Fishing Line for Sept. 4, 2025

CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Valerie Cordova, Yvonne Gallegos and Tina Cordova “killed it” during their trip to Hopewell Lake on Aug. 30. Valerie caught a 20-inch trout, while Yvonne and Tina each caught 18-inchers using worms.

At the Jemez Waters, Luna, 7, and Bodhi Larragoite, 4, caught six nice rainbow trout ranging from 12-13 inches in length using nightcrawlers on the Rio Cebolla on Sept. 1. It was the first trout Bodhi had caught and eaten.

Genesis Smith caught a largemouth bass at Bill Evans Lake using a 3-ounce white spinner on Sept. 1.

Kale and Declan Ray caught their first albino catfish using chicken liver and hot dogs at Corona Pond on Aug. 28.

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 Cabresto Lake was received Aug. 28. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good using olive beadhead caddis flies.

Streamflow on the Cimarron River near Cimarron on Wednesday morning was 12.5 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 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.

Fishing for trout at Hopewell Lake was slow to fair using worms.

The most recent report for Lake Maloya was received Aug. 28. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good using PowerBait Mice Tails and Pistol Pete flies.

The most recent report for Monastery Lake was received Aug. 28. At that time, fishing for trout 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 this property.

Streamflow on the Pecos River near Pecos on Wednesday morning was 151 cfs. Fishing for trout was very good using PowerBait and good using elk-hair caddis and Adams flies.

Streamflow on the Red River below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 30.6 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout below the hatchery was very good using Nymph Emerger and Prince Nymph flies.

Fishing for rainbow trout at Red River Hatchery was good using salmon eggs and slow to fair using leech-like flies.

Streamflow on the Rio Grande below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 207 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout, brown trout and smallmouth bass was fair to good using red worms.

Streamflow on the Rio Hondo near Valdez on Wednesday morning was 9.73 cfs.

Streamflow on the Rio Mora near Terrero on Wednesday morning was 64.5 cfs.

The most recent report for Rio Pueblo was received Aug. 28. At that time, fishing for trout was good using worms. Streamflow near Peñasco on Wednesday morning was 14.8 cfs.

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

Fishing for trout at Santa Cruz Reservoir was slow using PowerBait and spinners.

Fishing for trout at Shuree Ponds was slow to fair using leech-like flies from a kayak.

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

Northwest fishing report

The most recent report for Abiquiú Lake was received Aug. 28. At that time, fishing for smallmouth bass 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.

Fishing for trout at Canjilon Lakes was good using dry dropper flies.

Fishing for catfish at Cochiti Lake was slow using 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.

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.

Fishing for smallmouth bass at Heron Lake was slow using gold Blue Fox Vibrax Wildeye Inline Spinners.

At the Jemez Waters, streamflow near the Village of Jemez Springs on Wednesday morning was 17.1 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was good using nightcrawlers on the Cebolla River.

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 below Abiquiú Lake was slow using PowerBait, salmon eggs and nightcrawlers. Fishing for trout below El Vado Lake was good using nightcrawlers. Streamflow below El Vado Lake on Wednesday morning was 99.8 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiú Lake on Wednesday morning was 45.1 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. Fishing for brown trout in the quality waters was very good using nymph flies. Fishing for rainbow trout was good using Foam Emerger flies and San Juan worms.

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

Fishing for largemouth bass at Bill Evans Lake was good using 3-ounce white spinners.

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

Fishing for smallmouth bass at Elephant Butte Lake was good using minnows.

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.

Streamflow on the Gila River near Gila on Wednesday morning was 38.2 cfs.

Streamflow at the Gila Waters near Gila Hot Springs on Wednesday morning was 34.9 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.

Fishing for trout at Quemado Lake was slow to fair using 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 1,100 cfs.

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

Southeast fishing report

The most recent report for Berrendo Creek was received Aug. 28. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good using bacon. Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on this property.

Streamflow on the Black River at Malaga on Wednesday morning was 30.6 cfs.

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

Fishing for catfish at Corona Pond was slow to fair using chicken liver and hot dogs.

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

The most recent report for Greene Acres Lake was received Aug. 28. At that time, fishing for catfish 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 76.7 cfs.

Streamflow on the Rio Ruidoso at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 27.6 cfs. Fishing conditions will be adversely affected for an extended period of time due to recent flooding in the area.

Fishing for largemouth bass at Sumner Lake was good using Texas-rigged Senkos.

The department received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Alto Lake, Bataan Lake, 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, 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, Sumner Lake and Timberon Ponds.