Fishing Line for July 17, 2025

CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Emilee Romero caught four fish, including these two 20-inch rainbow trout, trolling Panther Martin spinners behind a boat at Storrie Lake on July 11.

Jason Jackson caught two catfish using hot dogs at Bluewater Lake on July 12.

Eric Ockerhausen caught two catfish using Joe’s Flies and a Panther Martin spinner at Bill Evans Lake on July 9.

Kaia Rivera, 7, from Laguna caught an 18-inch catfish using chicken liver at Grindstone Reservoir on July 13. It was a successful day of fishing, as the family caught a total of six catfish and nine trout.

If you have a catch of the week story, send it to funfishingnm@gmail.com.

NOTES FROM GAME & FISH

Northeast fishing report

Fishing for trout at Charette Lakes was good using silver and gold spinners, gold-and-black Panther Martin spinners and Rainbow PowerBait.

Water levels are extremely low on the Cimarron River. Streamflow near Cimarron on Wednesday morning was 3.33 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Fishing for trout at Clayton Lake was slow using PowerBait and lures.

The most recent report for Conchas Lake was received July 10. At that time, fishing for white bass was slow to fair using jerkbaits. Fishing for walleye was fair to good using purple crankbaits.

Fishing for trout at Cowles Ponds was slow to fair using Peach PowerBait.

The most recent report for Coyote Creek was received June 26. At that time, fishing for trout was very good using Panther Martin spinners.

The most recent report for Eagle Nest Lake was received July 10. At that time, fishing for rainbow trout was fair to good using Yellow PowerBait. For updated lake conditions and potential hazards, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

Gallinas River was recently stocked for the first time since the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.

Fishing for trout at Hopewell Lake was very good using golf Panther Martin spinners and PowerBait Mouse Tails.

The most recent report for Los Pinos River was received June 26. At that time, fishing for rainbow trout was fair to good using spinners.

Fishing for trout at Monastery Lake was good using Cheese PowerBait. The lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property.

The most recent report for Morphy Lake was received June 26. At that time, fishing for trout was very good using PowerBait.

Streamflow on the Pecos River near Pecos on Wednesday morning was 61.8 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good using salmon eggs.

Streamflow on the Red River below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 41.2 cfs.

Fishing for trout at Red River City Ponds was good using Pink PowerBait.

The most recent report for Red River Hatchery was received July 10. At that time, fishing for rainbow trout was good using PowerBait Honey Worms.

The most recent report for Rio Fernando was received July 10. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good using salmon eggs.

Streamflow on the Rio Grande below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 247 cfs. The most recent report was received June 26. At that time, fishing for rainbow trout was fair to good using Glitter Green Garlic PowerBait and red Rooster Tail spinners.

Streamflow on the Rio Hondo near Valdez on Wednesday morning was 14.9 cfs. Fishing for trout was slow using flies.

Streamflow on the Rio Mora near Terrero on Wednesday morning was 19.2 cfs.

Streamflow on the Rio Pueblo near Peñasco on Wednesday morning was 18.1 cfs.

The most recent report for Santa Cruz Reservoir was received June 26. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good using Olive Pistol Petes.

Fishing for trout at Storrie Lake was good using Panther Martin spinners.

Fishing for walleye at Ute Lake was good using minnows.

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Cabresto Lake, Costilla Creek, Eagle Rock Lake, Lake Alice, Lake Maloya, Maxwell Lake 13, Shuree Ponds, Springer Lake and Stubblefield Lake.

Northwest fishing report

The most recent report for Abiquiú Lake was received June 19. At that time, fishing for walleye, bass and crappie was good using chartreuse curly-tail grubs on white jig heads, small white rubber worms and white-and-chartreuse rubber worms. Contact the Abiquiú Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371 for updated lake conditions and closure information.

Fishing for carp at the Albuquerque Area Drains was slow to fair using yellow foam hoppers. Fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good using topwater lures.

Streamflow on the Animas River below Aztec on Wednesday morning was 201 cfs.

Fishing for catfish at Bluewater Lake was very good using shrimp and slow to fair using hot dogs. As of July 3, fishing for tiger muskie was good using spinnerbaits. Visit Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpage or call 505-876-2391 for more information.

The most recent report for Canjilon Lakes was received July 3. At that time, fishing for trout was very good using chubby Chernobyl dry flies.

Fishing for northern pike at Cochiti Lake was slow to fair using weedless jigs.

El Vado Lake is open to boating and angling with a primitive boat ramp available at the Dam Day Use Area, as well as the main (concrete) boat ramp and courtesy dock at El Vado Lake State Park. For more information, visit El Vado Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-588-7247.

Fishing for trout at Fenton Lake was slow to fair using worms, mealworms and PowerBait. Visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-829-3630 for updates.

