NORTHEAST

NORTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Eagle Nest Lake: Jude Dominguez caught a 20-inch rainbow trout from the bank with his Toy Story fishing rod using pink glitter marshmallow bait on May 16. 

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Charette Lakes: Fishing for trout was very good when using White PowerBait.

Clayton Lake: The most recent report was received April 30. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait.

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron on Wednesday morning was 10.7 cubic feet per second (cfs). Fishing for trout was very good when using prince nymphs with active fishing along the river below Eagle Nest Lake.

Conchas Lake: Fishing for white bass was very good using green lures. Fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass was good using brown crawfish plastic jig.

Cowles Ponds: The most recent report was received April 30. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using garlic-scented nightcrawlers.

Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing for rainbow trout was fair to good using pink glitter marshmallow bait. For updated lake conditions, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

Hopewell Lake: Fishing conditions for trout was very good when using jigs.

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 May 7. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using worms. For more information, visit Sugarite Canyon State Park’s webpage or call 575-445-5607.

Monastery Lake: The most recent report was received April 30. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using worms and PowerBait. 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 on Wednesday morning was 38.9 cfs. Trout fishing was good using mixed, perdigon and rainbow warrior nymph flies and spinners.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 34.0 cfs.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 216 cfs. The most recent report was received May 14. At that time, fishing near the Taos Junction Bridge was good for pike and carp using corn.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez on Wednesday morning was 21.9 cfs.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero on Wednesday morning was 7.35 cfs.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco on Wednesday morning was 6.95 cfs.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: The most recent report was received May 14. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using floating PowerBait and Pink Garlic PowerBait.

Ute Lake: Fishing for walleye, white bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and crappie was good using 4-inch Gulp minnows and paddle-tail swimbaits on jig heads.

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

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Abiquiu Lake: Kellen had a great fishing trip, catching some very nice bass and bluegill on white grub worms on May 14.

NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Abiquiu Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass and bluegill was good when using white grub worms. 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 773 cfs.

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for trout was slow using corn and PowerBait. Fishing for catfish was also slow when using hot dogs.Visit Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpageor call 505-876-2391 for more information.

Canjilon Lakes: The most recent report was received May 7. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using worms and PowerBait.

Cochiti Lake: Fishing for walleye was fair while targeting catfish with homemade bait.

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 May 14. At that time, fishing for trout was good using PowerBait and a spoon. For more information, visit Fenton Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-829-3630.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez on Wednesday morning was 6.86 cfs. The most recent report was received May 7. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using beadhead hare’s ear nymphs just below the town of Jemez Springs.

Navajo Lake: The most recent report was received April 30. At that time, fishing for northern pike was fair to good when using crankbaits. Fishing for northern pike and smallmouth bass was very good when using swim jigs.

Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 314 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 449 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 12.3 cfs.

San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Wednesday morning was 448 cfs.

Seven Springs Kids Pond: Fishing was good for trout when using garlic PowerBait.

Tingley Beach: Catfish fishing was slow to fair using corn.

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), San Gregorio Lake, Trout Lakes and Tiger Park Reservoir.

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Elephant Butte Lake: Sammy Johnson has been fishing for 50-plus years at Elephant Butte Lake and has never had a better 24 hours of fishing. Johnson and his son caught 20 white bass, several stripers and some crappie on May 11.

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 May 14. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was good using salmon eggs and Garlic PowerBait.

Caballo Lake: Fishing for walleye was slow but white bass was fair when using colorful lures.

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for white bass was fair to very good when trolling with shining lures and white soft 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 very good when using shrimp.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila on Wednesday morning was 24.3 cfs.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs on Wednesday morning was 54.7 cfs.

Lake Roberts: The most recent report was received May 7. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow when using PowerBait.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 529 cfs.

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

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Fishing for crappie has been good when using crankbaits in recent weeks at Sumner Lake State Park. (Photo courtesy New Mexico State Parks)

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Alto Lake: The most recent report was received May 7. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using PowerBait and wooly buggers.

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

Black River: Streamflow at Malaga Wednesday morning was 10.8 cfs.

Bonito Lake: The most recent report was received May 14. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using garlic-scented salmon eggs. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.

Brantley Lake: The most recent report was received May 7. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was very good when using pink rattler lures and white flukes. Fishing for white bass was good when using various lures. Fishing for walleye was good when using white lures.

Grindstone Reservoir: Grindstone Reservoir is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildfire impact closures, please see the Grindstone Reservoir Webpagebefore planning a visit.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 79.7 cfs.

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 5.38 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 May 7. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was slow to fair when using a Texas rig.

Sumner Lake: The most recent report was received May 14. At that time, fishing for crappie was good when using crankbaits.

We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Bataan Lake, Blue Hole Park Pond, Bosque Redondo Lake, Black River, Bottomless Lakes, 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, Perch Lake, Rio Bonito, Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond and Spring River Pond.

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

Department reminds boaters to clean, drain and dry this holiday weekend

Requirements designed to prevent the introduction

of invasive species in New Mexico

Clean, drain and dry: these three words represent requirements for boating in New Mexico and preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.

The New Mexico Department of Wildlife, along with New Mexico State Parks, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and other stakeholders are asking boaters to CLEAN, DRAIN and DRY their boats to stop the spread of harmful invasive mussels. Boaters should be prepared for mandatory inspections throughout the state designed to help ensure that New Mexico’s waters remain mussel-free.

An Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) is any non-native plant, animal or pathogen that can harm our economy, environment and the health of humans, animals or plants. The New Mexico Department of Wildlife, along with state, federal and private partners, are working diligently to stop the spread of AIS.

“Trying to keep AIS species out of our waterbodies is a big task, but with the public’s help, it is much more achievable. Each boat owner we can converse with allows us to teach proper ‘Clean, Drain, Dry’ techniques and provide education information that can be passed on to others,” said James Dominiguez, aquatic invasive species coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Wildlife.

Of particular concern is the invasion of New Mexico’s lakes and water by zebra and quagga mussels. The spread of these mussels not only poses a risk to the state’s native aquatic wildlife, but also to all water-based recreation, including boating and fishing, as well as to all surface water delivery systems, including municipal water supplies, hydroelectric power generation and irrigation for farming and agriculture.

Currently, there is no known method for successfully eradicating these mussels, resulting in enormous management costs that could be passed along to New Mexicans. In a water-dry state like ours, mussel infestations can affect everyone. This is why it is unlawful in New Mexico to knowingly transport AIS into or within its borders.

All boats are required to stop for a free inspection when check stations are in operation. All out-of-state boats or any boats re-entering the state must obtain an inspection prior to being launched or exposed to any waterbody in the state. The Department is manning inspection stations at several

lakes this summer in partnership with other agencies, including Navajo, Elephant Butte, Ute and Conchas lakes.

How to clean, drain and dry:

NMDOW urges all boaters to follow three simple steps every time they leave the water:

1. • CLEAN: Remove all plants, mud, and debris from the boat, trailer, and equipment.
   • DRAIN: Drain all water from the hull, live wells, bilge and motors by lowering the lower unit. Leave the drain plug out during transport.
   • DRY: Allow the watercraft to dry completely before launching in a different body of water.
   • Do not transfer live gamefish from one waterbody to another.

For more information on boat inspection locations and how you can help keep the state free of aquatic invasive species, please visit the Department’s AIS webpage. For boating rules and regulations, visit the New Mexico State Parks website.

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!