This fishing report, provided by the Department of Game and Fish in cooperation with Dustin Berg of www.gounlimited.org (“supporting disabled anglers”), 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.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing adventure, or your catch of the week. 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. Fish weights and measurements are provided by the angler and printed here as received.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST STOCKING REPORT

The 2024-25 license year is here. Get your new Fishing License now!

2023-24 Fishing Licenses are no longer valid. A 2024-25 Fishing License is now required since the new license year began on April 1. The 2024-25 Fishing Rules and Information Booklet (RIB) is available online and in print in English and Spanish.

Check the Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner!

The Department's Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner was created using data from past 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. 

The Department has also developed an interactive Fishing Waters Map with a wealth of information on fishing locations in New Mexico. It displays hundreds of fishing access points with information of fish species available, facilities, accessibility, boat ramps and general regulations.

Check out the webpage to plan your trip now!

Take the Bass and Trout Challenges!

To promote 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 Bass Challenge, the New Mexico Trout Challenge and the Master Angler Challenge. Who knows, you could catch a New Mexico Record Fish.

Catch all the challenge species that are found throughout New Mexico or a New Mexico State Record Fish and receive a certificate and challenge coin for your accomplishment!

Land Management Agency Links

The Department reminds anglers to “know before you go” and to contact land management agencies regarding additional regulations or restrictions on specific properties of interest prior to heading afield.

• Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
• U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
• New Mexico State Lands
• New Mexico State Parks 
• New Mexico Open Gate Properties 
• New Mexico Wildlife Management Areas
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Consult local government websites for information regarding specific city and town fishing access. 

NORTHEAST

NORTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Charette Lake: Kolton and Braylon of Albuquerque caught multiple trout, with the largest measuring 19.5 inches, using spinners on July 28.

Eagle Nest Lake: Kyler, Rylan and Aaron Budagher of Rio Rancho caught 14 trout, with the biggest measuring 16.5 inches, using Garlic and Cheese PowerBait from shore on July 28.

Red River: Gabriella, age 9, of Rio Rancho (above left) caught a 10-inch brown trout using salmon eggs near the Red River Fish Hatchery on July 13. Maribella, age 7, of Rio Rancho (above right) caught a 12-inch rainbow trout using salmon eggs near the Red River Fish Hatchery on July 13.

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Cabresto Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Charette Lakes: Fishing for trout was good when using spinners.

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Monday morning was 38 cubic feet per second (cfs). Fishing for trout was good when using worms, salmon eggs, San Juan Worm flies, yellow Humpy flies and bead-head Hare’s Ear flies. Fishing at the Gravel Pits was good when using worms, salmon eggs, Glitter PowerBait and Woolly Bugger flies.

Clayton Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using spinners.

Conchas Lake: Fishing for bass was fair to good when using green Rapala lures. Fishing for white bass was fair to good when using Gulp minnows. Fishing for walleye was fair when using Gulp minnows. Fishing for crappie was fair when using Gulp minnows.

Costilla Creek: Fishing for trout was good when using size-22 Mayfly flies, orange Stimulator flies, yellow Stimulator flies and dry-fly Hoppers with a nymph dropper fly.

Cowles Ponds: Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait.

Coyote Creek: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing for trout was good when garlic and cheese PowerBait. For updated lake conditions, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

Eagle Rock Lake: Fishing for trout was fair when using salmon eggs and 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 fair to good when using dry flies and olive-green Pistol Pete spinner flies.

Lake Alice: Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using worms and PowerBait. Fishing for perch was slow to fair when using worms.

Lake Maloya: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using worms and PowerBait. Fishing for perch was fair to good when using worms. The ADA dock is open to anglers with priority given to mobility-impaired persons.

Los Pinos River: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using Mayfly Nymph flies, Prince Nymph flies and Hare’s Ear flies.

Maxwell Lake 13: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Monastery Lake: The lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property. 

Morphy Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using Orange PowerBait Mousetails, Yellow Garlic PowerBait, Green Garlic PowerBait, PowerBait Salmon Egg Balls and spinners.

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Monday morning was 144 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using Panther Martin spinners and worms.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Monday morning was 50 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using salmon eggs, Panther Martin spinners and small nymph flies near the hatchery.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Monday morning was 225 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using tungsten bead-head nymph flies and Mepps spinners.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Monday morning was 18 cfs.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Monday morning was 103 cfs.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Monday morning was 12 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using Prince Nymph flies.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Shuree Ponds: Fishing for trout was good when using dry-fly Hoppers with a nymph dropper fly.

