Fishing Line for Aug. 28, 2025

CATCHES OF THE WEEK

April Garcia of Albuquerque completed the New Mexico Trout Challenge by catching this Rio Grande cutthroat trout using an olive beadhead caddis fly at Cabresto Lake on Aug. 15.

Gideon Gallegos, 13, of Jarales caught an 18-inch rainbow trout at Lake Maloya using pink PowerBait Mice Tails on Aug. 22. His line broke just as he landed the fish.

Rob Vigil caught five trout on the Rio Pueblo using worms on Aug. 22.

Gavin Trujillo caught a smallmouth bass at Abiquiú Lake using a wacky-rigged Senko on Aug. 24.

Mariah Mae caught two catfish using liver and nightcrawlers at Greene Acres Lake on Aug. 19.

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 Cabresto Lake was fair to good using olive beadhead caddis flies.

Streamflow on the Cimarron River near Cimarron on Wednesday morning was 23 cubic feet per second (cfs).

The most recent report for Conchas Lake was received Aug. 21. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was very good using poor house curly tails.

The most recent report for Cowles Ponds was received Aug. 7. At that time, fishing for trout was slow using PowerBait.

The most recent report for Eagle Nest Lake was received Aug. 14. At that time, fishing for Kokanee was slow using Kokanee Killers. The New Mexico Environment Department has reported a potentially harmful algae bloom at the lake and the public is advised to take precautions, including keeping pets out of the water and avoiding swimming in the algae bloom. 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 the first time since the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.

The most recent report for Harris Pond was received Aug. 7. At that time, fishing for catfish was good using dough balls.

The most recent report for Hopewell Lake was received Aug. 21. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good using Thomas Buoyant lures.

Fishing for trout at Lake Maloya was fair to good using PowerBait Mice Tails and Pistol Pete flies.

Fishing for trout at Monastery Lake was slow using worms and Pistol Petes. The lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about the property.

Streamflow on the Pecos River near Pecos on Wednesday morning was 206 cfs. The most recent report was received Aug. 14. At that time, fishing for trout was slow using a variety of dry flies.

Streamflow on the Red River below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 46.3 cfs.

Streamflow on the Rio Grande below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 216 cfs.

Streamflow on the Rio Hondo near Valdez on Wednesday morning was 11.3 cfs.

Streamflow on the Rio Mora near Terrero on Wednesday morning was 89 cfs.

Fishing for trout on the Rio Pueblo was good using worms. Streamflow near Peñasco on Wednesday morning was 19.4 cfs.

The most recent report for the Santa Barbara River was received Aug. 14. At that time, fishing for trout was slow using Trout Magnet grubs.

Fishing for trout Shuree Ponds was slow to fair using flies.

The department received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Clayton Lake, Charette Lakes, Costilla Creek, Coyote Creek, Eagle Rock Lake, Lake Alice, Los Pinos River, Maxwell Lake 13, Morphy Lake, Red River City Ponds, Red River Hatchery, Santa Cruz Reservoir, Springer Lake, Storrie Lake, Stubblefield Lake and Ute Lake.

Northwest fishing report

Fishing for smallmouth bass at Abiquiú Lake was slow to fair using wacky-rigged Senkos. Contact the Abiquiú Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371 for updated lake conditions and closure information.

The most recent report for Albuquerque Area Drains was received Aug. 21. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow to fair using chicken breast with Jell-O.

Streamflow on the Animas River below Aztec on Wednesday morning was 53.5 cfs.

The most recent report for Bluewater Lake was received Aug. 21. At that time, fishing for tiger muskie was good using Whopper Ploppers and slow using small, light blue spinners. Visit Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpage or call 505-876-2391 for more information.

The most recent report for Canjilon Lakes was received Aug. 21. At that time, fishing for trout was slow using spoons and Kastmasters, though it was reported that one angler caught a trout using a live grasshopper.

Fishing for carp at Cochiti Lake was slow to fair using green carp candy flies.

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.

The most recent report for Fenton Lake was received Aug. 21. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair using Garlic PowerBait. Visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-829-3630 for updates.

At the Jemez Waters, streamflow near the village of Jemez Springs on Wednesday morning was 18.4 cfs.

The most recent report for Navajo Lake was received Aug. 21. At that time, fishing for northern pike was fair to good using crankbaits.

Fishing for trout on the Rio Chama was very good using red worms and PowerBait below Abiquiú Lake. Streamflow below El Vado Lake on Wednesday morning was 99.8 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiú Lake on Wednesday morning was 70.4 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.

