NORTHEAST

NORTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Conchas Lake: Ryan Martinez caught this great largemouth bass on a nekko rig senko worm on Sept. 6.

Conchas Lake: John Taylor caught this walleye using a Berkley flicker minnow sortly after a rainstorm.

Conchas Lake: Two-year-old Landon caught and released this smallmouth and many other fish all by himself on Sept. 6.

Conchas Lake: Ryan Martinez caught this his best walleye on a bottom bouncer/ crawler harness on Sept. 6.

Coyote Creek: Brandon Miera was told the flow was too low to catch fish, but he proved them wrong with a size-26 hook and a small salmon egg on Sept. 5.

Eagle Nest Lake: Israel Quintana had a slow day fishing for trout when using PowerBait on Sept. 6.

Latir Lakes: Michael Santistevan caught this trout on a Kastmaster at Lake No. 9 on Aug. 29.

Ute Lake: Robert Gutierrez caught this bass after the holiday crowds left on watermelon and pumpkin wacky worms Sept. 7.

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron on Tuesday morning was 1.27 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Conchas Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass was good when using ned rigs and curly tail jigs. Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using Nekko rigs and Senko worms. Fishing for walleye was very good when using a bottom bouncer/crawler harness.

Coyote Creek: Fishing for trout was slow when using salmon eggs.

Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using PowerBait. For updated lake conditions, visit Eagle Nest Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-377-1594.

Lake Maloya: Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait. For more information,visit Sugarite Canyon State Park’s webpageor call 575-445-5607.

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos on Tuesday morning was 17.4 cfs. The most recent report was received Sept. 3. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using worms.

Red River: The most recent report was received Aug. 27. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using worms. Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Tuesday morning was 24.2 cfs.

Rio Grande: The most recent report was received Aug. 27. At that time, fishing was good for smallmouth bass using a worm lure at the Taos Junction Bridge. Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Tuesday morning was 137 cfs.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez on Tuesday morning was 6.73 cfs.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero on Tuesday morning was 9.72 cfs.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco on Tuesday morning was 5.47 cfs.

Ute Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass was good when using watermelon and pumpkin wacky worms.

We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Cabresto Lake, Charette Lake, Clayton Lake, Cowles Ponds, Eagle Rock Lake, Fawn Lakes, Gallinas River, Harris Pond, Hopewell Lake, Lake Alice, Los Pinos River, Maxwell Lake 13, Morphy Lake, Red River City Ponds, Rio Costilla, Rito la Presa, Santa Cruz Reservoir, Shuree Ponds, Springer Lake, Storrie Lake and Stubblefield Lake.

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Abiquiu Lake: Prescilla Joseph celebrated her birthday fishing and had an amazing day with her family on Sept. 7. Happy birthday!

Bluewater Lake: Isaiah Vigil caught a 43-inch tiger muskie on an incredible trip! Fishing buddies, Elijah and Gruncle also caught great muskies on Sept. 6.

Navajo Lake: Angie Taylor caught this 38-inch northern pike using Berkley flicker shad while trolling on Aug. 29.

NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Abiquiu Lake: Fishing was very good for smallmouth bass was very good when using a worm on a jighead.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 Aug. 27. At that time, fishing for catfish was fair to good when using hot dogs.

Animas River: Fishing for trout was very good when using gray/green rooster tail spinner with PowerBait. Streamflow below Aztec on Tuesday morning was 44.1 cfs.

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for tiger muskie was good when using crankbaits, frog lures and X Raps.

Cochiti Lake: The most recent report was received Aug. 20. At that time, fishing for white bass and catfish was good when using live bait and worms.

El Vado Lake: Boating access is limited, with an imminent boat ramp closure expected due to low water conditions. For more information, visit El Vado Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-588-7247.

Fenton Lake: For more information, visit Fenton Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-829-3630.

Heron Lake: Boat ramps are closed due to extremely low water. For more information,visit Heron Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-588-7470.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez on Tuesday morning was 8.3 cfs. Fishing for trout on the Jemez River was good when using PowerBait.

Liam Knight Pond: The most recent report was received Aug. 20. At that time, fishing was slow to fair for catfish and carp using hot dogs.

Rio Cebolla: The most recent report was received Sept. 3. At that time, fishing for rainbow trout on the Rio Cebolla was good when using grasshopper flies.

Rio Chama: The most recent report was received Sept. 3. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using hand-tied flies below El Vado Lake. Streamflow below El Vado Lake on Tuesday morning was 103 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake on Tuesday morning was 395 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 on Tuesday morning was 0 cfs.

