SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
NORTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK |
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Monastery Lake: Emma and Evan combined to catch eight trout and released at least five more using Mice Tails without a bobber on March 28. |
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Pecos River: Alijah Ortiz, age 8, caught three trout using worms at the El Pueblo Dam on March 28. |
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NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT |
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Charette Lakes: The upper and lower lakes have reopened to the public. Clayton Lake: The lake has reopened to the public. Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was 11.6 cubic feet per second (cfs). Conchas Lake: The most recent report was received March 26. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was slow to fair when using plastic tubes. Eagle Nest Lake: The lake surface may have a thin layer of ice early in the morning that burns off by midday. Avoid the boat ramp when there is snow and ice on it. For updated lake conditions, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594. Lake Alice: For more information, visit Sugarite Canyon State Park’s webpage or call 575-445-5607. Lake Maloya: For more information, visit Sugarite Canyon State Park’s webpage or call 575-445-5607. Maxwell Lakes: Lakes 13 and 14 have reopened to the public. Monastery Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using Mice Tails without a bobber. Monastery Lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property. Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 42.3 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using worms. Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 36.7 cfs. Red River City Ponds: The ponds have reopened to the public. Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morningwas 247 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using worms. Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 15.3 cfs. Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 7.91 cfs. Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was 18.7 cfs. Santa Cruz Reservoir: The most recent report was received March 26. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using nightcrawlers. Storrie Lake: The most recent report was received March 12. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using floating bait. Ute Lake: The most recent report was received March 26. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was slow when using black-and-blue skirted jigs with Rage Craw trailers. Fishing for smallmouth bass was very good when using minnows.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Cabresto Lake, Cowles Ponds, Coyote Creek, Eagle Rock Lake, Gallinas River, Harris Pond, Los Pinos River, Morphy Lake, Red River Hatchery, Rio Costilla, Shuree Ponds, Springer Lake and Stubblefield Lake. |
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NORTHWEST |
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NORTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK |
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Cochiti Lake: Russ Keys caught a northern pike using a segmented swim bait with an orange belly from a kayak on March 25. “Water was calm,” he said. “I trolled north of the dock, then turned back to the south to dry by the dam. I felt like I got hung up on the bottom near the swimming area. Largest fish I’ve ever caught.” |
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Tingley Beach: Paloma Sisson, age 2½, caught a trout using Green PowerBait on her Barbie fishing rod during her first fishing trip on March 29. |
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NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT |
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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 754 cfs. Bluewater Lake: The most recent report was received March 26. At that time, fishingfor tiger muskie was slow to fair when using rooster tail lures and fair to good when using PowerBait. Fishing for trout was very good when using garlic cheese. 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 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 most recent report was received March 26. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair when using Orange Garlic PowerBait. For more information, visit Fenton Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-829-3630. Heron Lake: The most recent report was received March 26. At that time, anglersreported difficult conditions, with receding water increasing the risk of getting stuck in mud or quicksand. Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 23 cfs. Fishing for trout was very good when using Orange PowerBait. Navajo Lake: Fishing for crappie was very good when using jigs. Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 259 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 353 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 258 cfs. San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Wednesday morning was 276 cfs.Fly-fishing for rainbow trout and brown trout in the quality waters was very good. Fishing for trout was good when using salmon eggs in the bait section. Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: The most recent report was received March 26. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using olive-colored Pistol Petes. 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 good when using Green PowerBait.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Albuquerque Area Drains, Brazos River, Canjilon Lakes, Cochiti Lake,Jackson Lake, Laguna del Campo, Lagunitas Lakes, Lake Farmington, Liam Knight Pond, McGaffey Lake, Rio Cebolla, Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Pond #1), San Gregorio Lake, Tiger Park Reservoir and Trout Lakes. |
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SOUTHWEST |
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SOUTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK |
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Bill Evans Lake: Alberto Vasquez caught a 6-pound, 4-ounce bass as part of a total of 10 bass using Hendrix Fishing 6-inch VooDoo Finesse Worms on March 21. |
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Bill Evans Lake: The younger Alberto Vasquez caught 10 bass of his own using Hendrix Fishing 6-inch VooDoo Finesse Worms on March 21. |
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Bill Evans Lake: EJ Palacios caught four largemouth bass using a square bill while fishing with his family on March 21. |
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Escondida Lake: Carlos Griego and his dad, Robert, teamed up to catch a catfish using Gulp Trout Bait on March 26. “It was funny when he said, ‘I caught it and you netted it, Dad,’” Robert said. |
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Quemado Lake: Wynlee May Weathers caught two chubby 17-inch trout using Garlic PowerBait — “the sparkling kind” — on the west side of the lake on March 28. |
