NORTHEAST

NORTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

The ice surface at Eagle Nest Lake remains closed to all activities due to deteriorating ice conditions.

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was 5.38 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Eagle Nest Lake: The lake surface is closed to all activities due to deteriorating ice conditions. For updated lake conditions, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

Eagle Rock Lake: The most recent report was received Feb. 5. At that time, ice fishing for trout was very good when using tungsten Simco bugs.

Lake Alice: Anglers reported the lake is closed to ice fishing and shore fishing. For more information, visit Sugarite Canyon State Park’s webpage or call 575-445-5607.

Lake Maloya: Anglers reported the lake is closed to ice fishing and shore fishing. For more information, visit Sugarite Canyon State Park’s webpage or call 575-445-5607.

Monastery Lake: The lake is closed due to unsafe ice conditions. Monastery 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 not measured due to ice.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 35.1 cfs.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 503 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was slow when using a variety of midges, perdigon flies and dry flies.

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

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 6.09 cfs.

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

Ute Lake: The most recent report was received Feb. 12. At that time, fishing for walleye was good to very good when using deep-diving lures, 4-inch Gulp minnows and blade baits. Fishing for catfish was good when using 4-inch Gulp minnows and blade baits. Fishing for white bass was very good when using 4-inch Gulp minnows and blade baits.

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, Gallinas River, Harris Pond, 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 CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Abiquiu Lake: Val Armijo, of Albuquerque, caught a kokanee salmon and four rainbow trout trolling a Shad Rap Deep Runner from his new boat on Feb. 12.

Tingley Beach: Iris Mora, age 4, caught four rainbow trout in the children’s pond using floating Pink PowerBait while fishing with her dad, grandpa and little sister on Feb. 7.

NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Abiquiu Lake: Fishing for kokanee salmon and rainbow trout was good when trolling Shad Rap Deep Runners from a boat. Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371 for updated lake conditions and closure information.

Albuquerque Area Drains: The most recent report was received Feb. 12. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was good when using curly tail shad.

Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec on Wednesday morning was 230 cfs.

Bluewater Lake: Visit Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpage or call 505-876-2391 for more information.

El Vado Lake: The lake is open to boating and angling. A primitive boat ramp is 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: The most recent report was received Jan. 29. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using PowerBait.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 28.7 cfs. The most recent report was received Feb. 5. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using mealworms.

Liam Knight Pond: The most recent report was received Feb. 12. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using red earthworms.

Navajo Lake: The most recent report was received Feb. 12. At that time, fishing for crappie was good when using jigs.

Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 93 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 38.2 cfs. Please remember that 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 531 cfs.

San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta on Wednesday morning was 329 cfs.

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.

Tingley Beach: Fishing for trout was very good when using floating Pink PowerBait.

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

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Fishing for trout at Escondida Lake was slow to fair when using Garlic PowerBait and corn last week. (Photo courtesy of City of Socorro)

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 Feb. 12. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using Kastmasters from a boat.

Elephant Butte Lake: The most recent report was received Jan. 29. At that time, 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 restricted due to low water levels. The closures will be lifted when water levels rise and conditions allow.

Escondida Lake: Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using Garlic PowerBait and corn.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila on Wednesday morning was 115 cfs.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs on Wednesday morning was 71.9 cfs.

Rio Grande: The most recent report was received Jan. 29. At that time, 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 0.06 cfs.

Young Pond: The most recent report was received Feb. 12. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using inline spinners.

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

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Bonito Lake: Justin Thor Simenson caught five fish, including this 12-inch brook trout, using worms on Feb. 15. “After a slow start, fishing picked up mid-afternoon,” he said.

Bonito Lake: Ember, Charlie and Emma caught five nice-sized trout in the span of a few hours using Salmon Peach Glitter PowerBait and Rainbow Glitter PowerBait on Feb. 11.

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Alto Lake: The most recent report was received Feb. 12. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using PowerBait Rainbow Nuggets and Green Trout Nuggets, and fair to good when using Kastmasters, worms and Rainbow Twist PowerBait.

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

Black River: Streamflow at Malaga on Wednesday morning was 5.6 cfs.

Bonito Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using worms and fair to good when using Salmon Peach Glitter PowerBait and Rainbow Glitter PowerBait. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.

Corona Pond: The most recent report was received Feb. 12. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using cut bait.

Eunice Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using rooster tails.

Green Meadow Lake: The most recent report was received Feb. 5. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait Corn Nuggets.

Grindstone Reservoir: The most recent report was received Feb. 12. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using multicolored Kastmasters and worms.Grindstone Reservoir is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildfire impact closures, please see the Grindstone Reservoir Webpage before planning a visit.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake on Wednesday morning was 15.1 cfs.

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 22.1 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: Alto Lake, Bataan Lake, Blue Hole Park Pond, Bosque Redondo Lake, Bottomless Lakes, Brantley Lake, Carlsbad Municipal Lake, Chaparral Park Lake, Dennis Chavez Pond, Estancia Park 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 and Sumner Lake.

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

How do you fish when it’s windy outside?

By Darren Vaughan

If you’re going to fish in New Mexico, chances are you’re going to have to deal with the wind at some point. After all, the Global Wind Atlas ranks the Land of Enchantment as the 15^th-windiest state in the U.S. (13^th in the lower 48), just behind Texas and just ahead of New York.

For some, a stiff breeze might be enough to spoil an otherwise good day of angling. However, with a few tweaks, you can use the wind to your advantage.

First, make sure to cast downwind. Casting with the wind at your back can make for longer, more accurate casts, while casting into the wind can blow your hook right back toward you. Second, you should use a heavier lure. Light lures can get caught in the wind and potentially go somewhere you don’t want them to go — that tree just downstream might become an undesired catch of the day. A heavier lure can cut through the wind and go where you want it to. You’ll also want to pick something a bit flashier, as the water may become murky as the wind churns it up.

Pay attention to which direction the wind is blowing. If it is blowing toward one of the banks, it is likely pushing your fish of choice — and their food of choice — that direction as well. If there’s a bunch of food piled up against that bank, then there’s likely more fish in search of a meal over there, too.

Of course, there are times when the wind is too strong. I’ve heard people say that the sweet spot is below 10 mph, while 10-15 mph is OK, and anything over 15 mph is too windy. However, everyone’s got their opinion, and maybe for some of you, 20 mph works well, or perhaps any wind at all makes your luck disappear.

But wind doesn’t have to spoil your fishing day. In fact, it can actually improve it.

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!