NORTHEAST

NORTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Conchas Lake: Jim Scaggs caught 14 largemouth bass using a crankbait on May 3. “I caught small ones all day, then got a 3.9 (pound) largemouth on a custom-painted crankbait after the wind calmed down in the afternoon,” he said. Jared Fishburn (not pictured) caught seven smallmouth bass using spinnerbaits on April 27.

Eagle Nest Lake: Ozzie Villegas (above left) caught four rainbow trout using Salmon Peach PowerBait on May 3. Gary Clark, Sloan Moralez and Grayson Moralez (above right) caught 15 rainbow trout using Salmon Peach PowerBait on May 3.

Monastery Lake: JR Chapman (not pictured) caught four trout using PowerBait dough on May 2.

Morphy Lake: Alejandro Pacheco (not pictured) caught five trout using a gold Trout Magnet from his kayak on May 3. Landon Trujillo (top left) caught five trout on April 26. Father and daughter Don and Dawn CdeBaca (top right), of Las Vegas, N.M., caught and released 23 trout using a variety of flies and spinners on May 1. Dawn caught a personal-best 16-inch trout. Gabrielle Ortega (above) caught this trout – her biggest fish so far – using a Pistol Pete on April 26.

Pecos River: Bruce Handrich (not pictured) had a successful day of trout fishing using PowerBait and orange-and-green Trout Magnets on May 1.

Red River: Scott Kester II (not pictured) caught five rainbow trout below the Red River Hatchery using worms.

Rio Mora: Bruce Handrich caught and released 30 trout using worms on a small No. 12 hook on May 1.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Luke Trujillo caught his first fish, a trout, using a spinner on April 27.

Storrie Lake: Estevan Marquez, age 3, caught his first fish using Spring Green PowerBait on May 1.

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 81 cubic feet per second (cfs).

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

Conchas Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was slow to fair when using crankbaits. Fishing for smallmouth bass was fair to good when using spinnerbaits.

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 good when using Salmon Peach 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: 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 505-438-5300 for 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: Fishing for trout was good when trolling black Pistol Petes with silver spinners.

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 fair to good when using PowerBait dough. The lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property.

Morphy Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using gold Trout Magnets and Pistol Petes.

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 146 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait and orange-and-green Trout Magnets. Pecos High School students performed a benthic survey of the stream bed and found “many mayflies, caddis and stone flies, as well as many other insect species, indicating a very healthy stream,” Dan Muenzberg reported.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 65.8 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was good when using worms.

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

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 584 cfs. Fishing for brown trout below the John Dunn Bridge was good when using yellow, red-polka-dot Panther Martin spinners. Fishing for brown trout at the Taos Junction Bridge was slow to fair when using nightcrawlers.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 22.8 cfs.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 60.1 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using worms on a No. 12 hook.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was 67.4 cfs.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Fishing for trout was 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: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using Spring Green PowerBait.

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

Bluewater Lake: Michelle Rivera (not pictured) caught five trout using Green PowerBait on May 3. Ahmet Gillespie (top) caught five trout using a Pistol Pete on May 3. Santiago Chavez (not pictured) caught three tiger muskie using Orange PowerBait on April 26. Khalil Rodriguez (above left and above right) caught two tiger muskie using waterdogs and a Savage Gear Lizard on April 30. “It was a super cold, windy day,” he said. “I was surprised the muskie were active. I also caught a few trout from 14-16 inches.”

Cochiti Lake: Carlos Leger (above left) caught two white bass using a chartreuse crankbait while trolling in a kayak on May 3. Jared Harris (above right) caught two crappie, the pictured 13-incher and a 12-incher, as well as a 16-inch white bass using a natural-colored crankbait on April 26.

Fenton Lake: Kathy and Carl Sanchez (not pictured) caught 21 trout using worms on May 1. EsCee (pictured) caught five trout using Garlic PowerBait on April 12.

Jemez Waters: Carter Patricio caught three rainbow trout and one brown trout using Natural Scent PowerBait and worms on the Rio Cebolla waters on April 26.

Laguna del Campo: Nolan Tapia Patton, age 9, caught three trout using PowerBait on May 1.

Lake Farmington: Drex Marquez, age 6 (above left), caught a rainbow trout using PowerBait on May 3. Kadyn Marquez, age 3 (above right), caught a smaller rainbow trout using PowerBait on his Spider-Man pole on May 3.

Navajo Lake: Joshua Laino caught an 18.8-pound northern pike using a jerkbait in Francis Canyon on April 29. “There were several pike caught on this day, and a few smallmouth, which are still rather lethargic,” he said.

San Juan River: Lucas Willow (above left) caught brown trout and rainbow trout using streamers. He also caught “a lot of browns” using small dry flies and black-grey midges in the quality waters on May 3. Conner Jarrett (above right), caught his first rainbow trout using a size-26 fly during a guided trip arranged by his grandfather, Jeff Braithwaite, on April 29.

NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Abiquiu Lake: Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371 for updated lake conditions and closure information. We had no reports from anglers this week.

Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Wednesday morning was 686 cfs.

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

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using Green PowerBait and Pistol Petes. Fishing for tiger muskie was good when using Orange PowerBait. 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 white bass was slow when using chartreuse crankbaits and natural-colored crankbaits. Fishing for crappie was slow when using natural-colored crankbaits.

