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. Photos containing sensitive material may be altered or excluded at the Department's discretion.

NOTE: There will be fewer reports available during the cooler seasons when fishing slows. The Department will make every effort to provide as much information as possible during the winter months.

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2023-24 Fishing Licenses are no longer valid.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 CATCH OF THE WEEK

Fishing for white bass was fair to good while vertical jigging using jigging spoons and vibrating blade baits in 35-50 feet of water last week at Ute Lake. (Photo courtesy New Mexico State Parks)

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

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

Charette Lakes: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using PowerBait and spinners.

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Monday morning was 25 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Clayton Lake: Fishing for bass was fair to good using crankbait lures.

Conchas Lake: Fishing for bass was fair when using shallow-diving crankbaits.

Costilla Creek: Fishing for trout was good when using Mayfly Flies.

Cowles Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Coyote Creek: Fishing for trout was fair when using small dry flies.

Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing for trout was fair when using various PowerBait. Fishing for pike was fair to good when using large rainbow-trout-pattern spinners. Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait and Wooly Bugger flies. Fishing for perch was slow when using worms. For updated lake conditions, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

Eagle Rock Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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 worms.

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

Lake Maloya: Fishing for trout was good when using Orange PowerBait Marshmallows and salmon eggs. 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: Fishing for trout was good when using Green PowerBait. The lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property. 

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

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Monday morning was 37 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using size-16 Pheasant Warrior Flies, bead-head Caddis Flies, Stone Flies, Squirmy Wormy Flies and salmon eggs.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Monday morning was 42 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using salmon eggs.

Red River Hatchery: Work to replace the water line to the hatchery pond has been completed and stocking has resumed.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Monday morning was 195 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using dry flies, bead-head Caddis Flies, Stone Flies, Squirmy Wormy Flies and yellow Jig Sticker Flies.

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

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Monday morning was 11 cfs.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Monday morning was 9 cfs.

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

Shuree Ponds: Fishing for trout was good when using brown grasshopper-pattern flies and zebra midge 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 bottom-bouncer live minnow-harness rigs and jigging blade baits in 35-40 feet of water. Fishing for white bass was fair to good when vertical jigging using jigging spoons and vibrating blade baits in 35-50 feet of water. Fishing for smallmouth bass was fair to good when using swim jigs and Senko worms. Fishing for crappie was slow. Fishing for catfish was slow. The main lake’s water-surface temperature was in the low 70 F range and the water was stained. 

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

San Juan River: Brian R. Oldham of San Angelo, Texas, caught a 17-inch brown trout using a fly he tied called the Krystal Blob on Oct. 10.

NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Abiquiu Lake: Fishing for walleye was fair to good when using black-feather-tail silver blade spinners and 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 122 cfs.

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

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for tiger muskie was fair when using Rapala lures. Fishing for catfish was fair when using hot dogs.

Brazos River: Fishing for trout was good when using worms.

Canjilon Lakes: Fishing for trout was good when using garlic-scented, natural-colored PowerBait and worms.

Cochiti Lake: Fishing for pike was good when using white glide baits. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using worms.

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: Fishing for trout was fair when using bead-head nymph flies. 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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Monday morning was 8 cfs.

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

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

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

Liam Knight Pond: Fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using worms. Fishing for bass was slow when using worms.

McGaffey Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week. The road to the lake will be closed the morning of Oct. 18, due to a planned missile launch near the Fort Wingate Army Depot.

Navajo Lake: Fishing for kokanee salmon was slow when using spinners tipped with corn. Fishing for kokanee salmon using snagging hooks was slow. Fishing for pike was fair to good when using large streamer flies. Fishing for bass was fair to good when using Mepps spinners.

Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Monday morning was 186 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Tuesday morning was 143 cfs. Fishing for trout below Abiquiu Lake was fair to good when using size 12-16 bead-head Caddis Flies and size 8-12 Stone 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 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 Monday morning was 678 cfs. Fishing for trout in the quality waters was fair when using Krystal Flash flies, size-22 zebra-midge-pattern flies and chocolate midge-emerger flies. Fishing for trout in the bait waters was fair to good when using worms and PowerBait.

Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: Fishing for trout was good when using worms and a bobber. 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.

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

Tingley Beach: Fishing for catfish was fair when using nightcrawler worms and hot dogs.

Trout Lakes: Anglers reported dirty water and poor fishing conditions. 

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Elephant Butte Lake: Rhonda Vincent of Ruidoso caught a 9-pound largemouth bass using a topwater lure on Oct. 10.

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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Caballo Lake: Fishing for walleye was slow to fair when using small jigs. Fishing for crappie was good when using small jigs and grubs.

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for white bass was good when using white jigs and chrome Kastmaster lures. Fishing for walleye was good when using white crankbaits and jigs tipped with worms. Fishing for bass largemouth bass was fair to good when using topwater lures. Fishing for crappie was fair when using live minnows near the Dam Site Marina. Fishing for catfish was good when using white jigs and cut bait.

