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Got a fish story you want to share?
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Tell us all about it! Just visit the Department of Wildlife’s Weekly Fishing and Stocking Report website and use the iFish form at the bottom of the page. Submissions received by noon Mondaywill be considered for inclusion in that week’s fishing report. Fish weights and measurements are provided by the angler and displayed here as received. Photos containing sensitive material may be altered or excluded at the Department’s discretion.
This fishing report has been generated from the best information available at the time of publication.
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Get ready for fall fishing! Don’t forget
your 2026-2027 fishing license!
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NORTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK
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Rio Grande: Seth Hardy caught and released this 17.5-inch rainbow trout near Questa on Sept. 13.
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Charette Lake: The lake is currently under a Harmful Algae Bloom Danger Advisory.
Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron on Tuesday morning was 25.7 cubic feet per second (cfs).
Clayton Lake: The lake is currently under a Harmful Algae Bloom Warning Advisory.
Conchas Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass was good when using Ned rigs. Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using Nekko rigs and Senko worms. Fishing for walleye was very good when using a crawler harness.
Coyote Creek: The most recent report was received Sept. 10. At that time, fishing for trout was slow when using salmon eggs.
Eagle Nest Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 10. At that time, fishingfor 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. The lake is under a Harmful Algae Bloom Warning Advisory.
Lake Maloya: The most recent report was received Sept. 10. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait. For more information, visit Sugarite Canyon State Park’s webpage or call 575-445-5607.
Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos on Tuesday morning was 21.9 cfs. The most recent report was received Sept 3. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using worms.
Red River: Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using PowerBait with aniseed. Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Tuesday morning was 30.5 cfs.
Rio Grande: Fishing was good for rainbow trout using olive streamer flies at the Taos Junction Bridge. Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Tuesday morning was 144 cfs. The Rio Grande is currently under a Harmful Algae Bloom Danger Advisory from the John Dunn Bridge through the Orilla Verde Recreation Area.
Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez on Tuesday morning was 7.11 cfs.
Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero on Tuesday morning was 8.78 cfs.
Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco on Tuesday morning was 3.02 cfs.
Ute Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 10. At that time, 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, 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.
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NORTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK
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Navajo Lake: Rick Kyle reeled in this great smallmouth bass using Z Man Green Pumpkin bait on Sept. 11.
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Bluewater Lake: Emilio Hernandez caught a large tiger muskie using swim baits on Sept. 12.
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Fenton Lake: Anthony Nunez had a beautiful day fishing on Sept. 12. His first catch was a 17.5-inch trout using a Kastmaster. An hour later, he caught a 20-inch trout using a Trout Magnet.
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Abiquiu Lake: Joshua Archuleta had a great day fishing on Sept. 12. He caught a lot of fish including two monster walleye, with the biggest being 25 inches and weighing almost 5 pounds.
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Navajo Lake: Judah caught a great catfish using worms while night fishing on Sept. 11.
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Navajo Lake: Rick Kyle also had some good luck fishing for northern pike on Z Man Green Pumpkin bait last week.
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Tingley Beach: Judah caught a big catfish using worms on his last cast of the day on Sept. 12.
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Abiquiu Lake: Fishing for walleye was good when using a Panther Martin with worms.Fishing for smallmouth bass was very good when using worms on a jig head. Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371for updated lake conditions and closure information.
Animas River: The most recent report was received Sept. 10. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using gray/green rooster tail spinners with PowerBait. Streamflow below Aztec on Tuesday morningwas 147 cfs.
Bluewater Lake: Fishing for tiger muskie was good when using crank, frog, and X-Raps but slow when using swim baits. The lake is currently under a Harmful Algae Bloom Warning Advisory.
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: Fishing for trout was fair to very good when using Kastmasters, spoons and spinner lures. 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 7.9 cfs. The most recent report was received Sept. 10. At that time, fishing for trout on the Jemez River was good when using PowerBait.
Navajo Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using worms. Fishing for smallmouth bass was slow to fair when using Zman green pumpkin bait.
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 40.9 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 3.4 cfs.