At the Jemez Waters, streamflow near Jemez on Wednesday morning was 6.51 cfs. The most recent report was received July 3. At that time, fishing for trout was very good using PowerBait on the Jemez River.

The most recent report at Navajo Lake was received June 26. At that time, fishing for northern pike was fair to good using crankbaits.

Streamflow on the Rio Chama below El Vado Lake on Wednesday morning was 103 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiú Lake on Wednesday morning was 117 cfs. 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 only two trout.

Streamflow on the Rio Grande at Albuquerque on Wednesday morning was less than 1 cfs. Fishing for catfish was good using blood-soaked hot dogs.

Streamflow on the San Juan River near Archuleta on Wednesday morning was 750 cfs. Fishing for brown trout was fair to good using No. 6 fluorescent green Panther Martin spinners in the bait section.

The most recent report for the Seven Springs Kids’ Pond was received July 10. At that time, fishing for trout was very good using worms. If you catch a native Rio Grande chub in the Kid’s Pond, please do not leave it on the bank; return it to the water where it can survive as part of our native ecosystem.

The most recent report for Tingley Beach was received July 10. At that time, fishing for trout was slow using Texas-rigged Senkos. Fishing for catfish was slow using shrimp, chicken liver, hot dogs and bluegill.

The most recent report for Trout Lakes was received July 10. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good using Original and Garlic PowerBait.

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Brazos River, Grants Riverwalk Pond, Heron Lake, Jackson Lake, Laguna del Campo, Lake Farmington, Liam Knight Pond, McGaffey Lake, Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Pond #1), San Gregorio Lake and Tiger Park Reservoir.

Southwest fishing report

Bear Canyon Lake is currently closed due to the Trout Fire. For more information, visit the official Trout Fire page on InciWeb.

Fishing for catfish at Bill Evans Lake was slow to fair using Joe’s Flies and Panther Martin spinners.

The most recent report for Caballo Lake was received July 10. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow to fair using worms and shrimp.

Fishing for white bass at Elephant Butte Lake was very good using white swimbaits.

The most recent report for Escondida Lake was received July 3. At that time, fishing for catfish and bluegill was good using worms with bobbers.

Streamflow on the Gila River near Gila on Wednesday morning was 17.4 cfs. The most recent report was received July 10. At that time, fishing for trout was good using Kebari flies.

Streamflow at the Gila Waters near Gila Hot Springs on Wednesday morning was 25.4 cfs.

The most recent report for Glenwood Pond was received July 10. At that time, fishing for trout was very good using spinnerbaits.

The most recent report for Quemado Lake was received June 26. At that time, fishing for trout was good using worms.

Streamflow on the Rio Grande below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 537 cfs.

The most recent report for Snow Lake was received June 26. At that time, fly fishing for trout was slow. Anglers have reported low water and muddy conditions, as well as road construction that has made access challenging.

The most recent report for Trees Lake was received July 3. At that time, fishing for catfish was very good using nightcrawlers with a clear bobber.

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Lake Roberts, Percha Dam, Rancho Grande Ponds and Young Pond.

Southeast fishing report

The most recent report for Alto Lake was received July 3. At that time, anglers reported successful fishing for catfish using live nightcrawlers.

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

Streamflow on the Black River at Malaga on Wednesday morning was 2.24 cfs.

The most recent report for Bonito Lake was received July 10. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good using Rainbow PowerBait, PowerBait Worms and gold spinners. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.

Fishing for largemouth bass at Carlsbad Municipal Lake was fair to good using finesse worms.

Fishing for catfish at Chaparral Park Lake was good using cut chicken breasts covered in Kool-Aid.

Fishing for trout and perch at Estancia Park Lake was fair to good and fishing for largemouth bass was slow using worms.

Fishing for catfish at Grindstone Reservoir was good using chicken liver and slow to fair using hot dogs. Grindstone Reservoir is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildlife impact closures, please see the Grindstone Reservoir Webpage before planning a visit.

Fishing for catfish at Lake Van was slow using worms.

Streamflow on the Pecos River below Sumner Lake on Wednesday morning was 120 cfs.

Streamflow on the Rio Ruidoso at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 12.4 cfs. Fishing conditions will be adversely affected for an extended period of time due to recent flooding in the area.

The most recent report for Santa Rosa Lake was received June 26. At that time, fishing for walleye was good using white curly-tailed grubs.

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Bataan Lake, Blue Hole Park Pond, Bosque Redondo Lake, Bottomless Lakes, Brantley Lake, Corona Pond, Dennis Chavez Pond, Eunice Lake, Green Meadow Lake, Greene Acres Lake, Harry McAdams Park Pond, Jal Lake, Ned Houk Ponds, Oasis Park Lake, Perch Lake, Rio Bonito, Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond, Spring River Pond, Sumner Lake and Timberon Ponds.