NORTHEAST

NORTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Eagle Nest Lake: Brian Rael caught several trout ranging in size from 19-23 inches long using jigs and PowerBait on Nov. 29.

Hopewell Lake: Andrew Luna and Adrian Garcia, both of Los Lunas, caught and released more than 40 rainbow trout using Swedish pimples and tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms on Dec. 14.

Pecos River: Daniel Muenzberg caught a few trout using a size-16 dry fly on Dec. 11.

Ute Lake: Del Clothier had a successful day catching catfish and white bass using green blades on Dec. 10. “Fishing started slow, then, boom, we were catching before the lure hit the bottom,” he said.

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was not measured due to ice.

Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using jigs and PowerBait. For updated lake conditions, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

Hopewell Lake: Ice fishing for trout was very good when using Swedish pimples and tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms.

Lake Maloya: The most recent report was received Nov. 27. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using Rainbow PowerBait.

Monastery Lake: The most recent report was received Dec. 4. At that time, fishingfor trout was good when using Kastmasters, worms and PowerBait. The lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property.

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 35.7 cfs. Fishing for trout was slow when using size-16 dry flies.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 31.7 cfs.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 598 cfs.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 6.73 cfs.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 7.35 cfs.

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

Santa Cruz Reservoir: The most recent report was received Nov. 27. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using lures.

Ute Lake: Fishing for walleye, crappie, catfish and white bass was fair to good when using 3- and 4-inch Gulp minnows and jigs with green blades.

We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Cabresto Lake, Clayton Lake, Charette Lakes, Conchas Lake, Cowles Ponds, Coyote Creek, Eagle Rock Lake, Gallinas River, Harris Pond, Lake Alice, Los Pinos River, Maxwell Lake 13, Morphy Lake, Red River City Ponds, Red River Hatchery, Rio Costilla, Shuree Ponds, Springer Lake, Storrie Lake and Stubblefield Lake.

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Albuquerque Area Drains: David Martinez and his grandpa, Dennis, caught their limit of trout using salmon eggs at Clear Ditch on Dec. 3.

Albuquerque Area Drains: Deaven and Mercedes Garcia caught a carp using worms on Dec. 11. “We always have luck with rainbow trout, but this nice sucker fish was a surprise and gave a good fight,” Deaven said.

Bluewater Lake: Elijah Sanchez caught and released eight trout and two tiger muskies using a 6^th Sense spinner on Dec. 13.

San Juan River: Catfish Merenda caught this brown trout using a red annelid in the quality waters on Nov. 29.

Tingley Beach: Cali Deprest caught and released 14 rainbow trout using Garlic PowerBait and Gulp on a Carolina rig and No. 6 hook on Dec. 11.

Tingley Beach: Lily Deprest caught and released 11 rainbow trout using Garlic PowerBait and pale green Gulp on a Carolina rig and No. 6 hook on Dec. 11.

NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT

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

Albuquerque Area Drains: Fishing for carp was very good when using worms. Fishing for trout was good when using salmon eggs.

Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Wednesday morning was 303 cfs.

Belen Riverside Drain: The most recent report was received Nov. 27. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using salmon eggs.

Bluewater Lake: Visit Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpage or call 505-876-2391 for more information. Fishing for tiger muskie and trout was fair to good when using 6^th Sense spinners.

El Vado Lake: The lake is open to boating and angling with a primitive boat ramp available at the Dam Day Use Area, as well as the main (concrete) boat ramp and courtesy dock at El Vado Lake State Park. For more information, visit El Vado Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-588-7247.

Fenton Lake: The lake has a layer of ice covering 90% of its surface, with a small area of open water in the center that cannot be reached from shore.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 15.9 cfs.

Navajo Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 27. At that time, snagging for kokanee was slow.

Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 250 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 400 cfs. 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 959 cfs.

San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Wednesday morning was 280 cfs. Fishing for brown trout was very good when using red annelids in the quality waters.

Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: The most recent report was received Dec. 11. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using worms. Anglers reported that the pond is approximately half-frozen, though the fish continue to bite. 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.

Tingley Beach: Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using Garlic PowerBait and pale green Gulp on Carolina rigs with No. 6 hooks.

We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Albuquerque Area Drains, Brazos River, Canjilon Lakes, Cochiti Lake,Grants Riverwalk Pond, Heron Lake, Jackson Lake, Laguna del Campo, Lagunitas Lakes, Lake Farmington, Liam Knight Pond, McGaffey Lake, Navajo Lake, Rio Cebolla, Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Pond #1), San Gregorio Lake, Tiger Park Reservoir and Trout Lakes.

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Elephant Butte Lake: Aaron Berlint caught the biggest catfish he has ever caught using chicken on Dec. 6.

Glenwood Pond: Sebastien, age 4, caught this trout — his first fish ever — using PowerBait with the help of his dad, Abel Flores, on Dec. 14.

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing conditions have been adversely affected in the aftermath of the Trout Fire.

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for catfish was good when using chicken.

