Got a fish story you want to share?
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| Tell us all about it! Just visit the Department of Wildlife’s Weekly Fishing and Stocking Report website and use the iFish form at the bottom of the page. Submissions received by noon Mondaywill be considered for inclusion in that week’s fishing report. Fish weights and measurements are provided by the angler and displayed here as received. Photos containing sensitive material may be altered or excluded at the Department’s discretion.
This fishing report has been generated from the best information available at the time of publication. |
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Get ready for fall fishing! Don’t forget
your 2026-2027 fishing license!
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NORTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK
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| Cimarron River: Donna Gomez caught three trout at the Gravel Pits using PowerBait on Sept. 13. |
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| Conchas Lake: Bill Pedigo caught and released four largemouth bass, as well as a few smallmouth bass, using topwater poppers on Sept. 15. |
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| Rio Grande: Seth Hardy caught and released this cutbow using an olive-colored streamer fly near Questa on Sept. 18. |
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| Ute Lake: Donald Vang had a successful day of fishing for largemouth bass using paddle-tail swimbaits on Sept. 19. He also caught a number of white bass, smallmouth bass and catfish using jig heads and 4-inch Gulp minnows. |
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| Charette Lake: The lake is currently under a Harmful Algae Bloom Danger Advisory.
Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron on Tuesday morning was 17.2 cubic feet per second (cfs). Fishing for trout was fair to good when using PowerBait at the Gravel Pits.
Clayton Lake: The lake is currently under a Harmful Algae Bloom Warning Advisory.
Conchas Lake: Fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass was very good when using topwater poppers.
Coyote Creek: The most recent report was received Sept. 10. At that time, fishing for trout was slow when using salmon eggs.
Eagle Nest Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 10. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair when using PowerBait. For updated lake conditions, visit Eagle Nest Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-377-1594. The lake is under a Harmful Algae Bloom Warning Advisory.
Lake Maloya: The most recent report was received Sept. 10. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait. For more information, visit Sugarite Canyon State Park’s webpage or call 575-445-5607.
Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos on Tuesday morning was 78.8 cfs. Fishing for trout was slow when using chubby Chernobyl fly variants and a variety of nymphs.
Red River: The most recent report was received Sept. 17. At that time, fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using PowerBait with aniseed. Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Tuesday morningwas 27.3 cfs.
Rio Grande: Fishing for rainbow trout was good when using olive streamer flies near Questa. Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Tuesday morning was 144 cfs. The Rio Grande is currently under a Harmful Algae Bloom Danger Advisory from the John Dunn Bridge through the Orilla Verde Recreation Area.
Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez on Tuesday morning was 7.92 cfs.
Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero on Tuesday morning was 32.8 cfs.
Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco on Tuesday morning was 5.96 cfs.
Shuree Ponds: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using elk hair caddis flies, blowtorch nymph files and Higa’s S.O.S. nymph flies.
Ute Lake: Fishing for white bass, smallmouth bass and catfish was good when using jig heads and 4-inch Gulp minnows. Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using paddle tail swimbaits.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Cabresto Lake, Clayton Lake, Cowles Ponds, Eagle Rock Lake, Fawn Lakes, Gallinas River, Harris Pond, Hopewell Lake, Lake Alice, Los Pinos River, Maxwell Lake 13, Morphy Lake, Red River City Ponds, Rio Costilla, Rito la Presa, Santa Cruz Reservoir,Springer Lake, Storrie Lake and Stubblefield Lake. |
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NORTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK
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| Bluewater Lake: Jeremy Baca caught two tiger muskie using swimbaits on Sept. 19. |
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| Fenton Lake: Seven-year-old Uriah Benjamin was the only one out of his family to catch fish during their camping trip Sept. 12-13. He caught two trout on the first day and three more on the second day using Cheese Garlic PowerBait. |
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| Liam Knight Pond: Sam Teston caught his first-ever largemouth bass on his third cast with a rooster tail spinner on Sept. 20. |
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| Navajo Lake: Evan Snable caught his personal-best smallmouth bass fishing from the shore with a Ned rig on Sept. 19. |
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| San Juan River: Faith Mutchnik caught a rainbow trout using a size-22 zebra midge on Sept. 16. It was her first time fly fishing and her first time fishing the San Juan. |
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| Tingley Beach: Grayson Kinney caught a catfish using chicken liver on Sept. 20. “It was a very slow day overall,” he said. “Around noon, this monster grabbed my bait and about yanked my rod into the water. Thankfully, my buddy was there to grab it, set the hook and keep it on until I was able to get there and reel her in.” |
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| Abiquiu Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 17. At that time, fishing for walleye was good when using a Panther Martin with worms. Fishing for smallmouth bass was very good when using worms on a jig head. Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371 for updated lake conditions and closure information.
