Weekly Fishing & Stocking Report
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This fishing report, provided by Dustin Berg and Go Unlimited (supporting disabled anglers) and the Department of Game and Fish, has been generated from the best information available from area officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.
Friday 9-02-2022
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Catch of the Week
Brantley Lake: Matt Arreola of Hobbs caught a 32-inch, 4.8-pound longnose gar using cut bait Sept. 3.
Eagle Nest Lake: Liam Humphreys, age 12, of Albuquerque caught a 20-inch rainbow trout using PowerBait Sept. 10. Gilbert Maes and Anthony Maes of Las Vegas caught a 24-inch rainbow trout using chartreuse PowerBait Sept. 3. Johnny Serna, age 8, of Los Lunas caught a 24-inch, 5.5-pound rainbow trout using PowerBait Sept. 3.
Fenton Lake: Brandon Andrew, age 19, of Albuquerque caught a 19-inch rainbow trout using a pheasant-tail nymph fly Sept. 5. Michael Chacon of Rio Rancho caught a 24-inch rainbow trout using worms Sept. 5.
Pecos River: Eric Chavez of Albuquerque caught 42 smallmouth and largemouth bass ranging in size from 9-19 inches using a 3-inch paddle-tail swimbait near Santa Rosa Sept. 11.
San Juan River: Joe Quintana, age 75, of Grants caught an 18-inch brown trout and a 12-inch rainbow trout using worms below the quality waters on Sept. 10.
Tingley Beach: Matthew Tapia, age 12, of Albuquerque caught a 25.5-inch catfish using catfish bait in the kids pond Sept. 3.
Ute Lake: Baily Doroshenko of Edgewood caught a 4-pound largemouth bass using a minnow Sept. 4. Tucker McClelland, age 9, of Tucumcari caught a 21-inch, 2.75-pound walleye using live minnows while fishing at night Sept. 2.
If you have a catch of the week story or just want to tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing experience, send it to us at funfishingnm@gmail.com. We may include your story in our next report. For catches of the week, include name, age, hometown, date, location, type of fish, length and weight if possible, and bait, lure or fly used.
New Mexico Bass & Trout Challenge
To promote bass and trout fishing opportunities in New Mexico and encourage anglers to branch out and discover new fishing waters and species, anglers can participate in the New Mexico Trout Challenge and the New Mexico Bass Challenge. Catch all the challenge species that are found throughout New Mexico to receive your certificate and challenge coin.
Archive Links
Recent Weekly Fishing Reports:
Aug 23 | Aug 16 | Aug 09 | Aug 02 | Jul 26 | Jul 19 |
Jul 12 | Jul 5 | Jun 28 | Jun 21 |
Catch of the Week (archive images)
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Weekly Stocking Reports
Fishing Conditions & Trip Planner
The Department’s new Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner was created using data from the 2016 to 2019 Weekly Fishing Reports to develop graphs depicting fishing conditions for several species and waterbodies throughout the year. Each graph represents the average fishing conditions for each week of the year over the four-year period. 
Check out the new webpage to plan your trip now!
Lake Levels & Streamflow
Lake levels for the latest water storage reports for New Mexico reservoirs (USDA website).
River and streamflow for New Mexico provided by USGS.
Fishing Publications
NMDGF Fisheries Management Plan 2022
Angler Satisfaction Survey 2021
Angler Satisfaction Survey 2020
Angler Satisfaction Survey 2019
See more NMDGF Publications including New Mexico Wildlife magazine http://magazine.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Record Fish Information
New Mexico record game fish:
Coldwater (pg 12)| Warmwater (pg 22)
Fish Donation Certificate
Use the following if you give fish, game meat, or parts of game animals to an individual: Possession Certificate.
Northeast
Cabresto Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Charette Lakes: Fishing for trout was good when using corn and salmon, peach PowerBait.
Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Monday morning was 39 cubic feet per second (cfs). Fishing for trout was good when using attractor dry flies with a zebra midge dropper fly.
Clayton Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Conchas Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
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 the 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 FR 1950 downstream to its confluence with Rio Costilla and all tributaries). Tentative stocking of Rio Grande cutthroat trout is set for spring 2023.
