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NORTHEAST

NORTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Eagle Nest Lake: Casey Ripley caught and released six rainbow trout using wet flies on Oct. 1.

Eagle Nest Lake: Val Armijo caught his limit of five rainbow trout in three hours using Salmon Peach PowerBait on Oct. 7. The largest trout he caught measured 21 inches in length.

Pecos River: Mateo Martinez caught five trout using salmon eggs on Oct. 10.

Pecos River: Nolan Conatser, age 13, from Vega, Texas, caught and released six trout using salmon eggs on Oct. 10.

Pecos River: Jorge Liloy caught and released seven trout using Pat’s Rubber Legs and Woolly Buggers on Oct. 9.

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Charette Lake: The lake is currently under a Harmful Algae Bloom Warning Advisory.

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron on Tuesday morning was 8.63 cubic feet per second (cfs). The Gravel Pit lakes are closed until March 1.

Clayton Lake: The lake is currently under a Harmful Algae Bloom Warning Advisory.

Conchas Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 24. At that time, fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass was very good when using topwater poppers.

Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing for rainbow trout was fair to good when using wet flies and very good when using Salmon Peach PowerBait. The lake is currently under a Harmful Algae Bloom Warning Advisory.

Hopewell Lake: The day use area and campground are closed until 2027. For more information, visit Carson National Forest’s webpage or call 575-758-6200.

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 189 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using salmon eggs, Pat’s Rubber Legs and Woolly Buggers.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Tuesday morning was 48.2 cfs.

Rio Grande: Fishing for rainbow trout was slow to fair when using jerkbaits. Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Tuesday morning was 229 cfs. The Rio Grande is currently under a Harmful Algae Bloom Warning Advisory from the John Dunn Bridge through the Orilla Verde Recreation Area.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez on Tuesday morning was 16.5 cfs.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero on Tuesday morning was 53.2 cfs.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco on Tuesday morning was 23.9 cfs.

Shuree Ponds: The most recent report was received Sept. 24. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using elk hair caddis flies, blowtorch nymph files and Higa’s S.O.S. nymph flies.

Ute Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 24. At that time, fishing for white bass, smallmouth bass and catfish was good when using jig heads and 4-inch Gulp minnows. Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using paddle tail swimbaits.

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

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Abiquiu Lake: Zach Trujillo caught four walleye using white Berkley Flicker Shad while trolling near Rio Puerco on Oct. 11.

Fenton Lake: Wynlee May, Cash and Dad caught their limit of trout by 10 a.m. Oct. 12 using Pistol Petes on a beautiful Monday morning.

Fenton Lake: Ralph Lopez and his son combined to catch 10 trout using Yellow PowerBait on Oct. 5.

San Juan River: Bernie Garcia caught and released 20 rainbow trout using Green Glitter PowerBait in the bait section on Oct. 11.

NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Abiquiu Lake: Fishing for walleye was good when using white Berkley Flicker Shad while trolling near Rio Puerco. Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371 for updated lake conditions and closure information.

Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec on Tuesday morning was 729 cfs.

Bluewater Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 24. At that time, fishing for tiger muskie was slow when using swimbaits. 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 very good when using Pistol Petes. 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 Springs on Tuesday morning was 24.1 cfs.

Liam Knight Pond: The most recent report was received Sept. 24. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was slow to fair when using rooster tail spinners.

Navajo Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 24. At that time, fishing for smallmouth bass was slow to fair when using Ned rigs.

Rio Cebolla: Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using PowerBait.

Rio Chama: Fishing for trout was slow to far when using marshmallow worms. Streamflow below El Vado Lake on Tuesday morningwas 108 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake on Tuesday morning was 101 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 302 cfs.

San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta on Tuesday morning was 280 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using Green Glitter PowerBait in the bait section.

Tingley Beach: The most recent report was received Sept. 24. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow when using chicken liver.

We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Albuquerque Area Drains, Brazos River, Canjilon Lakes, Cochiti Lake, Lake Farmington, McGaffey Lake, Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Park #1), San Gregorio Lake,Seven Springs Kids Pond, Tiger Park Reservoir and Trout Lakes.