San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta on Tuesday morning was 883 cfs. The most recent report was received Sept. 10. At that time, fishing for brown and rainbow trout was good when using size-22 red larva flies, midges and small dry flies in the quality waters.
Tingley Beach: Fishing for catfish was slow when using worms.
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: Albuquerque Area Drains, Brazos River, Bluewater Lake, Canjilon Lakes, Cochiti Lake, Lake Farmington, Liam Knight Pond, McGaffey Lake, Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Park #1), San Gregorio Lake, Seven Springs Kids Pond and Tiger Park Reservoir.
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SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK
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Bill Evans Lake: Jori Gramzow caught this largemouth bass using a creme pre-rigged scoundrel worm while trolling near the dam last month. As she put it, “Bruno the bass couldn’t resist my fake worm!”
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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 87.9 cfs.
Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs on Tuesday morning was 159 cfs.
Quemado Lake: The lake is currently under a Harmful Algae Bloom Danger Advisory.
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.
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SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK
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Alto Lake: Brian Powers had a pleasant surprise catching several largemouth bass and trout on Sept. 12.
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Alto Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using a combo of worms, Kastmasters and rainbow spinners. Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using rainbow spinners.
Berrendo Creek: Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on this property.
Black River: Streamflow at Malaga on Tuesday morning was 2.27 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: The most recent report was received Sept. 10. At that time, fishing for catfish was very good when using hot dogs.
Grindstone Reservoir: The most recent report was received Sept. 10. At that time, fishing for bass 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 85.9 cfs.
Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Tuesday morning was 6.93 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 Sept. 10. At that time, fishingfor catfish was fair to 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, Carlsbad Municipal 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.
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What’s the difference between red, green and Xmas?
By: Colleen Payne, M.S.
Southwest Area Public Information Specialist
As New Mexicans, we often have to choose between red, green or Christmas.
Anglers face the same choice when they head to one of the state’s Special Trout Waters. These waters, also known as STWs, are managed to enhance the unique angling opportunities available in New Mexico. Regulations vary for STWs — some are managed to produce trophy-size trout, some to improve conservation of native trout, and others to enhance the overall trout population structure and density.
The different sets of STWs are separated into Green Chile, Red Chile and Xmas Chile waters, making them easy to remember and distinctly New Mexican. Regulations are tailored to each water and may include reduced bag limits, catch-and-release for native Gila trout and Rio Grande cutthroat trout or increased harvest for nonnative fish species. Signs with symbols are posted at STWs with bag limits and tackle restrictions. By following these regulations, anglers help to conserve healthy fisheries in New Mexico and promote high-quality fishing experiences for everyone.
Here are the different rules for each type of Special Trout Water:
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Red Chile Water: Catch-and-release only. Tackle restrictions include an artificial fly or lure with a single, barbless hook.
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Green Chile Water: Bag limit of two trout only. Tackle restrictions include an artificial fly or lure with a single, barbless hook.
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Xmas Chile Water: Bag limit of two trout only. Any legal tackle may be used.
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Locations of all chile waters are listed on pages 21–23 of the Fishing Rules and Information Booklet.
Several STWs have been established to help protect and conserve Gila trout and Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Non-native trout species can outcompete or hybridize with native trout species. In order to protect native trout species, unlimited bag limits in some waters have been established for nonnative trout species (rainbow, brown and brook trout). These waters are listed on page 22 under Red Chile (Native Trout Conservation).
Many STWs require artificial flies and lures with a single, barbless hook. It is illegal to disturb rocks, plants or sediment to attract fish. Chumming and baitfish use are not allowed in any STW. More than one fly or lure (dry and dropper combination) can be used on a single line in STWs.
All fishing in STWs must stop when the daily bag limit for that water has been taken. Anglers may not continue to fish another STW with a similar or lower bag limit but may continue to fish in waters with a higher bag limit. Anglers must count those STW fish toward their overall daily bag limit.
When fishing in STWs where the bag limit is zero, anglers must not possess any trout.
So, the next time you head out to one of New Mexico’s Special Trout Waters, remember that red, green or Christmas isn’t just a question for the dinner table. Choose your chile wisely, and good luck fishing!
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Check the Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner!
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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.
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SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