Cowles Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Coyote Creek: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing for rainbow trout was good when using chartreuse PowerBait, Pistol Pete spinner flies and nightcrawler worms.
Eagle Rock Lake: Fishing for trout was fair when using pink PowerBait.
Gallinas River: National forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at (505) 438-5300 for the latest closure information.
Hopewell Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using green Pistol Pete spinner flies with a water-filled bobber.
Lake Alice: Fishing for catfish was fair when using nightcrawler worms.
Lake Maloya: Fishing for trout was good when using submersible bobbers with weights and garlic-scented bait.
Los Pinos River: Fishing for trout was fair when using Panther Martin spinners and nymph flies.
Maxwell Lake 13: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Monastery Lake: The lake will remain closed until further notice. For more information, visit the Open Gate webpage.
Morphy Lake: State park closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit Morphy Lake State Park’s webpage or call (575) 387-2328 for the latest closure information.
Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Monday morning was 105 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair when using worms.
Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery Monday morning was 67 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using salmon eggs, PowerBait and Panther Martin spinners.
Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge Monday morning was 316 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair when using San Juan worm flies, crane flies and prince nymph flies.
Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Monday morning was 35 cfs.
Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Monday morning was 48 cfs.
Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Penasco Monday morning was 27 cfs.
Santa Cruz Reservoir: Fishing for trout was good when using chartreuse PowerBait.
Shuree Ponds: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using caddis dry flies and beadhead nymph flies.
Springer Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Storrie Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Stubblefield Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Ute Lake: Fishing for walleye was fair when using live minnows, vertical jigging spoons and blade baits for suspended fish in 25-30 feet of water. Fishing for white bass was good when using slab spoons and blade baits in 20-35 feet of water. Fishing for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass was fair when using drop-shot rigs and topwater lures. Fishing for crappie was slow. Fishing for catfish was fair when using punch bait and cut bait. The main lake water surface temperature was in the mid 70 F range and the water clarity was clear.
Northwest
Abiquiu Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass was fair to good when using crankbaits and soft plastic crawdad lures.
Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Monday morning was 137 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using dry flies.
Albuquerque Area Drains: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Bluewater Lake: Fishing for tiger muskie was fair to good when using Whopper Plopper lures and homemade streamer flies.
Brazos River: Fishing for trout was good when using hopper dry flies and black and gold Panther Martin spinners.
Canjilon Lakes: Fishing for trout was good when using worms, Pistol Pete spinner flies and orange PowerBait.
Cochiti Lake: Fishing for bass was fair to good when using twin tail chartreuse curly tail grubs. Fishing for catfish was good when using beef liver.
El Vado Lake: El Vado Lake can be accessed at Hargroves Day Use Area off State Road 322 and the Main Park area off State Road 112. The Rio Chama 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 El Vado Lake State Park’s webpage or call (575) 588-7247.
Fenton Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using pheasant tail beadhead nymph flies, Pistol Pete spinner flies and worms.
Grants Riverwalk Pond: The pond has dried up due to pump failure. The city is planning to repair the pumps but is taking this opportunity to dredge the pond. They expect the pond to be offline for at least two to three months. Fish stockings will be discontinued until all work is done.
Heron Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Monday morning was 30 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using worms.
Laguna del Campo: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Lagunitas Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Lake Farmington: Fishing for bass was fair when using plastic worms.
McGaffey Lake: Stocking efforts have been suspended due to extremely low water levels and unstable ground conditions. Lake conditions will be monitored and stocking will resume once conditions improve.
Navajo Lake: Fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass was fair to good when using Buck Perry spoonplugs, plastic worms, Ned Rigs and 3/8-ounce black and blue Strike King football jigs with a black and blue Rage Menace trailer in 5-20 feet of water. Fishing for pike was fair to good when trolling using Buck Perry spoonplugs. Fishing for kokanee salmon was slow to fair when using pink and orange spinners tipped with corn.
Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake and below Abiquiu Lake Monday morning was 617 cfs and 127 cfs, respectively. Fishing for trout below El Vado Lake was good when using beadhead nymph flies and worms. Fishing for trout below Abiquiu Lake was fair when using Wooly Bugger flies. Please remember, from the river-crossing bridge on U.S. Highway 84 at Abiquiu upstream 7 miles to the base of Abiquiu Dam is special trout waters with a bag limit of two trout only.
