CATCHES OF THE WEEK
Bryan Novotny of Rio Rancho caught a 10-pound, 5-ounce tiger muskie at Bluewater Lake using a 7-inch swimbait April 30.
Gerald Montoya of Alcalde caught a 21-inch, 5-pound rainbow trout at Eagle Nest Lake using garlic PowerBait on May 3.
At Elephant Butte Lake, Nate Sierra of Albuquerque caught a 17-inch, 3-pound smallmouth bass using a ¼-ounce white jig with a 3-inch paddle tail swimbait May 7. … Michelle Martinez of Taos caught six white bass fishing from the bank using a fly rod with a Clouser minnow fly May 2.
Evan Shields of Clovis caught a 4-pound albino catfish and a 6.1-pound channel catfish at Greene Acres Lake using cut bait May 5 and May 6.
AmberRose Bebo, 7, Holly Bebo, 8, and Tustin Bebo, 10, of Farmington caught eight rainbow trout at Lake Farmington using cheese PowerBait on April 28.
On the Rio Grande, Rafael Martinez of Las Cruces caught a 46-pound flathead catfish using cut bait April 30. … Jeremiah Herrera of Gallup caught a 30-inch pike using a chartreuse Panther Martin spinner near Pilar on April 15.
At the Santa Cruz Reservoir, Carlos Dassaro of Santa Fe caught a 19-inch rainbow trout using a small Rapala lure May 1. … Fedelino Chacon of Alcalde caught a 17-inch rainbow trout using garlic PowerBait on May 1.
At Tingley Beach, Levi Weiss, 10, of Albuquerque caught two catfish and one large bluegill using worms in the kids’ pond May 8. … Clarence Padilla and his son Santos Padilla, 3, of Albuquerque caught and released a 3-pound largemouth bass using a wacky rigged red Roboworm on May 4.
If you have a catch of the week story, send it to funfishingnm@gmail.com.
NOTES FROM GAME & FISH
Northeast fishing report
Cabresto Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Charette Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.
Streamflow on the Cimarron River near Cimarron on Monday morning was 26.2 cubic feet per second (cfs).
Fishing for trout at Clayton Lake was good using chartreuse and salmon peach PowerBait. Fishing for walleye was fair to good using chartreuse curly tail grubs and crankbaits.
Fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass at Conchas Lake was fair to good using soft plastic worms and curly tail grubs. Fishing for walleye was fair using green curly tail grubs and orange Rat-L-Trap crankbaits. Fishing for white bass was good using white curly tail grubs and Rat-L-Trap crankbaits. Fishing for crappie was good using small curly tail jigs and live minnows on jig heads.
At Costilla Creek, the department is implementing the final phase of a project to expand Rio Grande cutthroat trout in 120 miles of the Costilla watershed in northern New Mexico. The final phase involves removal of fish within a designated area (Rio Costilla from Costilla Dam downstream to the Valle Vidal Boundary including all tributaries and Comanche Creek from the road culvert crossing on Forest Road 1950 downstream to its confluence with Rio Costilla and all tributaries) with a tentative restocking of Rio Grande cutthroat in spring 2023. Places to fish nearby include Costilla Creek below the fish barrier, Upper Comanche Creek, Shuree Ponds, Middle Ponil Creek, Upper Powderhouse Creek, Little Costilla Creek, Vidal Creek and McCrystal Creek. Please check the department website for additional information on the project and to identify alternative angling opportunities in the interim.
All U.S. Forest Service land in the Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District is currently closed including Cowles Ponds. For more information, visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District office at 505-425-3534.
Coyote Creek State Park is currently closed due to wildfire concerns. For more information, visit the park’s webpage or call 575-387-2328.
Fishing for rainbow trout at Eagle Nest Lake was fair to good using garlic PowerBait, corn and red worms. Fishing for pike was fair using rainbow trout pattern crankbaits.
Eagle Rock Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
All U.S. Forest Service land in the Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District is currently closed including the Gallinas River. For more information, visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District office at 505-425-3534.
Hopewell Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Fishing for trout at Lake Alice was fair to good using corn.
Fishing for trout at Lake Maloya was good using Gulp Worms and pink and brass Kastmaster lures.
