 167 cfs. Fishing for trout below Abiquiu Lake was fair to good when using Siberian Nymph flies. 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 323 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 397 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was fair to good when using Orange and Pink Garlic-Scented PowerBait in the bait section and black midges in the quality waters.

Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: Fishing for trout was very good when using Purple PowerBait. 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 fair to good when using PowerBait.

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

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Gila Waters: Kevin Conlin (not pictured) caught six Gila trout using flies on Whitewater Creek on March 27. “Water was very clear and low and the fish were very spooky,” he said. “I landed six small Gila trout using a foam spider with zebra midge dropper. I saw a pod of five very large Gilas in one pool, but was unable to get them to take my fly.”

Quemado Lake: Ricky Nyhuis (not pictured) caught his limit of trout ranging from 13-15 inches using Garlic PowerBait on April 3.

Young Pond: Thomas Guzman caught four bluegill using Neon Green Glitter PowerBait on March 26. “Overcast day, but super nice,” he said. “Fish started biting around 2 p.m. My wife and I practically had the whole pond to ourselves. It was a good day!”

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Alumni Pond: Closed for repairs until further notice.

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

Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using gold spoons. Fishing for bass was slow.

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

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for striped bass was slow to fair when using jerkbaits. Fishing for catfish was good when using cut bait and very good when using chicken.

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

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 47.7 cfs. Fishing for trout was very good when using Parachute Adams flies.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 43.7 cfs. Fishing for Gila trout in Whitewater Creek was slow to fair when using flies.

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

Lake Roberts: Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait.

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

Quemado Lake: Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using Garlic 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 1.85 cfs.

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

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

Young Pond: Fishing for bluegill was good when using Neon Green Glitter PowerBait.

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Bonito Lake: Amy V. (not pictured) caught seven trout in an hour using Salmon Peach PowerBait on March 27.

Grindstone Reservoir: Cambria Huffman and her father, Zachary, caught their limits of trout using PowerBait and marshmallows on April 7. “I took my daughter out for her third time fishing,” Zachary said. “We each caught a 13-inch trout and our smallest was 11½ inches out of all 10. She had an amazing experience.” Brian Powers (not pictured) caught six trout using a chrome Kastmaster on April 6.

Ned Houk Ponds: Alejandro Duarte (not pictured) caught three channel catfish using hot dogs with Kool-Aid and two more using nightcrawlers on April 3.

Sumner Lake: Ryan Curry and Bryan McAlister caught walleye and bass during a trip April 3.

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Alto Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good when using jackhammer chatter baits.

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 7.08 cfs.

Blue Hole Park Pond: Fishing for trout was slow when using PowerBait and lures.

Bonito Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using Salmon Peach PowerBait. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.

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

Bottomless Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week. State Road 409 is closed from Bottomless Lakes Visitor Center to Skidmarks Trail, between mile markers 8-13. Access to Bottomless Lakes is open via the upper road of State Road 409.

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: We had no reports from anglers this week

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 PowerBait, marshmallows and chrome Kastmasters. Grindstone Lake is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildlife impact closures, please see the Grindstone 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: Fishing for trout was slow when using spinners.

Ned Houk Ponds: Fishing for channel catfish was slow to fair when using hot dogs with Kool-Aid and nightcrawlers.

Oasis Park Lake: Fishing for trout and catfish was slow when using corn.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 79.7 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: Fishing for smallmouth bass was slow when using soft, plastic finesse worms and Ned rigs.

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

Sumner Lake: Anglers had success catching walleye and bass.

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

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

Stay Safe on the Water!

By New Mexico State Parks

Most boaters know they are required to have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket for every person on their boat. State Parks recommends that all boaters and passengers always wear a life jacket while boating. Accidents on the water can happen much too fast to put on a life jacket. The major cause of all boating related deaths is drowning—and most drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket.

The good news is that today’s life jackets are much more comfortable, lightweight, and stylish than the bulky orange style most boaters know. Life jackets that use inflatable technologies are cool and comfortable. They may resemble a pair of suspenders or a belt pack. Many inflate automatically when immersed in water.

It’s the Law

• All vessels must have at least one USCG-approved wearable life jacket for each person on board.
• All vessels (except for personal watercraft, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and rubber rafts) must have one USCG-approvedthrowable personal flotation device on board.
• Every person on board a personal watercraft must wear a USCG-approved life jacket.
• Every person on board a human-powered watercraft and paddlecraft must wear a USCG-approved life jacket.
• Every person using a wind sail board, inner tube, air mattress, float tube, or other inflatable device must wear a USCG-approved life jacket or flotation assist device.
• Every person boating on a river or in a boat race must wear a USCG-approved life jacket.
• Children under the age of 13 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket while underway unless the child is below deck or in an enclosed cabin.

All Life Jackets Must Be:

• In good and serviceable condition, which means no tears, rips, or broken straps or snaps,
• Readily accessible, which means you can put the life jacket on quickly in an emergency, and
• Of the proper size for the intended wearer. Sizing for life jackets is based on body weight and chest size.

Make Sure It Fits

Try it on

You don’t want your life jacket too large or too small.  A snug fit is a proper fit.  Remember, life jackets for adults do not work for children.

1. Make sure the life jacket is properly fastened.
2. All straps, buckles or zippers are secure.
3. Hold your arms straight up over your head.
4. Ask a friend to grasp the tops of the arm openings and gently pull up.
5. A snug fit shows the life jacket fits properly.

Warnings

Double check that your life jacket is approved for your favorite water activities. Read the label!  Some life jackets are NOT approved for:

• Water skiing or tubing
• Personal watercraft or wakeboarding
• White water paddling