Rio Grande: Fishing for catfish near Albuquerque was fair to good when using shrimp.
Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Pond #1): We had no reports from anglers this week.
San Gregorio Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Monday morning was 917 cfs. Fishing for trout in the quality waters was fair to good when using white foam wing emerger flies, green scud flies, San Juan worm flies and egg pattern flies. Fishing for trout in the bait waters was fair to good when using worms.
Seven Springs Brood Pond: Fishing for trout was good when using rainbow and yellow PowerBait.
Tiger Park Reservoir: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Tingley Beach: Fishing for catfish was fair when using catfish bait.
Trout Lakes: Fishing for trout was good when using pink PowerBait, corn and salmon eggs.
Southwest
Alumni Pond: Fishing for bass was fair to good when using perch pattern crankbaits. Fishing for catfish was good when using carp and bluegill cut bait, hot dogs, worms and dead shad.
Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing for all species was slow.
Bill Evans Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Caballo Lake: Fishing for crappie was fair when using live white grubs. Fishing for bass was slow to fair when using crankbaits. Fishing for walleye was good when using small, red, deep-diving crankbaits. Fishing for white bass was fair when using small crankbaits. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using cut bait.
Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for catfish was good when using live minnows and cut carp bait. Fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass was slow to fair when using topwater flies, Whopper Plopper lures and shad-pattern crankbaits. Fishing for white bass was good when using white crankbaits and Sassy Shad. Fishing for crappie was slow to fair when using Sassy Shad and live minnows. Fishing for walleye was slow. Fishing for drum was fair when using crankbaits. Fishing for striped bass was fair when using white crankbaits.
Escondida Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Monday morning was 88 cfs. Fishing for catfish was fair when using cut bait.
Glenwood Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Lake Roberts: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Percha Dam: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Quemado Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Rancho Grande Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam Monday morning was 0 cfs. Snow Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Trees Lake: Fishing for bass was fair when using nightcrawler worms.
Young Pond: Fishing for all species was slow.
Southeast
Alto Lake: Fishing for bass was fair to good when using live worms.
Bataan Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair when using shrimp, worms and chicken liver.
Berrendo Creek: We had no reports from anglers this week. Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on this property.
Black River: Streamflow at Malaga Monday morning was 5 cfs.
Blue Hole Park Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Bonito Lake: Closed until further notice by the City of Alamogordo due to fire damage.
Bosque Redondo Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Bottomless Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Brantley Lake: Fishing for longnose gar was fair when using cut bait. Fishing for catfish was fair when using cut bait.
Carlsbad Municipal Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair when using worms.
Chaparral Park Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Corona Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Eunice Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using lipless crankbaits.
Green Meadow Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Greene Acres Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Grindstone Reservoir: Fishing for trout was fair when using PowerBait.
Jal Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Lake Van: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Oasis Park Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair when using nightcrawler worms.
Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Monday morning was 100 cfs. Fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass was good when using 3-inch paddle-tail swimbaits.
Perch Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using nightcrawler worms and stink bait.
Rio Bonito: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood Monday morning was 5 cfs.
Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Santa Rosa Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Sumner Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Timberon Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Tips and Tricks
Bluewater Lake tiger muskie fishing
By Nick Campos
I wanted to take the opportunity to share the experiences my dad and I had at Bluewater Lake this summer. We have spent a lot of time on this amazing lake over the past 15 years, and have recently noticed dead tiger muskie along the shoreline, leaving us concerned and curious as to why. Tiger muskies are just as any other sportfish, deserving of the utmost respect.
Here are some tips for how to properly catch and release these gentle giants:
- Have a large fish net.
- Don’t be afraid to get in the water with the fish. They need to remain in the water and only brought out for a brief moment to capture a picture.
- When finally releasing the fish, be sure they have fully recovered and allow them to swim out of your grip.
- Have fun! Catching or not catching, being out on the water enjoying the peace and beauty of nature is always a trophy.
Let us know how your fishing trip goes! Share your tips and tricks with your fellow anglers by emailing us at funfishingnm@gmail.com and let’s help the next generation of anglers find success.
Thanks for reading and supporting our angling community!