Rio Grande is currently dry through Albuquerque.

Streamflow on the San Juan River near Archuleta on Wednesday morning was 994 cfs. The most recent report for was received Aug. 21. At that time, fishing for brown trout was fair to good using red worms in the bait section and very good using mouse rat flies in the quality waters. Fishing for rainbow trout was slow to fair using red worms and salmon eggs in the bait section.

The most recent report for the Seven Springs Kids’ Pond was received Aug. 21. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to 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 department received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Brazos River, Grants Riverwalk Pond, Heron Lake, Jackson Lake, Laguna del Campo, Lagunitas Lakes, Lake Farmington, Liam Knight Pond, McGaffey Lake, Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Pond #1), San Gregorio Lake, Tiger Park Reservoir, Tingley Beach and Trout Lakes.

Southwest fishing report

Fishing conditions have been adversely affected at Bear Canyon Lake in the aftermath of the Trout Fire.

The boat ramp has been closed and use of motorized boats is prohibited because of low water levels at Caballo Lake. Visit Caballo Lake State Park’s website for more information.

The most recent report for Elephant Butte Lake was received Aug. 14. At that time, fishing for white bass was very good using topwater Whopper Ploppers. Fishing for catfish was slow to fair using blood bait.

The most recent report for Escondida Lake was received Aug. 21. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow to fair using hot dogs with Kool-Aid.

The most recent report for the Gila River was received Aug. 7. At that time, fishing for Gila trout was very good using elk-hair caddis flies near the Catwalk. Streamflow near Gila on Wednesday morning was 33.4 cfs.

At the Gila Waters, streamflow near Gila Hot Springs on Wednesday morning was 39.5 cfs.

The most recent report for Glenwood Pond was received Aug. 21. At that time, fishing for trout was very good using PowerBait.

The most recent report for Percha Dam was received Aug. 21. At that time, fishing for brown trout was fair to good using worms.

The most recent report for Quemado Lake was received Aug. 21. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair using Garlic PowerBait.

The most recent report for Rancho Grande Ponds was received Aug. 14. At that time, fishing for catfish was good using chicken liver and worms.

Streamflow on the Rio Grande below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0.25 cfs.

The most recent report for Young Pond was received Aug. 7. At that time, fishing for bluegill was very good using hot dogs and shrimp.

The department received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Bill Evans Lake, Lake Roberts, Snow Lake and Trees Lake.

Southeast fishing report

The most recent report for Bataan Lake was received Aug. 7. At that time, fishing for catfish was fair to good using special-made bait.

Fishing for catfish at Berrendo Creek was fair to good using bacon. Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on the property.

Streamflow on the Black River at Malaga on Wednesday morning was 23.3 cfs.

Fishing for trout at Bonito Lake was slow to fair using worms and PowerBait. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.

The most recent report for Brantley Lake was received Aug. 7. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was good using nightcrawlers.

The most recent report for Carlsbad Municipal Lake was received Aug. 7. At that time, fishing for catfish was good using nightcrawlers.

The most recent report for Green Meadow Lake was received Aug. 14. At that time, fishing for bass was fair to good using lures.

Fishing for catfish at Greene Acres Lake was fair to good using liver and nightcrawlers.

The most recent report for Grindstone Reservoir was received Aug. 14. At that time, fishing for trout was very good using Rainbow PowerBait and Pistol Pete red tails. Grindstone Reservoir is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildlife impact closures, please see the Grindstone Reservoir Webpage before planning a visit.

The most recent report for Lake Van was received Aug. 14. At that time, fishing for catfish was good using hot dogs.

The most recent report for Oasis Park Lake was received Aug. 14. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow to fair using stink bait.

Streamflow on the Pecos River below Sumner Lake on Wednesday morning was 98 cfs.

Streamflow on the Rio Ruidoso at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 122 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 Sumner Lake was received Aug. 7. At that time, anglers reported good conditions for carp fishing.

The department received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Alto Lake, Blue Hole Park Pond, Bosque Redondo Lake, Bottomless Lakes, Chaparral Park Lake, Corona Pond, Dennis Chavez Pond, Estancia Park Lake, Eunice Lake, Harry McAdams Park Pond, Jal Lake, Ned Houk Ponds, Perch Lake, Rio Bonito, Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond, Santa Rosa Lake, Spring River Pond and Timberon Ponds.