Animas River: The most recent report was received Sept. 10. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using gray/green rooster tail spinners with PowerBait. Streamflow below Aztec on Tuesday morningwas 542 cfs.
Bluewater Lake: Fishing for tiger muskie was slow when using swimbaits. The lake is currently under a Harmful Algae Bloom Warning Advisory.
El Vado Lake: Boating access is limited, with an imminent boat ramp closure expected due to low water conditions. 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 Cheese Garlic PowerBait and casting small spoons from the dam, and very good when using rainbow nymph and grey foam wing emerger flies. For more information, visit Fenton Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-829-3630.
Heron Lake: Boat ramps are closed due to extremely low water. For more information,visit Heron Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-588-7470.
Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez on Tuesday morning was 15.5 cfs. The most recent report was received Sept. 10. At that time, fishing for trout on the Jemez River was good when using PowerBait.
Liam Knight Pond: Fishing for largemouth bass was slow to fair when using rooster tail spinners.
Navajo Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass was slow to fair when using Ned rigs.
Rio Cebolla: The most recent report was received Sept 3. At that time, fishing for rainbow trout on the Rio Cebolla was good when using grasshopper flies.
Rio Chama: The most recent report was received Sept. 3. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using hand-tied flies below El Vado Lake. Streamflow below El Vado Lake on Tuesday morning was 99.8 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake on Tuesday morning was 343 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 on Tuesday morning was 102 cfs.
San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta on Tuesday morning was 372 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using size-22 zebra midges in the quality waters.
Tingley Beach: Fishing for catfish was slow when using chicken liver.
Trout Lakes: The most recent report was received Sept. 3. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using Salmon Peach PowerBait and Panther Martins.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Albuquerque Area Drains, Brazos River, Bluewater Lake, Canjilon Lakes, Cochiti Lake, Lake Farmington, McGaffey Lake, Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Park #1), San Gregorio Lake, Seven Springs Kids Pond and Tiger Park Reservoir. |
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SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK
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| Escondida Lake: Tommy M Erven caught a 4-inch bass using worms on Aug. 30. |
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| Escondida Lake: Daniel caught a 6-inch bass using worms on Aug. 30 on his first fishing trip with his Grandpa Tommy. |
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| Bill Evans Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 3. At that time, fishing for bluegill and carp was good when using inline method feeders. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using chicken liver, bluegill and inline method feeders.
Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing conditions have been adversely affected in the aftermath of the Trout Fire.
Caballo Lake: With recent water releases from Elephant Butte and Caballo lakes, water levels are changing across the lake; boaters should exercise caution in low-water areas. For more information, visit the Caballo Lake State Park webpage or call 575-743-3942.
Elephant Butte Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 3. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good when using spoons from the shore. Due to historically low water levels, vessel launching at the Marina del Sur boat ramp is hazardous because of sediment and debris on the ramp. The South Monticello and Rock Canyon boat ramps remain closed due to low water levels. For more information, visit the Elephant Butte State Park webpage or call 575-744-5923.
Escondida Lake: Fishing for bass was slow to fair when using worms.
Gila River: Streamflow near Gila on Tuesday morning was 176 cfs.
Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs on Tuesday morning was 73.1 cfs.
Quemado Lake: The lake is currently under a Harmful Algae Bloom Danger Advisory.
Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Lake was 0 cfs.
Young Pond: The most recent report was received Sept. 3. At that time, fishing for bass was fair to good when using micro 1/16-ounce jigs with micro soft plastics. Fishing for bluegill and sunfish was fair to good when using live red worms or wax worms on a slip float setup No. 8 hook. Fishing for catfish was good when using worms.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Glenwood Pond, Lake Roberts, Percha Dam, Quemado Lake, Rancho Grande Ponds, Trees Lake, Snow Lake and Whitewater Creek. |
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SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK
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| Bataan Lake: Orlando Reyna caught his personal-best catfish fishing on the bottom with shrimp on a Carolina rig on Sept. 16. |
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| Ned Houk Ponds: KP caught this catfish using chicken liver on Sept. 16. “Fishing was good, but this one was a keeper,” he said. |
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| Alto Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using a combo of worms, Kastmasters and rainbow spinners. Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using rainbow spinners.
Bataan Lake: Fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using shrimp on a Carolina rig.
Berrendo Creek: Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on this property.
Black River: Streamflow at Malaga on Tuesday morning was 3.20 cfs.
Bonito Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 3. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to very good when using PowerBait, spoons, spinners and salmon eggs, and fair to good when using rainbow Panther Martins and worms. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake. Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on this property.
Bosque Redondo Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 10. At that time, fishing for catfish was very good when using hot dogs.
Grindstone Reservoir: The most recent report was received Sept. 10. At that time, fishing for bass was good when using grasshoppers. Grindstone Reservoir is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildfire impact closures, please see the Grindstone Reservoir webpage before planning a visit.
Ned Houk Ponds: Fishing for catfish was good when using chicken liver.
Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake on Tuesday morning was 81.2 cfs.
Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Tuesday morning was 4.98 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 Sept. 10. At that time, fishing for catfish was fair to good when using cut bait. The boat ramp is closed. For more information, visit the Santa Rosa Lake State Park webpage or call 575-472-3110.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Alto Lake, Blue Hole Park Pond, Bottomless Lakes, Brantley Lake, Carlsbad Municipal Lake, Chaparral Park Lake, Corona Pond, Dennis Chavez Pond, Estancia Park Lake, Eunice Lake, Greene Acres Lake, Green Meadow Lake, Harry McAdams Park Pond, Jal Lake, Lake Van, Oasis Park Lake, Perch Lake, Rio Bonito, Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond, Spring River Pond, Sumner Lake and Timberon Ponds. |
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Free Fishing Weekend set for Sept. 26-27
across New Mexico
No licenses required, but bag and possession limits still apply
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| Anglers can fish for free in New Mexico on Sept. 26 and 27 as part of the state’s Free Fishing Weekend.
Anyone can fish without a license in public fishing waters throughout the state on Saturday and Sunday, which is also National Hunting and Fishing Day nationwide. All anglers must observe bag limits and all other rules and regulations. For more information, please visit the New Mexico Department of Wildlife’s website.
“Fishing helps people connect with New Mexico’s waters and wildlife while building an appreciation for conserving these resources,” said Mike Sloane, director of the New Mexico Department of Wildlife. “Free Fishing Weekend is the perfect time to get started.”
The Department has online resources to help you plan the perfect outing. With weekly fishing reports, an interactive fishing map and fishing conditions by water body and species at your fingertips, a great fishing trip for you and your family awaits!
The Department is excited to take part in several events as part of National Hunting and Fishing Day. |
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| The Department will host the Second Annual Tiger Pond Fishing Derby from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sept. 26 in Aztec. This free community event features prizes for derby participants age 12 and under, and will also include activities such as a pellet-shooting trailer, a National Archery in the Schools Program trailer and off-highway vehicle education. More information about this and other events is available on the Department’s website. |
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| Helpful links for planning your trip include:
Anglers and outdoor recreationists are reminded to “know before you go.” Contact land management agencies regarding additional regulations or restrictions on specific waterbodies or properties before heading afield. |
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Check the Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner!
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| 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. |
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SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
