NORTHEAST

NORTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Ute Lake: Ethan Santistevan caught three white bass and a walleye using various lures off a boat on May 6. 

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Charette Lakes: The most recent report was received April 23. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using Garlic PowerBait and slow to fair when using dough bait.

Clayton Lake: The most recent report was received April 30. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait.

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was 13.8 cubic feet per second (cfs). The most recent report was received May 7. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using size-16 Guides Choice hare’s ear nymphs.

Cowles Ponds: The most recent report was received April 30. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using garlic-scented nightcrawlers.

Eagle Nest Lake: For updated lake conditions, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

Lake Alice: For more information, visit Sugarite Canyon State Park’s webpage or call 575-445-5607.

Lake Maloya: The most recent report was received May 7. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using worms. For more information, visit Sugarite Canyon State Park’s webpage or call 575-445-5607.

Maxwell Lake 13: The most recent report was received April 23. At that time, fishing for trout was slow when using dough bait.

Monastery Lake: The most recent report we received April 30. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using worms and PowerBait. Monastery 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 on Wednesday morning was 42.3 cfs. Trout fishing was great with the overcast, using an olive streamer and on a dry fly.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 29.8 cfs.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morningwas 220 cfs. Fishing was good for pike and carp using corn near the Taos Junction Bridge.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 13.6 cfs.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 8.48 cfs.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was 10.6 cfs.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Fishing for trout was very good when using floating PowerBait and Pink Garlic PowerBait.

Ute Lake: Fishing for white bass was fair to good when using various lures.

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

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Fenton Lake: Kashif Rehman caught a beautiful 16-inch rainbow trout on May 9! Fishing was really good with PowerBait.

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 595 cfs.

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for channel catfish, chubs, and trout was slow while using hot dogs. Visit Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpage or call 505-876-2391 for more information.

Canjilon Lakes: The most recent report was received May 7. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using worms and PowerBait.

Cochiti Lake: Fishing for northern pike was good when using a minnow lure.

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: Fishing for trout was good using PowerBait and a spoon. For more information, visit Fenton Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-829-3630.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 12.6 cfs. The most recent report was received May 7. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using beadhead hare’s ear nymphs just below the town of Jemez Springs.

Navajo Lake: The most recent report was received April 30. At that time, fishing for northern pike was fair to good when using crankbaits. Fishing for northern pike and smallmouth bass was very good when using swim jigs.

Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 153 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 216 cfs. The most recent report was received April 30. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using rainbow PowerBait below Abiquiu Lake. 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 33.0 cfs.

San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Wednesday morning was 465 cfs. The most recent report was received April 23. At that time, fly fishing was good in the quality waters.

Tingley Beach: Largemouth bass fishing was good when using green and white Senko worms. Fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using shrimp.

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

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using salmon eggs and Garlic PowerBait last week at Bill Evans Lake.

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

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

Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using salmon eggs and Garlic PowerBait.

Caballo Lake: The most recent report was received May 7. At that time, fishing for catfish was good when using cut bait.

Elephant Butte Lake: The most recent report was received April 23. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was good when using grubs. The South Monticello boat ramp is currently closed due to low water levels. The closure will be lifted when water levels rise and conditions allow.

Escondida Lake: The most recent report was received May 7. At that time, fishing for catfish was good when using swim bait.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 33.4 cfs.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 56.7 cfs.

Lake Roberts: The most recent report was received May 7. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow when using PowerBait.

Quemado Lake: The most recent report was received April 23. At that time, fishing for tiger muskie was good when using Panther Martins.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 525 cfs.

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

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Brantley Lake: Amillia Valdez, age 11, caught two largemouth bass using a white fluke bait on May 7.

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Alto Lake: The most recent report was received May 7. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using PowerBait and wooly buggers.

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

Black River: Streamflow at Malaga Wednesday morning was 10.8 cfs.

Bonito Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using garlic-scented salmon eggs. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.

Brantley Lake: The most recent report was received May 7. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was very good when using pink rattler lures and white flukes. Fishing for white bass was good when using various lures. Fishing for walleye was good when using white lures.

Greene Acres Lake: The most recent report was received April 23. At that time, fishing for smallmouth bass was fair to good when using homemade dough bait.

Grindstone Reservoir: The most recent report was received April 23. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using Pink PowerBait. Grindstone Reservoir is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildfire impact closures, please see theGrindstone Reservoir Webpage before planning a visit.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 79.7 cfs.

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 5.38 cfs. Fishing conditions will be adversely affected for an extended period of time due to recent flooding in the area.

Santa Rosa Lake: The most recent report was received May 7. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was slow to fair when using a Texas rig.

Sumner Lake: Fishing for crappie was good when using crankbaits.

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

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

Special Trout Waters Help Conserve
New Mexico’s Treasures

By Dela Joyner

North Area Public Information Specialist

The only thing more iconic to New Mexico than red and green chile might just be New Mexico trout.

Across the state, the New Mexico Department of Wildlife manages Special Trout Waters with unique regulations designed to protect native trout and help grow trophy-sized fish for anglers to enjoy for generations to come.

These waters are designated as Red Chile, Green Chile or Christmas Chile waters, each with its own combination of catch-and-release rules, tackle restrictions and bag limits. One of the most common regulations anglers encounter in these waters is the requirement to use a single barbless hook.

The good news is you do not always need to buy specialty tackle before heading out. With a pair of pliers and a standard treble hook lure, you can quickly make your tackle compliant in the field. Simply cut off the two extra hook points to create a single hook, then flatten the barb using your pliers. In just a few seconds, you have a single barbless hook ready for Special Trout Waters.

This simple trick can help anglers stay legal while helping protect New Mexico’s trout fisheries and reducing stress on fish that are released. So if you unexpectedly find yourself at a Special Trout Water, chances are you already have everything you need in your tackle box.

For a full list of Special Trout Waters, regulations, and additional catch-and-release tips, check the New Mexico Fishing Rules and Information booklet or visit the New Mexico Department of Wildlife website.

Check the Fishing Conditions

and Trip Planner!

The Department’s Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner was created using data from past Weekly Fishing Reports to develop graphs depicting fishing conditions for several species and waterbodies throughout the year. Each graph represents the average fishing conditions for each week of the year over the four years.

The Department has also developed an interactive Fishing Waters Map with a wealth of information on fishing locations in New Mexico. It displays hundreds of fishing access points with information on available fish species, facilities, accessibility, boat ramps and general regulations.

Check out the webpage to plan your trip now!