Fishing Line for Oct. 9, 2025

CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Molly Bullard, 11, caught a monster catfish, along with four others, using roast beef at Harris Pond on Oct. 4.

Natalia, 12, was fishing at At Hopewell Lake with her 14-year-old twin cousins on their first fishing trip Oct. 4. She caught her limit of trout within half an hour, with her largest fish measuring 18 inches. One of her cousins, Elier, had the largest catch of the day, reeling in a 19-incher using Yellow PowerBait and worms.

Patrick Goldbogen, 9, of Santa Fe, reeled in a 17-inch, 1.94-pound rainbow trout at Monastery Lake on Sept. 21. He has only been fishing for a month, but has already learned how to clean fish and has become “hooked for life.”

Sharon Long caught six rainbow trout on the Red River using salmon eggs and a variety of Panther Martins on Oct. 6.

David Keith caught these two rainbow trout on the Rio Grande using a hopper dropper rig on Oct. 2.

Seth Hardy caught and released several trout, including this 18-inch rainbow, on the Rio Grande using a white streamer fly on Oct. 2.

Khalil L. Rodriguez caught a rainbow trout at Fenton Lake using a Silver Savage Gear spinner on Oct. 7.

Lesa Crispin snagged two kokanee at Navajo Lake on Oct. 2.

Michael Romero caught his first-ever smallmouth bass using a Whopper Plopper at Navajo Lake on Oct. 5.

Anthony caught and released a brown trout on the San Juan River using a lure in the bait section on Sept. 28.

Patrick Barnes caught and released 26 brown trout on the San Juan River using artificial flies in the quality waters on Sept. 19.

Andrew Sauceda and his wife caught their limit of trout at Alto Lake using Green PowerBait on Oct. 4.

Darrell Garza drove home early caught five trout at Grindstone Reservoir within two hours using PowerBait on Sept. 26.

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

NOTES FROM GAME & FISH

Northeast fishing report

The most recent report for Charette Lakes was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for trout was good using silver-and-yellow Panther Martin spinners.

Streamflow on the Cimarron River near Cimarron on Wednesday morning was 12.5 cubic feet per second (cfs).

The most recent report for Cowles Ponds was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for trout was very good using worms.

The most recent report for Eagle Nest Lake was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for rainbow trout was good using Garlic PowerBait and worms. For updated lake conditions and potential hazards, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

Fishing for catfish at Harris Pond was good using roast beef.

Fishing for trout at Hopewell Lake was very good using Yellow PowerBait, PowerBait nuggets and worms.

The most recent report for Lake Maloya was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was very good using Pink Lemonade PowerBait.

The most recent report for Monastery Lake was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was good using nightcrawlers. 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 Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good using Salmon Peach PowerBait.

Streamflow on the Pecos River near Pecos on Wednesday morning was 52.2 cfs. The most recent report for was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was good using worms.

Streamflow on the Red River below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 32.8 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was fair to very good using salmon eggs and various Panther Martin spinners below the Red River Hatchery.

The most recent report for Red River City Ponds was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was very good using bead head nymphs and homemade dough bait.

Streamflow on the Rio Grande below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 182 cfs. Fishing for trout was good using white streamer flies near Questa and very good using hopper dropper rigs at the Taos Junction Bridge.

Streamflow on the Rio Hondo near Valdez on Wednesday morning was 11.8 cfs. The most recent report for was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair using black and gold Panther Martin spinners.

Streamflow on the Rio Mora near Terrero on Wednesday morning was 21.4 cfs.

Streamflow on the Rio Pueblo near Peñasco on Wednesday morning was 12.1 cfs.

Fishing for white bass at Ute Lake was slow to fair using 3-inch Gulp Minnows on 3/8-ounce jig heads.

The department received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Cabresto Lake, Clayton Lake, Conchas Lake, Coyote Creek, Eagle Rock Lake, Gallinas River, Harris Pond, Lake Alice, Los Pinos River, Maxwell Lake 13, Red River Hatchery, Rio Costilla, Santa Cruz Reservoir, Shuree Ponds, Springer Lake, Storrie Lake and Stubblefield Lake.