Springer Lake: Fishing for pike was fair when using spoons.

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 jigs tipped with nightcrawler worms in 25-35 feet of water, and when using 3-inch Berkley PowerBait Chigger Craws and 4-inch Stick Worms on a wacky-rigged jig head in 8-12 feet of water. Fishing for white bass was fair in 25-35 feet of water. Fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass was fair to good when using 3-inch Berkley PowerBait Chigger Craws and 4-inch Stick Worms on a wacky-rigged jig head in 2-8 feet of water. Fishing for crappie was slow. Fishing for catfish was fair when using nightcrawler worms in shallow water. Fishing for bluegill was good when using worms and small jigs. The main lake’s water surface temperature was in the high-70 F range, and the water was clear. 

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Cochiti Lake: George Torres of Stanley (top left) caught and released a 29-inch pike using a white Flicker Shad lure on July 28. Erick Avila of Santa Fe (above right) caught a 20-inch pike using a white Rapala X-Rap lure on July 28. Sam Loftin of Los Alamos (bottom left) caught a 32-inch pike trolling using a curly-tail grub on July 24.

Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: Arielle Garcia, age 5, of Santa Ana Pueblo (above left) caught her first fish, a 14-inch rainbow trout, using salmon eggs with glitter on July 23. Jazmyne Garcia, age 8, of Santa Ana Pueblo (above right) caught her first fish, a 12-inch rainbow trout, using salmon eggs with glitter on July 23.

Tingley Beach: Millie Mitchell, age 2 ½, caught her first fish, a 16-inch catfish, using nightcrawler worms on July 16.

NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Abiquiu Lake: Fishing for walleye was fair when using jig heads tipped with worms. Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371 for updated lake conditions and closure information.

Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Monday morning was 171 cfs.

Albuquerque Area Drains: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for tiger muskie was fair when using Whopper Plopper lures. Fishing for trout was fair when using worms and corn.

Brazos River: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Canjilon Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Cochiti Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass was fair when using worms and minnows. Fishing for white bass was fair to good when using Rapala X-Rap lures and pink Roostertail spinners. Fishing for pike was fair to good when using white Flicker Shad lures, white Rapala X-Rap lures, curly-tail grubs, lipless white crankbaits, and spoons. Fishing for crappie was fair when using minnows and curly-tail grubs. Fishing for catfish was slow.

El Vado Lake: Closed due to dam construction project. For more information, visit El Vado Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-588-7247.

Fenton Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week. For updated lake conditions and potential closure information, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-829-3630.

Grants Riverwalk Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Heron Lake: Fishing for carp was good when using fake corn.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Monday morning was 16 cfs. Fishing streams on the Valles Caldera was fair to good when using hopper flies. Fishing the East Fork was very good when using spinners, Copper John flies, Pheasant-Tail Nymph flies, Prince Nymph flies and Caddis Stimulator dry flies.

Laguna del Campo: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Lagunitas Lakes: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using flies, salmon eggs and PowerBait.

Lake Farmington: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Liam Knight Pond: Fishing for catfish was fair when using worms and stink bait. Fishing for bluegill was good when using worms.

McGaffey Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Navajo Lake: Fishing for kokanee salmon was fair to good when using spinners tipped with corn 70 feet deep. Fishing for pike was fair to good when using chartreuse swimbaits. Fishing for bass was fair to good when using 3-inch watermelon with red-flake plastic worms.

Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Monday morning was 486 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Tuesday morning was 279 cfs. 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 only two trout.

Rio Grande: Fishing for catfish was 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 Tuesday morning was 699 cfs. Fishing for trout in the quality waters was good when using size-22, chocolate midge pupae flies and large hair jigs.

Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using salmon eggs with glitter. Rio Grande chub are native fish to the Jemez River drainage and can be found in the Seven Springs Kids’ Ponds. Anglers often mistake these fish for an invasive species and leave them on the banks to die. If you catch a Rio Grande chub, please do not leave it on the bank; return it to the water where it can survive as part of our native ecosystem.

Tiger Park Reservoir: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Tingley Beach: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using nightcrawler worms.

Trout Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week. 

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Elephant Butte Lake: Dylan Moody, age 19, of El Paso, Texas (above left), caught a 25-inch striper using a white slab spoon on July 24. Marilyn Holden of Los Lunas (above right) caught a 16-inch, 2-pound white bass using a size-7, pink Flicker Shad lure on July 23.

Sapillo Creek: Gavyn Miller, age 9, of Albuquerque caught a Gila trout using a nymph fly in the Gila National Forest on July 20.

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Alumni Pond: Closed for repairs until further notice.