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Rancho Grande Ponds: Austyn Riley and his parents each caught their limit of catfish using PowerBait on March 29. Austyn caught 12 fish in all, keeping his limit of five and releasing the rest. |
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SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT |
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Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing conditions have been adversely affected in the aftermath of the Trout Fire. Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was very good when using Hendrix Fishing 6-inch VooDoo Finesse Worms and fair to good when using square bills. Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for white bass was very good when using a variety of lures. The South Monticello boat ramp is currently closed due to low water levels. The closure will be lifted when water levels rise and conditions allow. Escondida Lake: Fishing for catfish was slow when using Gulp Trout Bait. Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 61.2 cfs. Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 66.2 cfs. Lake Roberts: The most recent report was received March 26. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair when using PowerBait and good when using rooster tail spinners from a kayak. Quemado Lake: Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using Garlic PowerBait. Rancho Grande Ponds: Fishing for catfish was very good when using PowerBait. Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0.1 cfs.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Caballo Lake, Glenwood Pond, Percha Dam, Rancho Grande Ponds, Snow Lake, Trees Lake and Young Pond. |
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SOUTHEAST |
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SOUTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK |
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Blue Hole Park Pond: Ayden Baca, age 7, caught four rainbow trout, and Ayla Baca, age 3, caught three using Corn PowerBait while fishing with their dad at the kiddie ponds on March 28. |
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Bonito Lake: Cesar Cordero and his group caught their limits of trout using Green Garlic PowerBait on March 23. “We started at 11 a.m. and limited out at 6 p.m.,” Cesar said. “The trout were extremely active in the morning hours and later in the afternoon. We caught several large trout about 18-22 inches. It was a great day on the lake and was my son Tony’s first time fishing.” |
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Santa Rosa Lake: Dominic Chavez caught two largemouth bass using poor house curly tail grubs on March 29. |
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SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT |
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Alto Lake: The most recent report was received on March 19. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using PowerBait, Pautzke Fire Balls, multicolored Kastmasters and worms. Berrendo Creek: Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on this property. Black River: Streamflow at Malaga, Wednesday morning was 2.77 cfs. Bonito Lake: The most recent report was received on March 19. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using red worms and Rainbow Garlic-Scented PowerBait.Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake. Chaparral Park Lake: The most recent report was received on March 12. At that time, fishing for bass was very good when using swim baits. Grindstone Reservoir: The most recent report was received on March 19. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait and salmon eggs. Grindstone Reservoir is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildfire impact closures, please see the Grindstone Reservoir Webpage before planning a visit. Lake Van: The most recent report was received on March 19. At that time, fishing for catfish was fair to good when using golden Kastmasters. Oasis Park Lake: The most recent report was received on March 5. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using PowerBait. Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake on Wednesday morning was 96.3 cfs. Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 16.6 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 on March 12. At that time, fishing for bass was slow to fair when using shallow square-bill crankbaits. Sumner Lake: Fishing for walleye was slow to fair when using white shad.
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, 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, Perch Lake, Rio Bonito, Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond and Spring River Pond. |
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TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES |
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New Mexico promotes safe boating
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By New Mexico State Parks
As spring approaches and New Mexicans begin planning time on the water, New Mexico State Parks is encouraging boaters to take advantage of free boating safety courses offered statewide.
Boating is one of the most popular outdoor activities in New Mexico. From paddling across quiet coves to waterskiing, tubing and operating personal watercraft, the state’s lakes provide opportunities for recreation, relaxation and adventure.
But safe boating requires preparation.
“New Mexico’s lakes offer incredible experiences for families and visitors, but boating safety must always come first,” said Boating Safety Coordinator Scott Chalmers. “Our courses help boaters understand the rules of the water, prepare for changing conditions and make responsible decisions that keep everyone safe.”
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While New Mexico is often perceived as a desert state, its lakes provide hundreds of miles of shoreline and diverse boating environments—from the pine-covered mesas surrounding Navajo Lake to the sandy beaches of Elephant Butte Lake.
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Despite persistent statewide drought conditions, several lakes—including Conchas, Ute, and Storrie—are showing improved water levels heading into the recreation season. All State Parks remain popular destinations for boating, fishing, and paddling. Site reservations are available up to six months in advance by clicking here.
Boating accidents can occur when operators are inexperienced, unprepared or take unnecessary risks. Sudden weather changes and cold-water conditions can also create dangerous situations for boaters throughout the year.
To help reduce accidents and promote safe recreation, New Mexico State Parks offers the Boat New Mexico Course, a NASBLA-approved boating safety class available in communities across the state. Courses are free in both English and Spanish, and cover navigation rules, safety equipment and responsible boating practices.
Upcoming classes include:
Additional courses will continue throughout the year at locations across New Mexico.
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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! |