Northwest fishing report

The most recent report for Abiquiú Lake was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for brown trout was fair to good using flies. Contact the Abiquiú Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371 for updated lake conditions and closure information.

Streamflow on the Animas River below Aztec on Wednesday morning was 245 cfs.

The most recent report for Bluewater Lake was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for tiger muskie was slow using chartreuse 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 Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for trout was very good using a variety of flies and lures.

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 fair to good using Silver Savage Gear spinners, worms and 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 13.1 cfs. The most recent report for was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was good using midge-pattern dry flies on the San Antonio.

The most recent report for Lagunitas Lakes was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good using black Woolly Buggers and Rooster Tails.

Snagging for kokanee at Navajo Lake was slow to fair.

The most recent report for Rio Cebolla was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good using Adams dry flies below Fenton Lake.

Streamflow on the Rio Chama below El Vado Lake on Wednesday morning was 94.4 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiú Lake on Wednesday morning was 27.7 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 50.9 cfs.

Streamflow on the San Juan River near Archuleta on Wednesday morning was 418 cfs. Fishing for brown trout was slow in the bait section using lures and very good in the quality waters using artificial flies. Fishing for rainbow trout was fair to good using small emerger flies in the quality waters.

The most recent report for Seven Springs Kids’ Pond was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for trout was very good using black Woolly Buggers. 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 Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for bluegill was slow to fair using Siberian Titan Salmon Eggs.

The department received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Albuquerque Area Drains, Brazos River, Cochiti Lake, 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, Tiger Park Reservoir and Trout Lakes.

Southwest fishing report

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

The most recent report for Bill Evans Lake was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for catfish was very good using jerky.

Caballo Lake is now open to motorized boat use and the boat ramp has reopened, as water levels have returned to normal after work to remove excessive debris from the dam’s intake structure. Visit Caballo Lake State Park’s website for more information.

The most recent report for Elephant Butte Lake was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was good using live minnows. Fishing for catfish was good using worms and minnows. Fishing for white bass, walleye, drum and crappie was fair to good using minnows from the bank.

The most recent report for Escondida Lake was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for catfish was very good using chicken livers.

Streamflow on the Gila River near Gila on Wednesday morning was 28.2 cfs.

Streamflow at the Gila Waters near Gila Hot Springs on Wednesday morning was 29.9 cfs.

The most recent report for Quemado Lake was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was very good using Pautzke Fire Balls.

Streamflow on the Rio Grande below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0 cfs. The most recent report for was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for catfish was fair to good using worms in the San Marcial area.

Fishing for bluegill at Young Pond was very good using hot dogs and shrimp.

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

Southeast fishing report

Fishing for trout at Alto Lake was fair to good using Green PowerBait.

The most recent report for Bataan Lake was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow to fair using shrimp.

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

Streamflow on the Black River at Malaga on Wednesday morning was 17.1 cfs.

The most recent report for Bonito Lake was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair using PowerBait. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.

The most recent report for Chaparral Park Lake was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for catfish was fair to good using chicken livers.

The most recent report for Eunice Lake was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good using Megabass and Yozuri jerkbaits.

Fishing for trout was fair to good at Grindstone Reservoir using PowerBait. 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 0.81 cfs. The most recent report for was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow to fair using hot dogs at Pecos River Park in Carlsbad.

Streamflow on the Rio Ruidoso at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 37.5 cfs. Fishing conditions will be adversely affected for an extended period of time due to recent flooding in the area.

The department received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: 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, Green Meadow Lake, Greene Acres Lake, Harry McAdams Park Pond, Jal Lake, Lake Van, Ned Houk Ponds, Oasis Park Lake, Perch Lake, Rio Bonito, Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond, Santa Rosa Lake, Spring River Pond, Sumner Lake and Timberon Ponds.