Fishing Report

New Mexico Fishing and Stocking Report for July 30

NEW MEXICO — Summer fishing is in full swing across New Mexico, with anglers reporting successful outings for trout, bass, catfish, northern pike and other species throughout the state.

The New Mexico Department of Wildlife reminds anglers that several lakes are currently under harmful algal bloom watches or warnings. Before heading to the water, anglers should review the New Mexico Environment Department’s Harmful Algal Bloom Advisory Map for current conditions.

This report was compiled using the best information available at the time of publication. Fishing conditions can change quickly because of weather, streamflow, water levels, wildfires, flooding and other factors.

Share Your Fishing Story

Anglers who would like to share their catches can submit photos and information through the iFish form located on the Weekly Fishing and Stocking Report webpage.

Submissions received by noon Monday may be considered for inclusion in that week’s fishing report. Fish weights and measurements are provided by anglers and published as received. Photos containing sensitive material may be altered or excluded at the department’s discretion.

Fishing Licenses and Regulations

Anglers should make sure they have a current 2026-2027 New Mexico fishing license before heading out.

Licenses may be purchased online, at Department of Wildlife offices, through authorized license vendors or by calling the department’s Information Center at 888-248-6866.

The department’s current fishing rules and information booklet is available in English and Spanish through the Department of Wildlife publications page.

Northeast New Mexico

Northeast Catch of the Week

Rio Grande: Ten-year-old Patrick Goldbogen caught a smallmouth bass on his first cast near the Taos Junction Bridge on July 23. He was using a spinner lure.

Northeast Fishing Conditions

Cabresto Lake: Trout fishing was slow to fair using a size-16 soft-hackle fly.

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron was 24.3 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning. Trout fishing was fair to good using a size-14 beaded egg-pattern fly.

Eagle Nest Lake: The most recent fishing report was received July 16. At that time, trout fishing was very good using Panther Martin lures. For current lake conditions, visit the Eagle Nest Lake State Park webpage or call 575-377-1594.

Hopewell Lake: Trout fishing was slow to fair using PowerBait.

Lake Maloya: Trout fishing was good using PowerBait and spoons. Anglers reported heavy aquatic vegetation along much of the shoreline, with the north end producing the best fishing. Visit the Sugarite Canyon State Park webpage or call 575-445-5607 for more information.

Monastery Lake: Trout fishing was fair to good using elk-hair flies, Power Eggs and Pistol Pete flies. Monastery Lake is part of the department’s Open Gate Program. Learn more through the Open Gate Program webpage.

Morphy Lake: The most recent report was received July 16. At that time, trout fishing was fair to good using worms, gold Thomas spoons and Pistol Pete flies.

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos was 32.6 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning.

Red River: Trout fishing was very good using red worms. Streamflow below the Red River Fish Hatchery was 25.2 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning.

Red River City Ponds: Trout fishing was good using worms.

Rio Grande: Smallmouth bass fishing was slow using spinner lures near the Taos Junction Bridge. Streamflow below the bridge was 144 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez was 8.57 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero was 7.91 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco was 1.89 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: The most recent report was received July 16. At that time, trout fishing was good while trolling near the bank using worms.

Shuree Ponds: Trout fishing was fair using elk-hair caddis flies.

Ute Lake: White bass fishing was slow to fair using chrome-and-chartreuse shallow-diving lures.

No recent reports were received for Charette Lake, Clayton Lake, Conchas Lake, Cowles Ponds, Coyote Creek, Eagle Rock Lake, Fawn Lakes, Gallinas River, Harris Pond, Lake Alice, Los Pinos River, Maxwell Lake 13, Rio Costilla, Rito la Presa, Springer Lake, Storrie Lake or Stubblefield Lake.

Northwest New Mexico

Northwest Catch of the Week

Tingley Beach: Muhan Gao caught a channel catfish in less than 10 minutes using chicken liver on July 25.

Northwest Fishing Conditions

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

Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec was 140 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning. The most recent fishing report was received July 16. At that time, catfish fishing was slow to fair using live worms, hot dogs and Panther Martin lures.

Bluewater Lake: Tiger muskie fishing was fair to good using jointed minnow-style Rapala lures. Visit the Bluewater Lake State Park webpage or call 505-876-2391.

Canjilon Lakes: Trout fishing was slow using spinner lures. Anglers reported a large amount of vegetation growing in the lake.

Cochiti Lake: Northern pike fishing was slow to fair using white diving spinnerbaits but good using pink crankbaits. Carp fishing was very good using sweet corn from the boat dock.

El Vado Lake: The lake is open to boating and fishing. A primitive boat ramp is available at the Dam Day Use Area, and the main concrete boat ramp and courtesy dock are available at El Vado Lake State Park. Visit the El Vado Lake State Park webpage or call 575-588-7247.

Fenton Lake: Trout fishing was slow using Berkley Gulp bait, although anglers reported very good trout fishing using worms. Visit the Fenton Lake State Park webpage or call 575-829-3630.

Navajo Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and northern pike was good using spinnerbaits.

Rio Chama: Trout fishing was good using prince nymph flies. Streamflow below El Vado Lake was 103 cubic feet per second, while streamflow below Abiquiu Lake was 153 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning.

Anglers are reminded that the seven-mile section extending upstream from the U.S. Highway 84 river crossing at Abiquiu to the base of Abiquiu Dam is designated as special trout water. The daily bag limit in that section is two trout.

Rio Grande: Streamflow at Albuquerque was reported at zero cubic feet per second Tuesday morning.

