NORTHEAST

NORTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Ute Lake: Annie Gammon, age 11, caught a crappie while fishing in coves using a white curly curly tail grub jig head on April 19. She also caught smallmouth bass using shad paddle-tail swimbaits.

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Charette Lakes: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using Garlic PowerBait and slow to fair when using dough bait.

Clayton Lake: The lake has reopened to the public.

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was 8.75 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Conchas Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using jerkbait.

Eagle Nest Lake: The most recent report was received April 16. At that time, fishing was good for trout when using nymphs on a fly rod.  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: The most recent report was received April 9. At that time, fishing for trout was good when trolling yellow Panther Martin spinners. For more information, visit Sugarite Canyon State Park’s webpage or call 575-445-5607.

Maxwell Lake 13: Fishing for trout was slow when using dough bait.

Monastery Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using nightcrawlers and Super Worms mealworms. Monastery 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 April 9. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using PowerBait.

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 43.5 cfs. Fishing for trout was very good when using prince nymphs.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 26.6 cfs.

Red River City Ponds: The most recent report was received April 9. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait and corn.

Red River Hatchery: The most recent report was received April 16. At that time,. fishing for trout was slow when fishing with a pheasant tail nymph on a fly rod.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morningwas 238 cfs. The most recent report was received April 2. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using worms.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 13.0 cfs.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 7.91 cfs.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was 14.7 cfs.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using Kastmasters.

Stubblefield Lake: The most recent report was received April 9. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow when using worms.

Ute Lake: Fishing for crappie was fair to good when using white curly tail grub jig heads.

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, Rio Costilla, Shuree Ponds, Springer Lake and Storrie Lake.

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Cochiti Lake: Joshua Henderson and his wife had an exciting day of fishing on April 7 on their first trip to Cochiti Lake. He caught a 29-inch northern pike and a 16-inch smallmouth bass, and his wife caught a 26-inch northern pike. He was using live minnows and she used a crappie lure.

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 288 cfs.

Bluewater Lake: The most recent report was received April 16. At that time, fishing for tiger muskie was fair to good when using rooster tail lures. Visit Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpage or call 505-876-2391 for more information.

Canjilon Lakes: The most recent report was received April 16. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair when using night crawlers and PowerBait.

Cochiti Lake: Fishing for northern pike was fair to good when using crappie lures and minnows. Fishing for white bass was good when using dark green Whopper Ploppers.

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 April 16. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair when using PowerBait. For more information, visit Fenton Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-829-3630.

Heron Lake: Anglers reported that the water level is slowly rising but remains extremely low.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 14.2 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using Salmon Peach PowerBait just below the town of Jemez Springs.

Navajo Lake: The most recent report was received April 2. At that time, fishing for crappie was very good when using jigs.

Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 274 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 322 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using rainbow PowerBait 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 185 cfs.

San Gregorio Lake: The most recent report was received April 9. At that time, fishing for trout was slow when using flies.

San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Wednesday morning was 333 cfs. Fly fishing was good in the quality waters.

Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: The most recent report was received April 16. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using pink salmon eggs. 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.

Tiger Park Reservoir: The most recent report was received April 9. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using orange-and-yellow spinners.

Tingley Beach: Fishing for trout was very good when using Garlic PowerBait. Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using 6th Sense shad swimbaits.

Trout Lakes: Fishing for trout was very good when using spinners.

We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Albuquerque Area Drains, Brazos River, Jackson Lake, Laguna del Campo, Lagunitas Lakes, Lake Farmington, Liam Knight Pond, McGaffey Lake, Rio Cebolla, Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Pond #1).

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Elephant Butte Lake: Vinny and Mitch caught a variety of white bass, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass using grubs on April 18.

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 April 16. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good when using PowerBait.

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using grubs. 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 good when using Garlic PowerBait.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 25 cfs.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 49.9 cfs.

Quemado Lake: Fishing for tiger muskie was good when using Panther Martins.

Rancho Grande Ponds: The most recent report was received April 2. At that time, fishing for catfish was very good when using PowerBait.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0.13 cfs.

Snow Lake: The most recent report was received April 16. At that time, fishing for trout was slow when using spinners and flies.

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

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Brantley Lake: Lola, age 4, caught a largemouth bass on a lure on April 11.

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Alto Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using PowerBait.

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

Black River: Streamflow at Malaga Wednesday morning was 4.22 cfs.

Blue Hole Park Pond: The most recent report was received April 2. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using Corn PowerBait.

Bonito Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using grubs. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.

Brantley Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was very good when using #2/3 Mepps inline spinners.

Corona Pond: The most recent report was received April 2. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using flies on a spin bubble.

Greene Acres Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass was fair to good when using homemade dough bait.

Grindstone Reservoir: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using Pink PowerBait. 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 April 9. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using minnows.

Oasis Park Lake: The most recent report was received April 9. At that time, fishing for trout and catfish was fair to good when using homemade dough bait.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 1,450 cfs.

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 11.2 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 April 2. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was slow when using poor house curly tail grubs.

We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Bataan Lake, Bosque Redondo Lake, Bottomless Lakes, Carlsbad Municipal Lake, Chaparral Park Lake, Dennis Chavez Pond, Estancia Park Lake, Eunice Lake, Green Meadow Lake, Harry McAdams Park Pond, Jal Lake, Ned Houk Ponds, Perch Lake, Rio Bonito, Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond, Spring River Pond and Sumner Lake.

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

State Parks urges cold-water safety for boaters

Ute Lake State Park, located just north of Tucumcari, is a popular destination for boating and jet ski enthusiasts.

New Mexico State Parks officials urge boaters to check water temperatures before hitting the lakes this spring, after several near-miss incidents in recent weeks involving boaters who underestimated how cold the water remains.

“People are eager to get back on the water, but the conditions haven’t caught up to the season yet,” said Scott Chalmers, New Mexico boating safety coordinator.

Boating on cold water requires planning for the possibility of sudden immersion. Survival depends on the ability to stay afloat and stay warm. Even experienced swimmers can become incapacitated quickly. Cold water immersion can:

• Trigger involuntary gasping, rapid breathing, and panic — increasing the risk of drowning if water is inhaled.
• Reduce strength in the arms, legs, hands and feet — making it nearly impossible to stay afloat without a life jacket.
• Lead to hypothermia, dramatically increasing the risk of drowning or death without rescue.

State Parks recommends the following safety steps for early-season boating:

• Always wear a properly fitted life jacket. It significantly increases the chances of survival.
• Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature, using a wetsuit, dry suit, or float coat.
• Check weather conditions before heading out.
• Share a float plan with someone on shore, including boating details, vehicle description, and emergency contacts.

Many state parks offer free life jackets through the statewide life jacket loaner program, a partnership with the Boat U.S. Foundation, the Sea Tow Foundation, and federal and local agencies. Boaters can borrow properly fitted infant, child, youth, or adult life jackets for the day or weekend at no cost and return them to the same station afterward.

State Parks is also installing new life jacket loaner kiosks this summer, beginning with Navajo Lake State Park. Similar to a “Little Free Library,” each kiosk will provide free use of life jackets for visitors of all ages. Two kiosks are planned for Navajo Lake, with the goal of installing kiosks at every lake state park statewide.

Boaters can find more safety resources, cold water information and preparation checklists on the New Mexico State Parks website.

Rendering of what the life jacket kiosks will look like. The first installation is slated for Navajo Lake State Park later this year.

Check the Fishing Conditions

and Trip Planner!

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. It displays hundreds of fishing access points with information on available fish species, facilities, accessibility, boat ramps and general regulations.

Check out the webpage to plan your trip now!