Bear Canyon Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for bass was fair to good when using spinnerbaits.

Caballo Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for bass was good when using drop-shot rigs, and red-and-white Bomber lures. Fishing for white bass was good when using pink Flicker Shad lures and vertical-jigging Kastmaster lures. Fishing for walleye was good when using chartreuse grubs and silver spinners. Fishing for striped bass was fair when using white slab spoons and silver Kastmaster lures. Fishing for catfish was good when using shrimp.

Escondida Lake: Fishing for catfish was good when using chicken liver.

Estancia Park Lake: Fishing for bass was fair to good when using Whopper Plopper lures and soft-plastic, pink worms.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Monday morning was 83 cfs.

Glenwood Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Lake Roberts: Fishing for catfish was good when using hot dogs and stink bait.

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 on Tuesday morning was 2,360 cfs. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using worms and chicken liver.

Snow Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Trees Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Young Pond: Fishing for catfish was fair when using chicken and nightcrawler worms. 

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Bataan Lake: Troy Mata caught a 24-inch catfish using worms on July 27.

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Alto Lake: Alto Lake is closed indefinitely due to extensive damages caused by the South Fork Fire. The wildfire has left significant impacts on the natural environment and infrastructure surrounding the lake, necessitating immediate and prolonged closure for safety and restoration efforts. Please visit https://www.ruidoso-nm.gov/ for the most current information. 

Bataan Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using worms.

Berrendo Creek: 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: The lake remains closed due to wildfire impacts. Visit https://www.nmfireinfo.com for the latest information.

Bosque Redondo Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using worms.

Bottomless Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Brantley Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair when using nightcrawler worms.

Chaparral Park Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Corona Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Dennis Chavez Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Eunice Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Green Meadow Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Greene Acres Lake: Fishing for catfish was good when using cut bait.

Grindstone Reservoir: Evacuation orders in the Ruidoso area have been lifted, but please continue to exercise caution.

Harry McAdams Park Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Jal Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Lake Van: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Ned Houk Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Oasis Park Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Monday morning was 100 cfs. Fishing for catfish was good when using chicken breasts and hot dogs.

Perch Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Rio Bonito: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood Tuesday morning was not reported. The area has been experiencing heavy flooding because of recent fire activity in conjunction with heavy rains.

Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Santa Rosa Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using worms.

Spring River Pond: Fishing for catfish was good when using shrimp bait.

Sumner Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Timberon Ponds: Fishing for all species was slow. 

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

Elephant Butte Fishing is Good...Right Now! 

Tony Falcon Jr. with a 5-pound, 9-ounce bass he caught on July 20.

Team Falcon is at it again!

On July 20 at Elephant Butte Lake, Tony Falcon and his son were finesse fishing some main lake points using a drop-shot rig in 30 feet of water. They had the rig loaded with an Old Trapper snack stick and, well, the rest is history. A big 5-pound, 9-ounce largemouth bass could not resist the salt-and-pepper aroma coming from the snack stick and loaded up. The hook was barely hanging on by the lip. Luckily, with a little help from the net man, Tony and son were able to boat this nice bass. After a little CPR (catch, picture, release), they were off to find another!

As far as other species, they were targeting bass and walleye for that day. We caught four limits of largemouth bass that day between the four of them – mostly short fish with a few exceptions. Tony has been fishing the butte for a few years now and the largemouth population and quality have slowly been on the rise. He believes the continued restocking effort put forth by Game and Fish has been very instrumental in the bass population continuing to rise. 

Ernest Lucero from Truth or Consequences with a mixed bag of walleye and white bass caught fishing with Captain Dave on July 29.

Meanwhile, Captain Dave has been having good success catching walleye and white bass at Elephant Butte Lake recently as well. He said most of the walleye he has been catching have come from the north end of the lake. He is looking for rock and gravel banks and fishing in about 6-8 feet of water, using curly-tail jigs tipped with nightcrawler worms and shad-pattern crankbaits bouncing off the bottom.

Dave said that white bass fishing has been pretty good and that fish are mostly located in the middle portion of the lake, in regards to the north-south orientation of the lake. The best method he is using currently to catch white bass has been vertical jigging. He looks for a couple of gulls floating on the water’s surface. He says that indicates that there is a school of fish below the birds about 20 feet deep.

He positions himself where the birds are located and fishes directly below the boat about 20 feet using jigs. He has had some fish “boiling” on the surface and has caught some fish from those schools using top-water and shallow diving lures. The bigger white bass have consistently been deeper than the small fish. As the year progresses, Dave says that the fish will slowly move towards the dam. 

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!