San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta was 827 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning. The most recent fishing report was received July 16. At that time, brown trout fishing in the bait waters was fair to good using worms. Rainbow trout fishing in the quality waters was good using size-22 red annelid flies, hand-tied flies, pinched crawlers and worms.

Seven Springs Kids Pond: Trout fishing was good to very good using Garlic PowerBait and worms.

Tingley Beach: Catfish fishing was good using chicken liver.

No recent reports were received for Albuquerque-area drains, Brazos River, Lake Farmington, Liam Knight Pond, McGaffey Lake, Rio Cebolla, Riverside Park Pond, San Gregorio Lake, Trout Lakes or Tiger Park Reservoir.

Southwest New Mexico

Southwest Catch of the Week

Quemado Lake: James Ellis went fishing with his grandfather, Raymon Sanchez, and caught his first fish July 19 using Pink PowerBait and a silver spoon beneath a bobber.

Southwest Fishing Conditions

Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing conditions have been adversely affected following the Trout Fire.

Bill Evans Lake: The most recent report was received July 16. At that time, largemouth bass fishing was very good.

Caballo Lake: Water levels are changing because of recent water releases from Elephant Butte and Caballo lakes. Boaters should use caution in shallow and low-water areas.

Elephant Butte Lake: The most recent report was received July 16. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass and white bass was fair to good using white shad-pattern lures. The South Monticello boat ramp is closed because of low water levels and will reopen when conditions allow. Visit the Elephant Butte Lake State Park webpage for updates.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila was 47.7 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs was 60.2 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning.

Lake Roberts: Catfish fishing was slow to fair using homemade stink bait.

Quemado Lake: Trout fishing was slow to fair using Pink PowerBait and silver spoons beneath a bobber.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam was reported at zero cubic feet per second Tuesday morning.

Young Pond: The most recent report was received July 16. At that time, catfish fishing was good using hot dogs.

No recent reports were received for Escondida Lake, Glenwood Pond, Percha Dam, Rancho Grande Ponds, Trees Lake, Snow Lake or Whitewater Creek.

Southeast New Mexico

Southeast Catch of the Week

Bataan Lake: Avery Chase caught catfish and largemouth bass using nightcrawlers and diving crankbaits.

Southeast Fishing Conditions

Bataan Lake: Catfish fishing was good using nightcrawlers. Largemouth bass fishing was fair using shallow-diving crankbaits.

Berrendo Creek: Visit the Open Gate Program webpage for access and property information.

Black River: Streamflow at Malaga was 52.6 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning.

Bonito Lake: The most recent report was received July 16. At that time, trout fishing was good using Garlic and Salmon Peach PowerBait. Only fishing activities are currently permitted at the lake.

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: Catfish fishing was fair using chicken liver.

Grindstone Reservoir: The reservoir is currently open for fishing. Because wildfire-related closures may change, anglers should review the Grindstone Reservoir webpage before visiting. The most recent fishing report was received July 16. At that time, trout, bass and bluegill fishing was good using worms, jigs and spinners.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake was 1,640 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning.

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood was 13.1 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning. Fishing conditions are expected to remain adversely affected because of recent flooding.

Santa Rosa Lake: Walleye fishing was very good using worms. Largemouth bass fishing was very good using Pour House custom baits.

No recent reports were received for Alto Lake, Blue Hole Park Pond, Bosque Redondo Lake, Bottomless Lakes, Brantley 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, Sumner Lake or Spring River Pond.

Recipe: Blue Corn Whitefish Nuggets

Recipe by Colleen Payne, Southwest Area public information specialist.

After catching a limit of walleye, catfish or bass, anglers can give a familiar fried-fish recipe a New Mexico twist by using blue cornmeal.

Ingredients

1 to 2 pounds of firm white fish, such as walleye or catfish
2 cups blue cornmeal
1 tablespoon seasoned salt
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk or buttermilk
One-half gallon vegetable oil for frying

Equipment

A deep pot suitable for frying
A frying thermometer

Instructions

Heat the vegetable oil to 375 degrees. Use a frying thermometer to monitor the temperature carefully.
Cut the fish into small, bite-sized pieces.
Place the fish pieces in milk or buttermilk and allow them to soak for 30 to 60 minutes.
Combine the blue cornmeal, flour and seasoned salt in a large bowl or gallon-size resealable bag.
Remove the fish from the milk and thoroughly coat each piece in the cornmeal mixture.
Carefully place the coated fish into the hot oil.
Fry the nuggets for approximately three to four minutes.
Remove them from the oil and serve shortly after cooking.

Cooking Tips

Blue cornmeal makes it harder to see when the coating has turned golden brown, so closely monitor the cooking time and oil temperature.
Regular cornmeal may be substituted when blue cornmeal is unavailable.
Lemon and green chile tartar sauce make excellent accompaniments.
The recipe works best with firm white fish, including walleye and catfish.

Anglers who would like to submit a favorite fish recipe may email darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov.

Plan Your Next Fishing Trip

The Department of Wildlife’s Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner uses information from past weekly fishing reports to illustrate average fishing conditions for different species and bodies of water throughout the year.

The online resource also includes an interactive fishing waters map featuring hundreds of access points, available fish species, facilities, accessibility information, boat ramps and general fishing regulations.

Open the Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner

Anglers can also view the complete report, recent stocking reports and previous fishing reports on the New Mexico Department of Wildlife’s Weekly Fishing and Stocking Report webpage.

Information courtesy of the New Mexico Department of Wildlife.