View in browser

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing adventure, or your catch of the week. Just visit https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/fishing/weekly-report/ and use the iFish form at the bottom of this page. Submissions received by 5 p.m. Monday will be considered for inclusion in that week's fishing report. For catches of the week include: your 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 displayed here as received. Photos containing sensitive material may be altered or excluded at the Department's discretion.

This fishing report, provided by 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.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST STOCKING REPORT

The weekly stocking report is posted each Friday, so it can include the latest stocking details right up to the weekend.

2025-26 Fishing Rules and Information Booklet Cover

The 2025-26 license year is underway!

License sales for the 2025-26 license year have begun. Licenses from the 2024-2025 license year are no longer valid. The 2025-26 Fishing Rules and Information Booklet (RIB) is available online in both English and Spanish, and will soon be available in print at Department offices and vendors statewide.

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!

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.

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

NORTHEAST

NORTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Charette Lakes: Lazarus Martinez caught two trout using a pink spinner with a worm on March 30. “We went on a boat and I caught my two biggest trout ever,” he said.

Pecos River: Jade Chavez (above left) caught five trout using live worms, Brown and Orange PowerBait and a Panther Martin spinner tipped with a rat tail as part of a father-son trip on March 31. Sammy Padilla (above right) caught a trout using salmon eggs on March 22.

Red River: Cris Brisbin and his nephews, Dylan and Caleb, caught around 20 rainbow trout with eight keepers using Garlic Chartreuse PowerBait Marshmallows on March 24.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Keanu Naranjo, age 9, Ryan Naranjo, age 5, and their family caught 11 rainbow trout ranging from 8-14 inches long using Garlic PowerBait on March 30.

Ute Lake: Robert Southers caught five walleye using Gulp minnows on March 30. “It was slow at the beginning, but picked up midday,” he said.

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

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

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

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was 8.37 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Clayton Lake: Fishing for trout was slow when using PowerBait.

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

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

Cowles Ponds: Fishing for trout was slow.

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

Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using PowerBait off the shore. For updated lake conditions and potential hazards, 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. Call the Santa Fe National Forest office at 505-438-5300 for the latest closure information.

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

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

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

Los Pinos River: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Monastery Lake: Fishing for trout was slow when using White and 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 Wednesday morning was 50.9 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using salmon eggs, live worms, Brown and Orange PowerBait and Panther Martin spinners tipped with rat tails.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 41.2 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using Garlic Chartreuse PowerBait Marshmallows.

Red River Hatchery: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 674 cfs.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 9.7 cfs.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 31.4 cfs.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was 25.7 cfs.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Fishing for trout was very good when using Garlic PowerBait.

Shuree Ponds: The ponds are closed until July 1.

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 to good when using Gulp minnows.

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Abiquiu Lake: Diego Chavez (not pictured), age 2, of Alcalde caught a 12½-inch rainbow trout using a bubble gum steelhead worm on March 27. Diego is the son of Jesus and Meagan Chavez.

Albuquerque Area Drains: Jose Marquez caught a northern pike in the Los Lunas/Belen drain using a jerkbait on March 26.

Bluewater Lake: Westtin Dibble (pictured) and Ben Pilcher caught eight rainbow trout using orange butterfly lures on March 28 as part of a trip with their grandpa and Uncle Monte.

Cochiti Lake: Nick Smith (above left) caught a northern pike using a Fire Tiger double gold-bladed spinnerbait on March 30. Charlotte Bazan (above right) caught two northern pike using a crankbait in windy conditions on March 30.

Fenton Lake: AvaRayne and Ezra Baca (pictured) caught six rainbow trout, including this 13-incher, using salmon eggs and red worms on March 31. Perry Bassham (not pictured) caught five trout using Green Garlic PowerBait on March 25. “A friend and I caught our limits on the bottom about 30 feet out near the boat launch,” he said.

Rio Chama: Jeffery Caramillo caught six trout using Siberian Nymph flies below Abiquiu Lake on March 27.

Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: Khaleesi Chavez caught five trout using Purple PowerBait on March 30.

NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Abiquiu Lake: Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371 for updated lake conditions and closure information. Fishing for rainbow trout was slow to fair when using bubble gum steelhead worms.

Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Wednesday morning was 318 cfs.

Albuquerque Area Drains: Fishing for northern pike was fair to good when using jerkbaits in the Los Lunas/Belen drain.

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using Rooster Tail spinners. Visit Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpage or call 505-876-2391 for more information.

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

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

Cochiti Lake: Fishing for northern pike was good when using crankbaits and Fire Tiger double gold-bladed spinnerbaits.

