NORTHEAST

NORTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Harris Pond: Molly Bullard, age 11, caught this monster catfish, along with four others, using roast beef on Oct. 4.

Hopewell Lake: Natalia, age 12, was fishing with her 14-year-old twin cousins on their first fishing trip Oct. 4. She caught her limit of trout within half an hour, with her largest fish measuring 18 inches. One of her cousins, Elier (pictured), had the largest catch of the day, reeling in a 19-incher using Yellow PowerBait and worms.

Monastery Lake: Patrick Goldbogen, age 9, of Santa Fe, reeled in a 17-inch, 1.94-pound rainbow trout on Sept. 21. He has only been fishing for a month, but has already learned how to clean fish and has become “hooked for life.”

Red River: Sharon Long caught six rainbow trout using salmon eggs and a variety of Panther Martins on Oct. 6.

Rio Grande: David Keith caught these two rainbow trout using a hopper dropper rig on Oct. 2.

Rio Grande: Seth Hardy caught and released several trout, including this 18-inch rainbow, using a white streamer fly on Oct. 2.

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Charette Lakes: The most recent report was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using silver-and-yellow Panther Martin spinners.

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was 12.5 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Cowles Ponds: The most recent report was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using worms.

Eagle Nest Lake: The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for rainbow trout was good when using Garlic PowerBait and worms. For updated lake conditions and potential hazards, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

Harris Pond: Fishing for catfish was good when using roast beef.

Hopewell Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using Yellow PowerBait, PowerBait nuggets and worms.

Lake Maloya: The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using Pink Lemonade PowerBait.

Monastery Lake: The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using nightcrawlers. The lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property.

Morphy Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using Salmon Peach PowerBait.

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 52.2 cfs. The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using worms.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 32.8 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was fair to very good when using salmon eggs and various Panther Martin spinners below the Red River Hatchery.

Red River City Ponds: The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using bead head nymphs and homemade dough bait.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 182 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using white streamer flies near Questa and very good when using hopper dropper rigs at the Taos Junction Bridge.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 11.8 cfs. The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair when using black and gold Panther Martin spinners.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 21.4 cfs.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was 12.1 cfs.

Ute Lake: Fishing for white bass was slow to fair when using 3-inch Gulp Minnows on 3/8-ounce jig heads.

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

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Fenton Lake: Khalil L. Rodriguez caught a rainbow trout using a Silver Savage Gear spinner on Oct. 7. “Fighting a ’bow this big on ultra-light gear was super fun,” he said.

Navajo Lake: Lesa Crispin snagged two kokanee on Oct. 2.

Navajo Lake: Michael Romero caught his first-ever smallmouth bass using a Whopper Plopper on Oct. 5.

San Juan River: Anthony caught and released a brown trout using a lure in the bait section on Sept. 28.

San Juan River: Patrick Barnes caught and released 26 brown trout using artificial flies in the quality waters on Sept. 19.

NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Abiquiu Lake: The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for brown trout was fair to good when using flies. 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 245 cfs.

Bluewater Lake: The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for tiger muskie was slow when using chartreuse spinnerbaits. Visit Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpage or call 505-876-2391 for more information.

Canjilon Lakes: The most recent report was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using a variety of flies and lures.

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 fair to good when using Silver Savage Gear spinners, worms and PowerBait. Visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-829-3630 for updates.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 13.1 cfs. The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using midge-pattern dry flies on the San Antonio.

Lagunitas Lakes: The most recent report was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using black Woolly Buggers and Rooster Tails.

Navajo Lake: Snagging for kokanee was slow to fair.

Rio Cebolla: The most recent report was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using Adams dry flies below Fenton Lake.

Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 94.4 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 27.7 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 50.9 cfs.

San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Wednesday morning was 418 cfs. Fishing for brown trout was slow in the bait section when using lures and very good in the quality waters when using artificial flies. Fishing for rainbow trout was fair to good when using small emerger flies in the quality waters.

Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: The most recent report was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using black Woolly Buggers. 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: The most recent report was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for bluegill was slow to fair when using Siberian Titan Salmon Eggs.

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

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Bill Evans Lake, located between Cliff and Silver City, is known as a trophy bass water and winter trout water. Situated on top of a mesa, this small property provides fishing access and habitat for wildlife. The reservoir is located 300 feet above the Gila River. 

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

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

Bill Evans Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for catfish was very good when using jerky.

Caballo Lake: The lake is now open to motorized boat use and the boat ramp has reopened, as water levels have returned to normal after work to remove excessive debris from the dam’s intake structure. Visit Caballo Lake State Park’s website for more information.

Elephant Butte Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was good when using live minnows. Fishing for catfish was good when using worms and minnows. Fishing for white bass, walleye, drum and crappie was fair to good when using minnows from the bank.

Escondida Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for catfish was very good when using chicken livers.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 28.2 cfs.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 29.9 cfs.

Quemado Lake: The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using Pautzke Fire Balls.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0 cfs. The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for catfish was fair to good when using worms in the San Marcial area.

Young Pond: Fishing for bluegill was very good when using hot dogs and shrimp.

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

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Alto Lake: Andrew Sauceda and his wife caught their limit of trout using Green PowerBait on Oct. 4.

Grindstone Reservoir: Darrell Garza drove home early caught five trout within two hours using PowerBait on Sept. 26.

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

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

Bataan Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using shrimp.

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

Black River: Streamflow at Malaga Wednesday morning was 17.1 cfs.

Bonito Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair when using PowerBait. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.

Chaparral Park Lake: The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for catfish was fair to good when using chicken livers.

Eunice Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good when using Megabass and Yozuri jerkbaits.

Grindstone Reservoir: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using PowerBait. Grindstone Reservoir is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildlife impact closures, please see the Grindstone Reservoir Webpage before planning a visit.

Lake Van: Fishing for catfish was slow when using worms.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 0.81 cfs. The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using hot dogs at Pecos River Park in Carlsbad.

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 37.5 cfs. Fishing conditions will be adversely affected for an extended period of time due to recent flooding in the area.

We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: 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, 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, Sumner Lake and Timberon Ponds.

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

People of the Department – Meet Marc Wethington

Meet Marc Wethington, who recently retired from the Department after a 30-plus-year career focused primarily on improving habitat and fishing opportunities on the San Juan River in northwest New Mexico.

The San Juan River is a world-renowned trout fishery that draws anglers from across the globe annually. The quality waters section, which stretches from Navajo Dam downstream 3.75 miles to the Crusher Hole Day Use Area is considered a Red Chile Water, where it is illegal for anglers to fish with more than two flies or lures on a single line. For more information on our Special Trout Waters, see page 16-19 of the 2025-2026 New Mexico Fishing Rules and Information Booklet.