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Rising water levels have allowed for the Marina del Sur boat ramp to reopen at Elephant Butte Lake State Park, though the South Monticello and Rock Canyon boat ramps remain closed. (Photo courtesy New Mexico State Parks)

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Bear Canyon Lake: Closed to the public Monday–Thursday. The lake will remain open Friday-Sunday. Regular use projected to return in January 2027.

Bill Evans Lake: The most recent report was received Oct. 8. At that time, fishing for catfish was fair to good when using cutbait.

Caballo Lake: With recent flooding along the Rio Grande, 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 Marina del Sur boat ramp is now open. Park staff reminds visitors to remain cautious of lake debris and shallow areas due to recent changes in water levels. The Rock Canyon and South Monticello boat ramps are closed. For more information, visit the Elephant Butte State Park webpage or call 575-744-5923.

Escondida Lake: Fishing for catfish was good when using chicken liver and fair when using worms. Fishing for bluegill was fair when using worms. Fishing for carp was fair when using chicken liver.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila on Tuesday morning was 238 cfs.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs on Tuesday morning was 201 cfs.

Quemado Lake: The lake is currently under a Harmful Algae Bloom Danger Advisory.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Lake was 3.87 cfs.

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

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Alto Lake: Darrell Carr caught a 6-pound, 3-ounce largemouth bass using a black Texas-rigged Baby Papa Craw on Oct. 6.

Greene Acres Lake: Matthew Ramirez and Ezekiel caught two bass using hot dogs on Oct. 8.

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Alto Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using black Texas-rigged Baby Papa Craws.

Bataan Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 24. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using shrimp on a Carolina rig.

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

Black River: Streamflow at Malaga on Tuesday morning was 3.46 cfs.

Greene Acres Lake: Fishing for bass was fair to good when using hot dogs.

Ned Houk Ponds: The most recent report was received Sept. 24. At that time, fishing for catfish was good when using chicken liver.

Oasis Park Lake: Fishing for catfish was good when using Hog Wild.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake on Tuesday morning was 0.25 cfs.

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Tuesday morning was 215 cfs. Fishing conditions will be adversely affected for an extended period of time due to recent flooding in the area.

We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Bonito Lake, Blue Hole Park Pond, Bosque Redondo Lake, 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, Grindstone Reservoir, Harry McAdams Park Pond, Jal Lake, Lake Van, Perch Lake, Rio Bonito, Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond, Santa Rosa Lake, Spring River Pond, Sumner Lake and Timberon Ponds.

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

When the fish stop biting: Changing up your approach

By Darren Vaughan

Communications Director

It happens to the best of us.

Just when you think you’ve found the perfect spot, your favorite bait or lure and put your line in the water: nothing. Not a single bite. You’re doing the same thing you’ve done hundreds of times, and it has never failed you before — so, why now?

Maybe it’s time to alter your approach a bit. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel, but just a few tiny changes can make a huge difference.

• Switch up your presentation. It might not be the lure that’s not working. Sometimes, if you slow down your retrieve speed, pause occasionally or vary your speed, it will get a fish’s attention.

• Go bigger or smaller. If that doesn’t work, changing up the size of your lure can help. A larger lure can attract fish with bigger appetites, while some fish may be drawn more to a smaller lure. You can also try different colors to account for changing water clarity or light conditions.

• Fish at a different depth. There’s a good reason they call it “fishing” and not “catching.” Fish tend to be fairly unpredictable, which means they won’t always be at the depth you expect them to be. If surface fishing isn’t working, go deep. If you’re bottom fishing, come up a little bit. And, again, changing your lure, retrieve speed or weight can be helpful.

• Move to a new spot. Maybe that hot spot isn’t so hot anymore. Instead, perhaps the fish have moved on to a place where conditions are more suitable for them, such as near a submerged structure, along drop-offs, in a deeper pool or where faster water meets a slower current. If cast after cast is proving unproductive, it may be time to find a new location.

• Pay attention to conditions. Wind, cloud cover, water temperature and changing water levels can all influence fish behavior. Take a moment to observe what’s happening around you, and be prepared to change your approach accordingly.

The most important thing of all: be patient and don’t be afraid to experiment! Change one thing at a time and see what works for you. And, remember that even if you don’t catch anything, every fishing trip is an opportunity for a learning experience and a chance to sharpen your skills.

When that bite comes, don’t forget what you did to get it. It might be just what you need for a future filled with successful fishing trips.