El Vado Lake: The day use area remains closed due to the dam construction project, with low water levels rendering motorboat operation impossible and angling opportunities all but nonexistent. For more information, visit El Vado Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-588-7247.

Fenton Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to very good when using salmon eggs, red worms and Green Garlic PowerBait. Visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-829-3630 for updates.

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

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

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

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 34.4 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

Laguna del Campo: Closed for the season. Reopens May 1.

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 trout was slow when using White PowerBait.

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

Navajo Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week. The dam is closed to vehicle traffic until May.

Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 194 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 143 cfs. Fishing for trout below Abiquiu Lake was fair to good when using Siberian Nymph 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: Streamflow at Albuquerque Wednesday morning was 488 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

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 Wednesday morning was 429 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was fair to good when using Orange and Pink Garlic-Scented PowerBait in the bait section and black midges in the quality waters.

Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: Fishing for trout was very good when using Purple PowerBait. 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 trout was good when using Garlic-Scented PowerBait and shrimp.

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

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Bear Canyon Lake: Ayden Jasso caught eight catfish using PowerBait on March 29.

Elephant Butte Lake: Israel Valles caught two smallmouth bass using a jerkbait on March 30. “It was a great day for smallmouth, largemouth and walleye,” he said.

Gila River: Adam Hayes (pictured) caught two trout using a Parachute Adams fly on March 27. “First time fly fishing in the Gila – awesome experience,” he said.

Lake Roberts: Jason (not pictured) caught five trout using PowerBait on March 29.

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Alumni Pond: Closed for repairs until further notice.

Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using PowerBait.

Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using gold spoons. Fishing for bass was slow.

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

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for striped bass was slow to fair when using jerkbaits. Fishing for catfish was good when using cut bait and very good when using chicken.

Escondida Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using worms.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 48.9 cfs. Fishing for trout was very good when using Parachute Adams flies.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 47.2 cfs.

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

Lake Roberts: Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait.

Percha Dam: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Rancho Grande Ponds: Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using PowerBait.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 1.37 cfs.

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

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

Young Pond: Fishing for bluegill was slow to fair when using worms.

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Santa Rosa Lake: Ian Fishburn caught two smallmouth bass using a soft, plastic finesse worm and a Ned rig.

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Alto Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good when using jackhammer chatter baits.

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

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

Black River: Streamflow at Malaga Wednesday morning was 3.77 cfs.

Blue Hole Park Pond: Fishing for trout was slow when using PowerBait and lures.

Bonito Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using Green PowerBait. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.

Bosque Redondo Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Bottomless Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week. State Road 409 is closed from Bottomless Lakes Visitor Center to Skidmarks Trail, between mile markers 8-13. Access to Bottomless Lakes is open via the upper road of State Road 409.

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

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using Trout Magnets and spinners.

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.

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

Eunice Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week

Green Meadow Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using PowerBait.

Greene Acres Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Grindstone Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait. 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: Fishing for trout was slow when using spinners.

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

Oasis Park Lake: Fishing for trout and catfish was slow when using corn.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 81.2 cfs.

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 on Wednesday morning was 4.4 cfs.

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

Santa Rosa Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass was slow when using soft, plastic finesse worms and Ned rigs.

Spring River Pond: 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, TRICKS AND STORIES

New Mexico's Walleye Spawn

Currently, the spring walleye spawn is occurring as part of the Department’s efforts to produce more sport fish for anglers. Through the dedicated work of New Mexico Game and Fish biologists, hatchery workers and conservation officers, millions of eggs are produced through artificial spawning in Conchas Lake, Caballo Lake and Santa Rosa Lake, to name a few locations. The success of the stocking program translates to improved opportunities for anglers. The best time for anglers to target walleye is around dusk and into the night during the spring when they are preparing to spawn.

Fish are squeezed over a pan, releasing eggs from the females or milt from the males. The contents are then stirred together using a crane or turkey feather and the fertilized eggs are brought to the nearest hatchery.

Fish are caught using gillnets and are evaluated for ideal spawning health. Here, a walleye is captured for potential egg extraction.

Eggs are counted for scientific purposes. Game and Fish biologists also evaluate their overall condition and later measure fertilization.

This is just a sneak peek at the work Department biologists and other staff are doing during the walleye spawn. Stay tuned to the Department's social media channels for more details as they wrap up their work this spring.

Remember to let us know how your fishing trip goes! Share your tips, tricks, and stories with your fellow anglers by filling out the iFish form at https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/fishing/weekly-report/ and let’s help the next generation of anglers find success. If you would like to submit a story for Tips, Tricks and Stories, please email Communications Director Darren Vaughan at Darren.Vaughan@dgf.nm.gov.