San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta on Tuesday morning was 867 cfs. Fishing for brown and rainbow trout was good when using size-22 red larva flies, midges and small dry flies in the quality waters.

Seven Springs Kids Pond: The most recent report was received Aug. 20. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using Rainbow PowerBait.

Tingley Beach: The most recent report was received Aug. 20. At that time, fishing for bass was slow to fair when using night poppers.

Trout Lakes: The most recent report was received Sept. 3. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using Salmon Peach PowerBait and Panther Martins.

We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Brazos River, Bluewater Lake, Canjilon Lakes, Lake Farmington, McGaffey Lake, Navajo Lake, Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Park #1), San Gregorio Lake and Tiger Park Reservoir.

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Young Pond: Chad Lozano spent his day off fishing and caught this fine channel catfish with live bait in recent weeks.

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Bill Evans Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 3. At that time, fishing for bluegill and carp was good when using inline method feeders. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using chicken liver, bluegill and inline method feeders.

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

Caballo Lake: With recent water releases from Elephant Butte and Caballo lakes, water levels are changing across the lake; boaters should exercise caution in low-water areas. For more information, visit the Caballo Lake State Park webpage or call 575-743-3942.

Elephant Butte Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 3. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good when using spoons from the shore. Due to historically low water levels, vessel launching at the Marina del Sur boat ramp is hazardous because of sediment and debris on the ramp. The South Monticello and Rock Canyon boat ramps remain closed due to low water levels. For more information, visit the Elephant Butte State Park webpage or call 575-744-5923.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila on Tuesday morning was 33.4 cfs.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs on Tuesday morning was 37.9 cfs.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Lake was 0 cfs.

Young Pond: The most recent report was received Sept. 3. At that time, fishing for bass was fair to good when using micro 1/16-ounce jigs with micro soft plastics. Fishing for bluegill and sunfish was fair to good when using live red worms or wax worms on a slip float setup No. 8 hook. Fishing for catfish was good when using worms.

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

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Grindstone Lake: Miles Johnson caught three bass along the shore on Sept. 7. The last one was his best!

Santa Rosa Lake: A family day trip turned into a great day of fishing on Sept. 8. David Montoya caught his best catfish using cutbait.

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

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

Black River: Streamflow at Malaga on Tuesday morning was 6.19 cfs.

Bonito Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 3. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to very good when using PowerBait, spoons, spinners and salmon eggs, and fair to good when using rainbow Panther Martins and worms. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake. Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on this property.

Bosque Redondo Lake: Fishing for catfish was very good when using hot dogs.

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: The most recent report was received Aug. 27. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was good when using a rattle trap.

Grindstone Reservoir: Fishing for catfish was good when using grasshoppers.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 Tuesday morning was 90.7 cfs.

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Tuesday morning was 5.18 cfs. Fishing conditions will be adversely affected for an extended period of time due to recent flooding in the area.

Santa Rosa Lake: Fishing for catfish was very good when using cut bait. The boat ramp is closed. For more information, visit the Santa Rosa Lake State Park webpage or call 575-472-3110.

We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Alto Lake, Bataan Lake, Blue Hole Park Pond, Bottomless Lakes, Brantley Lake, Chaparral Park Lake, Corona Pond, Dennis Chavez Pond, Estancia Park Lake, Eunice Lake,Greene Acres Lake, Green Meadow Lake, Harry McAdams Park Pond, Jal Lake, Lake Van, Ned Houk Ponds, Oasis Park Lake, Perch Lake, Rio Bonito, Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond, Spring River Pond, Sumner Lake and Timberon Ponds.

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

How to Measure a Fish

By: Melissa Garnett, M.S.

Southeast Area Public Information Specialist

There are many reasons an angler may need or want to measure their catch. In case you are new to measuring fish or need a refresher, see the steps below.

Whether you are applying for a Master Angler Award or checking lengths for state records, the standardized method for fish measuring will ensure an accurate report.

• What you’ll need:

  • A tape measure or length board.

  • If you don’t have a length board, you can easily fashion one by attaching a measuring tape to a board.

Once you have a way to measure your catch, place the fish on a flat surface with its nose to your left, flush with the ‘0’ on the length board/tape measure. You will measure the total length by slightly pinching the fish’s caudal (tail) fin and reading the longest edge of the fin.

Check the Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner!

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!