Los Pinos River had no reports from anglers this week.
Maxwell Lake 13 had no reports from anglers this week.
Monastery Lake is currently closed due to wildfire concerns. For more information, visit the Open Gate webpage.
Morphy Lake State Park is currently closed due to wildfire concerns. For more information, visit the park’s webpage or call 575-387-2328.
All U.S. Forest Service land in the Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District is currently closed including the Pecos River, as is Pecos Canyon State Park. For more information on the Forest Service closure, visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District office at 505-425-3534. For more information on the Pecos Canyon State Park closure, visit the park’s webpage or call 505-670-8196.
Streamflow on the Red River below the hatchery Monday morning was 96.2 cfs. Fishing for trout was slow using San Juan worms and large heavy nymph flies. The water levels were high, and the river was muddy.
Streamflow on the Rio Grande at the Taos Junction Bridge on Monday morning was 858 cfs. Fishing for trout was slow. Fishing for pike was fair using chartreuse Panther Martin spinners near Pilar. The water levels were high, and the river was muddy.
Streamflow on the Rio Hondo on Monday morning near Valdez was 53.7 cfs.
All U.S. Forest Service land in the Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District is currently closed including the Rio Mora, as is Pecos Canyon State Park. For more information on the Forest Service closure, visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District office at 505-425-3534. For more information on the Pecos Canyon State Park closure, visit the park’s webpage or call 505-670-8196.
Streamflow on the Rio Pueblo near Peñasco on Monday morning was 52.5 cfs.
Fishing for trout at the Santa Cruz Reservoir was good using small Rapala crankbaits and garlic PowerBait.
Shuree Ponds is closed for the season and will reopen in July.
Springer Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
The boat ramp and lake access to all motorized vessels is closed at Storrie Lake. Forest fires in the area are likely to impact the lake. For more information, visit the park’s webpage or call 505-425-7278.
Stubblefield Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Fishing for walleye at Ute Lake was fair to good using live minnows rigged on jig heads or trolling Flicker Shad lures, Model A Bombers and Wally Divers. Fishing for white bass was fair trolling various crankbaits in 14 to 20 feet of water. Fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass was good using spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and wacky rigged worms on shallow main lake gravel points. Fishing for crappie was good using live minnows and Road Runner lures in the upper Canadian arm of the lake. Fishing for catfish was fair using chicken liver and nightcrawler worms. The main lake water surface temperature was in the low to mid 60s and the water clarity was stained.
Northwest fishing report
Abiquiú Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Waterflow on the Animas River below Aztec on Monday morning was 2,600 cfs.
Albuquerque Area Drains had no reports from anglers this week.
Fishing for tiger muskie at Bluewater Lake was slow to fair using large jerkbaits and swimbaits. The water level was low, and anglers reported that launching boats was difficult.
Brazos River had no reports from anglers this week.
Canjilon Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.
Monday-morning flows on the Chama River below El Vado and Abiquiú were 1,630 cfs and 1,790 cfs, respectively. Please remember, from the river-crossing bridge on U.S. Highway 84 at Abiquiú upstream 7 miles to the base of Abiquiú Dam is special trout waters with a bag limit of two trout only.
Due to the Cerro Pelado Fire, Cochiti Lake is closed for fishing and all recreation. For more information, visit the US Army Corps of Engineers website.
El Vado Lake can be accessed at Hargroves Day Use Area off State Road 322 as well as the Main Park area off State Road 112. The Rio Chama River can be accessed at the North El Vado Day Use area on State Road 95, 10 miles west of U.S. Highway 84. Lake levels are steady but expected to drop as crews work on the El Vado Dam. The Dam Day Use Area is closed due to the ongoing construction. State Road 112 over the dam will experience periodic closures. For more information, visit the park’s webpage or call 575-588-7247.
Fenton Lake had no reports from anglers this week. For more information, visit the park’s webpage or call 575-829-3630.
Heron Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
At the Jemez Waters, streamflow on the Jemez River near the village of Jemez Springs on Monday morning was 48.4 cfs. For more information, visit the Jemez Ranger District’s webpage or call 505-438-5300.