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

Estancia Park Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair when using chicken liver.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Monday morning was 28 cfs.

Gila Waters: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Lake Roberts: Fishing for trout was good when using nightcrawler worms and Panther Martin spinners. Fishing for bass was fair to good when using Panther Martin spinners. Fishing for crappie was slow to fair when using Panther Martin spinners.

Percha Dam: Fishing for walleye was fair when using chartreuse and white jigs with curly-tail grubs.

Quemado Lake: Fishing for trout was fair when using green or black-and-green Rooster Tail spinners. Fishing for tiger muskie was slow to fair when using red Rooster Tail spinners.

Rancho Grande Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Tuesday morning was 0 cfs. Fishing for catfish was good when using chicken liver and cut bait.

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

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

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

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Fishing for smallmouth bass was fair to good when using chrome-colored shad-pattern crankbaits last week at Sumner Lake. (Photo courtesy New Mexico State Parks)

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Alto Lake: Alto Lake is closed indefinitely due to extensive damage 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 cut bait and worms.

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

Black River: Streamflow at Malaga Monday morning was 6 cfs.

Blue Hole Park Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Bonito Lake: Fish stocking operations have resumed. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using Panther Martin spinners. The lake reopened to fishing only on Aug. 30. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake. Visit https://www.nmfireinfo.com for the latest information.

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 bass was fair when using plastic worms.

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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 fair to good when using nightcrawler worms.

Grindstone Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using worms. Grindstone Lake is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildlife impact closures, please see the Grindstone Lake Webpage before planning a visit.

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: Fishing for bass was fair to good when using plastic Creature Baits.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Monday morning was 99 cfs. Fishing for catfish was good when using chicken breasts and cut bait. Fishing for bass was fair when using nightcrawler worms.

Perch Lake: Fishing for bass was fair when using plastic worms.

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

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood Monday morning was 3 cfs. The area has been experiencing heavy flooding because of recent fires in conjunction with heavy rain.

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

Santa Rosa Lake: The boat ramp is open.

Spring River Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Sumner Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass was fair to good when using chrome-colored shad-pattern crankbaits. Fishing for catfish was fair when using homemade, green shad-wrap lead lures.

Timberon Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week. 

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

Fall Trout Fishing

Catching trout in New Mexico during the fall can be a rewarding experience as the cool weather and scenic surroundings create a prime fishing environment. Here are some tips and tricks to increase your chances of success:

Eagle Nest Lake is one of the best places for fall fishing in New Mexico, as cooler temperatures cause trout to come closer to the surface. (Photo courtesy New Mexico State Parks)

1. Target Locations — New Mexico offers numerous trout fishing opportunities, but focusing on specific locations known for trout populations is key. Some of the best fall trout fisheries include:

• • San Juan River: Below Navajo Dam, this tailwater section is famous for large rainbow trout. The steady water temperatures and abundant aquatic insects make it a year-round hotspot.
  • Eagle Nest Lake: This high-elevation lake cools down in the fall, pushing trout closer to the surface, making them easier to catch.
  • Rio Grande: The upper sections of the Rio Grande, especially near Taos, are great spots for brown trout in the fall.
  • Smaller mountain streams: Places like the Pecos River, Cimarron River and Gila River have excellent trout fishing opportunities as temperatures drop and fish become more active.

2. Match the Hatch — Fall is a prime time for insect hatches, and understanding which insects are present can make a big difference. Blue-winged olives and midges are common fall hatches. Carrying a variety of small nymphs and dry flies that match these insects can be highly effective. Some recommended flies include:

• • Parachute Adams (sizes 16–20)
  • Pheasant-Tail Nymph (sizes 18–22)
  • Midge patterns in black, olive, or cream (sizes 20–24)
    
    For larger waters like the San Juan River, small San Juan Worms and egg patterns are also productive as trout prepare for winter feeding. 

3. Adjust Techniques — In the fall, trout tend to be less aggressive but still feed actively as they bulk up for winter. Use lighter tippets (5x or 6x) to avoid spooking fish, especially in clear water. In larger rivers, nymphing with an indicator or a Euro-nymphing setup can help you get down to where the trout are holding.
   
   In lakes, trolling with small spoons, spinners or even flies behind a sinking line can cover more water and locate actively feeding fish. Fall also brings about a peak in streamer fishing, especially for aggressive brown trout in rivers. 

4. Time of Day — Fall days are shorter and cooler, so plan to fish during the warmest part of the day, typically from mid-morning to late afternoon. As temperatures cool at night, trout may be less active in the early morning, but they become more willing to strike as the sun warms the water. 

5. Be Weather-Aware — Fall weather in New Mexico can be unpredictable, with sudden changes in temperature and occasional rain or snow in higher elevations. Dressing in layers, bringing waterproof gear and staying prepared for changing conditions will ensure a more comfortable and successful outing.

By focusing on the right locations, using the appropriate flies, adjusting your techniques and being mindful of the weather, you’ll greatly improve your chances of catching trout in New Mexico during the fall. Happy fishing! 

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!