New Mexico Fishing Report: Trout Biting Across the State as Fall Fishing Continues

November 5, 2026

Fall fishing is underway across New Mexico, and anglers are finding opportunities to catch trout and catfish in lakes, rivers, and ponds throughout the state.

According to the New Mexico Department of Wildlife’s November 5 fishing report, several popular fishing destinations are reporting good to excellent conditions, although some waterways remain affected by flooding, low water levels, and harmful algae advisories.

Northern New Mexico Fishing Highlights

At Fenton Lake, trout fishing has been particularly productive. Anglers reported good results using nightcrawlers and brown-pattern Panther Martin lures, while fly fishing was rated very good.

At Charette Lake, trout fishing was also very good using flies. George Benavidez of the Bear Canyon Senior Center Fishing Club enjoyed a successful outing on October 29.

Monastery Lake reported very good trout fishing using Garlic PowerBait in its most recent update on October 22.

Along the Rio Grande, rainbow trout fishing was rated fair to good using olive streamer flies. Meanwhile, anglers at Rio Cebolla reported very good results using foam ant flies.

Fishing along the Rio Chama below Abiquiú Lake was good using flies. Anglers are reminded that a designated seven-mile stretch upstream from the U.S. Highway 84 river crossing has special trout regulations limiting catches to two trout.

Fishing Conditions Around the State

In northwestern New Mexico, Canjilon Lakes reported very good trout fishing using flies, while Seven Springs Kids’ Pond saw good trout fishing with worms.

At Albuquerque’s Tingley Beach, catfish fishing was fair to good using homemade bait. One young angler, Luis G., celebrated catching his first fish, a catfish, on October 26.

In southwestern New Mexico, Lake Roberts reported good trout fishing using PowerBait, cheese, and red eggs. Catfish fishing was fair to good, with Danny Portillo reporting a successful outing on October 27.

At Bill Evans Lake, catfish fishing was slow to fair, while Oasis Park Lake in southeastern New Mexico reported very good catfish fishing using Premo bait.

Important Lake Advisories and Closures

Anglers should check current conditions before heading out, as several New Mexico lakes remain under harmful algae bloom advisories.

Warning advisories are in effect at Charette Lake, Eagle Nest Lake, Bluewater Lake, El Vado Lake, and Quemado Lake.

A harmful algae bloom watch is also in effect along a section of the Rio Grande between the John Dunn Bridge and the Orilla Verde Recreation Area.

Other important updates include the closure of boat ramps at Heron Lake because of extremely low water levels.

Hopewell Lake’s day-use area and campground remain closed until 2027, while recent flooding continues to affect fishing conditions along portions of the Animas and San Juan rivers.

Fishing Licenses and Stocking Information

Anyone planning to fish in New Mexico should make sure they have a valid 2026–2027 fishing license.

Licenses can be purchased online, through authorized vendors, or at New Mexico Department of Wildlife offices.

Anglers can also access the latest fish stocking updates, fishing regulations, and statewide reports through the department’s official website.

For the complete fishing and stocking report, visit:

New Mexico Department of Wildlife – Weekly Fishing Report

Read the November 5 fishing report newsletter:

New Mexico Fishing and Stocking Report – November 5

Whether fishing from the shoreline, casting flies into a mountain stream, or spending an afternoon at a local lake, New Mexico continues to offer plenty of opportunities for anglers this fall.