NORTHEAST

NORTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Eagle Nest Lake is now open for ice fishing. See Tips, Tricks and Stories below for more information about ice fishing. (Photo courtesy New Mexico State Parks)

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

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

Eagle Nest Lake: The lake is open for ice fishing after recent cold temperatures thickened the ice to safe levels. For updated lake conditions, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

Lake Maloya: The boat dock and the ADA dock are closed for winter lake conditions. For more information, visit Sugarite Canyon State Park’s webpage or call 575-445-5607.

Monastery Lake: The lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property.

Morphy Lake: Morphy Lake State Park is closed for the season until Feb. 28.

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 50.9 cubic feet per second (cfs). The most recent report was received on Jan. 22. At that time, trout fishing was good with clown salmon eggs, midges, hoppers and elk-hair caddis flies.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 37.5 cfs.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 411 cfs. The most recent report was received Jan. 15. At that time, fishing for brown trout was very good when using red worms.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez on Wednesday morning was not measured due to ice.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 11.1 cfs.

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

Ute Lake: The most recent report was received Jan. 15. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good when using clown-colored jerkbaits.

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, Hopewell Lake, Lake Alice, Los Pinos River, Maxwell Lake 13, Red River City Ponds, Red River Hatchery, Rio Costilla, Santa Cruz Reservoir, Shuree Ponds, Springer Lake, Storrie Lake and Stubblefield Lake.

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

 Bait-fishing for trout has recently been fair to good on the Rio Chama below Abiquiu Lake.

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 179 cfs.

Bluewater Lake: Visit Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpage or call 505-876-2391 for more information. The most recent report was received on Jan. 15. At that time, trout fishing was fair to good when using Cheese PowerBait.

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 boat ramp/launch area is closed due to ice accumulations on the lake. It will remain closed until conditions are safe for ice fishing or the lake has completely thawed. For more information,visit Fenton Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-829-3630.

Grants Riverwalk Pond: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using PowerBait.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 17.1 cfs. The most recent report was received Jan. 22. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using orange Master Casts.

Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 91.7 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 52.7 cfs. The most recent report was received Jan. 22. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using bait 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 473 cfs.

San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Wednesday morning was 302 cfs. The most recent report was received Jan. 15. At that time, fishing for rainbow trout was slow to fair when using San Juan worms in the quality waters.

Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: 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.

We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Albuquerque Area Drains, Brazos River, Canjilon Lakes, Cochiti Lake, 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, Tingley Beach and Trout Lakes.

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Bill Evans Lake: Eric Ockerhausen caught two trout using flicker shad on Jan. 21. “I was trolling trout lures behind my kayak and there was a lot of surface activity,” he said. “People on the bank had good luck with PowerBait.”

Elephant Butte Lake: Arturo Salas and his son, Evan, caught five white bass using a Rat-L-Trap on Jan. 17. “This cold weather has the fish up and feeding in about 30-40 feet of water,” Arturo said. “Use big swimbaits or a crankbait-type lure, white or natural-looking colors.”

Escondida Lake: Ambrose Romero caught a largemouth bass using a spinner on Jan. 21.

Escondida Lake: Andrew Luna, Ashton Johnson, Bryant Tafoya, Nathan Jones and Adrian Garcia caught five rainbow trout at the same time using worms on Jan. 25. “The fishing was PHENOMENAL!!”, Andrew said.

Rio Grande: Matt Ney and Joe Suter had a successful day of walleye fishing using minnows on Jan. 17.

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

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

Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for trout was good when trolling trout lures from a kayak and when using PowerBait from the bank.

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for white bass was very good when using Rat-L-Traps. The South Monticello boat ramp is currently closed, and access to Rattlesnake Island is currently restricted due to low water levels. The closures will be lifted when water levels rise and conditions allow.

Escondida Lake: Rainbow trout fishing was very good when using worms. Fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good when using spinners.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila on Wednesday morning was 131 cfs. The most recent report was received on Jan. 8. At that time, fishing for Gila trout was slow to fair when using flies in the west fork.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs on Wednesday morning was 64 cfs.

Quemado Lake: The lake has reopened to the public.

Rio Grande: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using worms. Fishing for walleye was good when using minnows. Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0.21 cfs.

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

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Rainbow Glitter PowerBait and Yellow PowerBait worked well for catching trout recently at Bonito Lake.

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Alto Lake: The most recent report was received Jan. 8. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using Rainbow Glitter PowerBait and worms.

Berrendo Creek: The most recent report was received Jan. 8. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair when using worms.Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on this property.

Black River: Streamflow at Malaga, Wednesday morning was 9.23 cfs.

Bonito Lake: The most recent report was received Jan. 22. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using Yellow PowerBait and Rainbow Glitter PowerBait, and slow when using rooster tails, Kastmasters, and Dardevle lures. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.

Grindstone Reservoir: The most recent report was received Jan. 8. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using Rainbow Glitter PowerBait. 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 on Wednesday morning was 14.7 cfs.

Perch Lake: The most recent report was received Jan. 15. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using multiple types of PowerBait and PowerBalls.

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 8.67 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: 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, Rio Bonito, Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond, Santa Rosa Lake, Spring River Pond, Sumner Lake and Timberon Ponds.

NOTE: There will be fewer reports available during the cooler seasons when fishing slows. The Department will make every effort to provide as much information as possible during the winter months.

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

Winter has arrived — and so has ice fishing season

By Darren Vaughan

Eagle Nest Lake State Park announced it has opened for ice fishing, as the ice is now thick enough for anglers to walk on safely. (Photo courtesy Jordan Mitchell, Eagle Nest Lake State Park superintendent)

On Tuesday morning, our friends over at New Mexico State Parks delivered the news many anglers have been waiting for: Eagle Nest Lake State Park is now open to ice fishing!

While the recent cold snap has sent many of us scrambling for extra blankets and firewood (Editor’s Note: guilty as charged), there are others for whom this development is the highlight of their year. The ice at Eagle Nest Lake is now thick enough for people to go ice fishing, so the lake has reopened. However, State Parks officials emphasized that ice fishing still carries risks, and anglers should be cautious.

“We once again welcome outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the winter fishing season,” said Toby Velásquez, director of New Mexico State Parks. “However, we advise them to take precautions to ensure that their outings are safe.”

New Mexico State Parks recommends following these safety precautions:

• Don’t fish alone. Before you leave shore, inform someone of your destination and expected return time.
• Go on the ice on foot — motorized vehicles are not allowed on the ice.
• Always wear a life jacket (personal flotation device).
• Be aware of and prepared for weather conditions. Dress in layers, wearing thermal underwear, fleece or wool, and wind- and waterproof outerwear, especially for feet, hands, and head. Take extra clothes, food, water, and other essentials.
• Be prepared for emergencies. Carry equipment such as ice picks or awls, rope, and cellular phones. Pack a first-aid kit and matches or other tools for starting a fire.
• Keep fishing holes small and few. When drilling fishing holes with an ice auger, keep the diameter under eight inches. Bigger holes are not necessary to land fish and can create a safety hazard for others.
• Stay cautious around known weak ice areas such as feeder streams, springs or cracks.
• Disperse weight and fishing holes to avoid overcrowding in one area.

Anglers are encouraged to call Eagle Nest Lake State Park at 575-377-1594 for the latest ice conditions.

Let us know how your fishing trip goes! Share your tips and tricks with your fellow anglers by filling out the iFish form and let’s help the next generation of anglers find success.

Thanks for reading and supporting our angling community!