Laguna del Campo had no reports from anglers this week.
Lagunitas Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.
Fishing for trout at Lake Farmington was fair to good using cheese PowerBait.
Due to extremely low water levels and unstable ground conditions, stocking efforts have been suspended at McGaffey Lake. Lake conditions will be monitored and stockings will resume once conditions improve.
Fishing for pike at Navajo Lake was fair to good using streamer flies up the San Juan arm of the lake. Fishing for trout was slow to fair using trout pattern lures. Fishing for smallmouth bass was slow using crankbaits and skirt jigs.
Fishing for catfish on the Rio Grande near Albuquerque was fair to good using cut bait.
Fishing for trout at Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Pond #1) was fair to good using PowerBait.
San Gregorio Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Streamflow on the San Juan River on Monday morning was 293 cfs. Fishing for trout in the quality waters was fair to good using zebra midge nymph flies and midge cluster dry flies. Fishing for trout in the bait waters was good using nightcrawler worms.
Seven Springs Brood Pond had no reports from anglers this week.
Fishing for bass at Tingley Beach was fair to good using wacky rigged red Roboworms. Fishing for catfish was good using worms.
Trout Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.
Southwest fishing report
Fishing for all species at Alumni Pond was slow.
Bear Canyon Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Fishing for bass at Bill Evans Lake was slow using swimbaits.
Fishing for crappie at Caballo Lake was fair using live minnows. Fishing for drum was fair using spinnerbaits.
Fishing for catfish at Elephant Butte Lake was good using cut gizzard shad bait. Fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass was good using chartreuse crankbaits, jigs and soft plastic lures. Fishing for white bass was good using Clouser minnow flies, white Bombers, jointed Rapalas and Rat-L-Trap lures. Fishing for crappie was good using small jigs and live minnows. Fishing for walleye was good using garlic nightcrawler worms and curly tail grubs.
Escondida Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Streamflow on the Gila River on Monday morning was 33.4 cfs.
Fishing for trout at Glenwood Pond was fair to good using orange Trout Magnet lures.
Fishing for bass and catfish at Lake Roberts was fair to good using nightcrawler worms.
Percha Dam had no reports from anglers this week.
Fishing for trout at Quemado Lake was slow to fair using silver Panther Martin spinners.
Rancho Grande Ponds had no reports from anglers this week.
Streamflow on the Rio Grande below Elephant Butte on Monday morning was 680 cfs. Fishing for catfish was fair to good using nightcrawler worms and cut bait near the town of Hatch.
Snow Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Fishing for trout at Trees Lake was good using worms, PowerBait and shrimp. Fishing for bass was fair to good using maroon plastic worms rigged with a small spinner in front.
Fishing for all species at Young Pond was slow.
Southeast fishing report
Fishing for trout at Alto Lake was fair using PowerBait.
Bataan Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on Berrendo Creek.
Streamflow on the Black River at Malaga on Monday morning was 3.97 cfs.
Blue Hole Park Pond had no reports from anglers this week.
Bonito Lake is closed until further notice by the city of Alamogordo due to fire damage. It appears that the lake will be out of commission until later this year.
Bosque Redondo Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Bottomless Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.
Brantley Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Carlsbad Municipal Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Chaparral Park Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Corona Pond had no reports from anglers this week.
Eunice Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Fishing for bass at Green Meadow Lake was fair to good using nightcrawler worms.
Fishing for catfish at Greene Acres Lake was fair to good using cut bait.
Fishing for trout at Grindstone Reservoir was fair to good using salmon peach PowerBait.
Jal Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Fishing for trout at Kids’ Pond at Santa Rosa Fish Hatchery was good using PowerBait.
Lake Van had no reports from anglers this week.
Oasis Park Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Streamflow on the Pecos River below Sumner Lake on Monday morning was 109 cfs. Fishing for catfish was fair to good using worms.
Perch Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Streamflow on the Ruidoso River on Monday morning at Hollywood was 4.09 cfs.
Fishing for walleye at Santa Rosa Lake was fair using live minnows. Fishing for bass was fair using live minnows.
Fishing for catfish at Sumner Lake was fair using jigs and worms.
Timberon Ponds had no reports from anglers this week.