Escondida Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 27. At that time, fishing for catfish was good when using PowerBait.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 61.2 cfs.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 49.9 cfs.

Glenwood Pond: Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait.

Quemado Lake: The lake is currently closed due to an algal bloom. It will reopen when the New Mexico Environment Department advises that the lake is safe for public use. For more information, visit the Gila National Forest website.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0.77 cfs.

We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Bill Evans Lake, Caballo Lake, Elephant Butte Lake, Glenwood Pond, Lake Roberts, Percha Dam, Rancho Grande Ponds, Snow Lake, Trees Lake and Young Pond.

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Alto Lake: Brian Powers caught six trout, keeping five measuring between 11½-12½ inches, on Dec. 13. He caught one on a multicolored Kastmaster, four on worms and one on orange-and-yellow-swirl Garlic PowerBait.

Bonito Lake: Jon Gruger and Robbie Fresquez caught their limit of trout two days in a row using a variety of PowerBait on Dec. 8-9.

Oasis Park Lake: Mario and Monica Velasco of Portales caught their limit of trout using PowerBait on Dec. 9. Their chocolate lab, Zeke, loves going fishing as well.

Perch Lake: Lincoln and Woodrow Arias (pictured), on their first fishing trip with their dad and Pampo, caught multiple trout using Pautzke Fire Balls on Dec. 6. “Both boys walked away with their first three fish and left the seasoned veterans in the dust,” Christopher Arias said.

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Alto Lake: The most recent report was received Dec. 4. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using PowerBait, multicolored Kastmasters and worms. 

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

Black River: Streamflow at Malaga Wednesday morning was 1.72 cfs. The most recent report was received Dec. 4. At that time, fishing for flathead catfish was slow to fair when using shad chunks.

Bonito Lake: Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using Garlic Cheese PowerBait and nightcrawlers. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.

Grindstone Reservoir: Grindstone Reservoir is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildlife impact closures, please see the Grindstone Reservoir Webpage before planning a visit.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 32.2 cfs.

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 4.22 cfs. Fishing conditions will be adversely affected for an extended period of time due to recent flooding in the area.

Sumner Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 20. At that time, fishing for smallmouth bass was good when using Panther Martin Spinners.

We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Bataan Lake, Blue Hole Park Pond, Bosque Redondo Lake, Bottomless Lakes, Brantley Lake, Carlsbad Municipal Lake, Chaparral Park Lake, Corona Pond, Dennis Chavez Pond, Estancia Park Lake, Eunice Lake, Green Meadow Lake, Greene Acres Lake, Harry McAdams Park Pond, Jal Lake, Lake Van, Ned Houk Ponds, Oasis Park Lake, Perch Lake, Rio Bonito, Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond, Santa Rosa Lake, Spring River Pond and Timberon Ponds.

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

Department’s Fish Art Contest open to kids through Jan. 31

Submission by Steven Ju (Grade 7-9 Division, Georgia)

New Mexico students in grades K-12 are invited to take part in the Art of Conservation New Mexico Fish Art Contest, sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish in conjunction with Wildlife Forever.

Fish are an integral part of New Mexico’s diverse ecosystems, providing vital support to local biodiversity and contributing to the health of rivers, lakes and streams. From the prized native trout of the Rio Grande to the colorful bass that inhabit the state’s reservoir, fish play an essential role in maintaining the balance of aquatic environments.

For many New Mexicans, fishing is not only a cherished pastime, but also a way to connect with nature, support local economies and preserve cultural traditions. Through the Art of Conservation New Mexico Fish Art Contest, participants can use their creative talents to highlight the beauty and importance of these aquatic species, fostering a deeper appreciation for New Mexico’s natural resources. Art serves as a powerful means of expressing the significance of fish conservation, inspiring others to protect these creatures and the habitats they call home.

Submission by Cindy Ye (Grade 10-12 Division, Virginia)

Young artists can vie for first, second and third prizes in four grade categories: K-3; 4-6; 7-9; and 10-12. Additional awards include the Invader Crusader Award, for submissions featuring both invasive and native aquatic species from the student’s local area; the Mighty Minnow Award, which celebrates kindergarten participants; the New Mexico Native Trout Award, for submissions featuring New Mexico’s unique native trout species, the Gila trout or the Rio Grande cutthroat trout; the New Mexico Species of Greatest Conservation Need Award, for artwork that features fish species identified by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish as being most at risk and in need of proactive conservation; and the Outdoor Show Fan Favorite Awards, which will go to one winner in each grade category based on the votes of attendees at the New Mexico Outdoor Adventures Show from Feb. 13-15 in Albuquerque.

Submission by Mia Macias (Grade 10-12 Division, Texas)

The entry deadline is Jan. 31, 2026, and judging will take place in March. Submissions must be scanned in and then submitted using the online entry form. Additional information regarding the contest, including a list of species, is available on the Department’s website.

Educators and members of the public should contact Assistant Chief of Education Curt Coffman at DGF-AquaticEd@dgf.nm.gov with any questions.