WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing adventure, or your catch of the week. Just visit the Department's Weekly Fishing & Stocking Report website and use the iFish form at the bottom of the 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.
The weekly stocking report is posted each Friday, so it can include the latest stocking details right up to the weekend.
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 Licenses from the 2024-2025 license year are no longer valid.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.
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
Fishing for rainbow trout was good when using worms earlier this month at Eagle Nest Lake.
NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT
Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was not measured due to ice.
Eagle Nest Lake: The most recent report was received Dec. 4. At that time, fishing for rainbow trout was good when using worms. For updated lake conditions, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.
Hopewell Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 20. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using yellow glitter Gulp and spinners.
Lake Maloya:The most recent report was received Nov. 27. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using Rainbow PowerBait.
Monastery Lake:The most recent report was received Dec. 4. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using Kastmasters, worms and PowerBait. The lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property.
Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 56.2 cfs. The most recent report was received Nov. 27. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using worms.
Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 32.8 cfs.
Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 591 cfs.
Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 8.34 cfs.
Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 18.7 cfs.
Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was not measured due to ice.
Santa Cruz Reservoir:The most recent report was received Nov. 27. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using lures.
Ute Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 20. At that time, fishing for walleye, crappie, catfish and white bass was fair to good when using 3-inch and 4-inch Gulp minnows.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Cabresto Lake, Clayton Lake, Charette Lakes, Conchas Lake, Cowles Ponds, Coyote Creek, Eagle Rock Lake, Gallinas River, Harris Pond, Lake Alice, Los Pinos River, Maxwell Lake 13, Morphy Lake,Red River City Ponds,Red River Hatchery, Rio Costilla, Shuree Ponds, Springer Lake, Storrie Lake and Stubblefield Lake.
NORTHWEST
NORTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK
San Juan River: Eli Rodarte caught a 24-inch rainbow trout using worms in the bait section on Nov. 29.
Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: Molly Bullard, age 12, of Rio Rancho caught three 12-inch rainbow trout in less than 15 minutes using worms on Dec. 2.
NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT
Abiquiu Lake: Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371for updated lake conditions and closure information. The most recent report was received Nov. 20. At that time, fishing for walleye was slow to fair when using Rapala sinking minnows.
Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Wednesday morning was 307 cfs.
Belen Riverside Drain: The most recent report was received Nov. 27. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using salmon eggs.
El Vado Lake: The 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.
Fenton Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using Garlic PowerBait.
Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 11.4 cfs.
Navajo Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 27. At that time, snagging for kokanee was slow.
Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 700 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 1,130 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: Streamflow at Albuquerque Wednesday morning was 1,760 cfs.
San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Wednesday morning was 284 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was fair to good when using worms in the bait section.
Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: Fishing for trout was very good when using worms. Anglers reported that the pond is approximately half-frozen, though the fish continue to bite. 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.
Tingley Beach:The most recent report was received Nov. 27. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using Garlic PowerBait.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Albuquerque Area Drains, Brazos River,Canjilon Lakes, Cochiti Lake, Grants Riverwalk Pond, Heron Lake, Jackson Lake, Laguna del Campo, Lagunitas Lakes, Lake Farmington, Liam Knight Pond, McGaffey Lake, Navajo Lake, Rio Cebolla, Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Pond #1), San Gregorio Lake, Tiger Park Reservoir and Trout Lakes.
SOUTHWEST
SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK
Fishing for white bass was slow to fair when using shad-colored crankbaits, and fishing for striped bass was slow to fair when using jerkbaits earlier this month at Elephant Butte Lake.
SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT
Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing conditions have been adversely affected in the aftermath of the Trout Fire.
Bill Evans Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 20. At that time, fishing for catfish was fair to good when using natural scent trout bait. Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using crawdads.
Elephant Butte Lake: The most recent report was received Dec. 4. At that time, fishing for white bass was slow to fair when using shad-colored crankbaits. Fishing for striped bass was slow to fair when using jerkbaits.
Escondida Lake:The most recent report was received Nov. 27. At that time, fishing for catfish was good when using PowerBait.
Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 100 cfs.
Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 50.9 cfs.
Quemado Lake:The lake is currently closed due to an algal bloom. It will reopen when the New Mexico Environment Department advises that the lake is safe for public use. For more information, visit the Gila National Forest website.
Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0 cfs.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Caballo Lake, Elephant Butte Lake, Glenwood Pond, Lake Roberts, Percha Dam, Rancho Grande Ponds, Snow Lake, Trees Lake and Young Pond.
SOUTHEAST
SOUTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK
Fishing for trout at Bonito Lake was slow to fair when using Garlic Cheese PowerBait and nightcrawlers.
SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT
Alto Lake:The most recent report was received Dec. 4. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using PowerBait, multicolored Kastmasters and worms.
Berrendo Creek: Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on this property.
Black River: Streamflow at Malaga Wednesday morning was 1.72 cfs. The most recent report was received Dec. 4. At that time, fishing for flathead catfish was slow to fair when using shad chunks.
Bonito Lake: Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using Garlic Cheese PowerBait and nightcrawlers. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.
Grindstone Reservoir:Grindstone Reservoir is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildlife impact closures, please see the Grindstone Reservoir Webpage before planning a visit.
Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 32.2 cfs.
Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 4.22 cfs. Fishing conditions will be adversely affected for an extended period of time due to recent flooding in the area.
Sumner Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 20. At that time, fishing for smallmouth bass was good when using Panther Martin Spinners.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: 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, Green Meadow Lake, Greene Acres Lake, Harry McAdams Park Pond, Jal Lake, Lake Van, Ned Houk Ponds, Oasis Park Lake, Perch Lake, Rio Bonito, Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond, Santa Rosa Lake, Spring River Pond and Timberon Ponds.
TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES
Construction at Red River Hatchery
The Department is working with a private contractor to make long-needed improvements to an aging and dilapidated bridge that crosses the Red River at the Red River Fish Hatchery. During this process, the Red River Hatchery Visitor Center and Self-Guided Tour will be closed from Dec. 8, 2025-Jan. 31, 2026. Upon completion of the project, visitors will once again be able to drive and park their vehicles at the Visitor Center.
During this time, anglers will still have access to the two parking lots south of the Red River, as well as to fishing on the lower stretch of the Red River above and below the bridge. Visitors are cautioned to stay clear of the bridge for their safety and follow construction signage. There will be large equipment in the vicinity during construction.
Please feel free to contact the Red River Hatchery at 575-586-0222 for up-to-date information regarding closures and access.
We hope to have a safe and shiny new bridge available for you all soon!
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 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.
New Mexico Department of Game & Fish, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507
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