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 good when using San Juan worms. 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 77.7 cfs. Fishing for trout on the Rio Cebolla waters was good when using Natural Scent PowerBait and worms. Fishing for brown trout on the East Fork was slow to fair when using dry flies and nymphs.

Laguna del Campo: Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using PowerBait.

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

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

Liam Knight Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Navajo Lake: Fishing for northern pike was slow to fair when slowly working a jerkbait in Francis Canyon. The dam is closed to vehicle traffic until May.

Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 330 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 204 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.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 606 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 424 cfs. Fishing for brown trout and rainbow trout was good when using streamers, emergers and dry flies in the quality waters.

Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: Fishing for trout was very good when using PowerBait and worms. 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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Elephant Butte Lake: Joe Fisher (top left) caught and released a striped bass using a curly-tail grub on May 4. Anthony Dupree (top right) caught eight white bass, with the largest being 12.5 pounds, using curly-tail grubs on May 3. Max I. Garcia (above left) caught three smallmouth bass using crankbaits and spoons on May 3. Isaac Mossburg (above right) caught two smallmouth bass using a crankbait in the Rock Canyon area on May 3. Erika Ecsedy, her boyfriend and her niece (not pictured) caught 10 catfish, three drum and one walleye using shiners and worms on April 20.

Gila River: Brian Culligan (not pictured) caught two trout using a fly on April 29.

Quemado Lake: Kaia Rivera, from Laguna Pueblo, caught five trout using Salmon Peach PowerBait on April 27 after a great weekend of turkey hunting.

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Alumni Pond: Closed for repairs until further notice.

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

Bill Evans Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for white bass and striped bass was very good when using curly-tail grubs. Fishing for smallmouth bass was fair to good when using crankbaits and spoons.

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

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 43.3 cfs. Fishing for trout was slow when using flies.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 42 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

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: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using Salmon Peach PowerBait.

Rancho Grande Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 464 cfs.

Snow Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week. The area, including the boat launch and the trailhead, has been temporarily closed because of the Iron Fire.

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

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

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

 Bonito Lake: Myles Martinez caught five trout, including his first fish, using Corn PowerBait on a fishing trip with his grandfather on April 27.

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: Orlando Reyna caught a personal-best largemouth bass using a crankbait on May 5.

Eunice Lake: John McRae (not pictured) caught four largemouth bass on a hard jerkbait on May 3. “I caught several on a blue jerkbait, one one on a chartreuse Ned-rigged grub and one on a green pumpkin wacky-rigged stickbait,” he said. “My daughter caught a small bass on a green pumpkin Ned-rigged grub. Great trip.” Chuck Chanley (not pictured) caught three largemouth bass using a rubber minnow on April 28. Robert Perez (pictured) caught three largemouth bass using a micro chatterbait with a small minnow trailer on April 29.

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Alto Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using olive-and-white Marabou Streamer flies.

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 26.6 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 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.

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

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was slow to fair when using crankbaits.

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 good when using hard jerkbaits, rubber minnows and micro chatterbaits with small minnow trailers.

Green Meadow Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Grindstone Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week. Grindstone Lake is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildlife impact closures, please see the Grindstone Lake Webpagebefore 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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 0.25 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 4.22 cfs.

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

Santa Rosa Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

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

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

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

Department, partners help Rio Grande cutthroat trout go home to the Gorge

Once a year, starting in 2008, Rio Grande cutthroat trout fingerlings (young fish about the length of a finger) embark on an expedition, trekking all the way down to the Rio Grande Gorge. I know what you’re thinking – no, they didn’t grow a pair of legs. Instead, they received a little help from their friends: New Mexicans who passionately believe in conservation. These participants carry a bag, or maybe two, filled with the state fish and travel down scenic-yet-steep sections of the Gorge to be released back into the river. This stocking of native New Mexico trout by the Department of Game and Fish is a unique endeavor, relying on multiple agencies and the public’s assistance to carry 5,000 Rio Grande cutthroat trout to their natural habitat. This special event would not be possible without the support from the public who want to see native populations thrive.

Driven by a passion for conservation and promoting native fish, partners like the Bureau of Land Management, the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, Trout Unlimited, the U.S. Forest Service and Friends of the Rio Grande del Norte are just some of the agencies that help support and partner with New Mexico Game and Fish to make this event a success. But this remarkable act of conservation would not be possible without participants from the public who help transport native fish to hard-to-reach locations.

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish coldwater biologist John Smith describes the importance of this project for the agency, anglers and New Mexicans, as conserving “a native state fish back on the landscape in a river that historically would have been the only trout species, empowering anglers and citizens to take an active part in native fish conservation.”

The Rio Grande cutthroat trout’s journey begins at the Department’s Seven Springs fish hatchery near Jemez Springs, where they are raised until about a year old. Once they mature to the appropriate age, they are taken to the Rio Grande Gorge where they are put into bags filled with oxygen and quickly placed back into the river.

The Rio Grande cutthroat trout’s journey begins at the Department’s Seven Springs fish hatchery near Jemez Springs, where they are raised until about a year old. Once they mature to the appropriate age, they are taken to the Rio Grande Gorge where they are put into bags filled with oxygen and quickly placed back into the river.

Thank you to all the participants, agencies, partners, hatchery workers and conservation officers who helped bring the Rio Grande cutthroat trout back to the Rio Grande. If you are interested in helping at next year’s stocking, please contact Smith at john.smith@dgf.nm.gov.