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.
Licenses for the 2025-2026 license year remain valid until March 31, 2026. The 2025-2026 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 years.
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 on available fish species, facilities, accessibility, boat ramps, and general regulations.
Ute Lake: Sherrilyn Romero caught a walleye using a deep-dive lure on Feb. 8. “My husband and I enjoyed fishing on this beautiful, calm day,” she said. “By far the biggest walleye I have ever caught. Ute Lake is one of the prettiest lakes in New Mexico — we always catch fish.”
NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT
Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was not measured due to ice.
Eagle Nest Lake: The lake surface is closed to all activities due to deteriorating ice conditions. For updated lake conditions, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.
Eagle Rock Lake: The most recent report was received Feb. 5. At that time, ice fishing for trout was very good when using tungsten Simco bugs.
Lake Alice: Anglers reported the lake is closed to ice fishing and shore fishing. For more information, visit Sugarite Canyon State Park’s webpage or call 575-445-5607.
Lake Maloya: Anglers reported the lake is closed to ice fishing and shore fishing. For more information, visit Sugarite Canyon State Park’s webpage or call 575-445-5607.
Morphy Lake: Morphy Lake State Park is closed for the season until Feb. 28.
Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was not measured due to ice. The most recent report was received Jan. 22. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using clown salmon eggs, midges, hoppers and elk-hair caddis flies.
Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 34 cubic feet per second (cfs).
Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 536 cfs.
Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was not measured due to ice.
Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 7.35 cfs.
Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was not measured due to ice.
Ute Lake: Fishing for walleye was good to very good when using deep-diving lures, 4-inch Gulp minnows and blade baits. Fishing for catfish was good when using 4-inch Gulp minnows and blade baits. Fishing for white bass was very good when using 4-inch Gulp minnows and blade baits.
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, Gallinas River, Harris Pond, Los Pinos River, Maxwell Lake 13, Red River City Ponds,Red River Hatchery, Rio Costilla, Santa Cruz Reservoir, Shuree Ponds, Springer Lake, Storrie Lake and Stubblefield Lake.
NORTHWEST
NORTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK
Albuquerque Area Drains: Sam Stewart caught a largemouth bass using curly tail shad on Feb. 9.
NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT
Abiquiu Lake: Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371for updated lake conditions and closure information.
Albuquerque Area Drains: Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using curly tail shad.
Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Wednesday morning was 212 cfs.
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:The boat ramp/launch area is closed due to ice accumulations on the lake. It will remain closed until conditions exist for safe ice fishing or the lake has completely thawed. For more information, visit Fenton Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-829-3630.
Grants Riverwalk Pond: The most recent report was received Jan. 29. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using PowerBait.
Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 21.6 cfs. The most recent report was received Feb. 5. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using mealworms.
Liam Knight Pond: Fishing for trout was good when using red earthworms.
Navajo Lake: Fishing for crappie was good when using jigs.
Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 93 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 40.9 cfs. The most recent report was received Jan. 22. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using bait below Abiquiu Lake. 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 473 cfs.
San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Wednesday morning was 324 cfs.
Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: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: Fishing for trout was very good when using Berkley PowerBait Mice Tails.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Brazos River,Canjilon Lakes, Cochiti Lake, Heron Lake, Jackson Lake, Laguna del Campo, Lagunitas Lakes, Lake Farmington, McGaffey Lake, Rio Cebolla, Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Pond #1), San Gregorio Lake, Tiger Park Reservoir and Trout Lakes.
SOUTHWEST
SOUTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK
Anglers reported good fishing for trout at Bill Evans Lake when using Kastmaster lures last week.
SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT
Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing conditions have been adversely affected in the aftermath of the Trout Fire.
Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using Kastmasters from a boat.
Elephant Butte Lake: The most recent report was received Jan. 29. At that time, fishing for white bass was very good when using Rat-L-Traps.The South Monticello boat ramp is currently closed and access to Rattlesnake Island is currently restricted due to low water levels. The closures will be lifted when water levels rise and conditions allow.
Escondida Lake: The most recent report was received Feb. 5. At that time, fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using worms. Fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good when using spinners.
Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 70.9 cfs.
Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 59.8 cfs.
Rio Grande: The most recent report was received Jan. 29. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using worms. Fishing for walleye was good when using minnows. Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0.17 cfs.
Young Pond: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using inline spinners.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Caballo Lake, Glenwood Pond, Lake Roberts, Percha Dam, Quemado Lake, Rancho Grande Ponds, Snow Lake and Trees Lake.
SOUTHEAST
SOUTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK
Alto Lake: Brian Powers caught three trout in an hour and a half — one on a multicolored Kastmaster, one on a worm and one on Rainbow Twist PowerBait — on Feb. 7.
Bonito Lake: Bruce Handrich caught five trout using corn on Feb. 7.
Bonito Lake: Joanna Garcia’s group caught five rainbow trout and two brook trout between 13-15 inches in length using worms and micro jigs on Feb. 7. “It was good fishing that late afternoon,” she said.
Grindstone Reservoir: Brian Powers caught five rainbow trout — three on a multicolored Kastmaster and two on worms on a high-low rig — keeping three, including a 13-incher, on Jan. 31.
Timberon Ponds: Ben A. Luttrell caught five trout in the early morning of Feb. 7 using Rainbow PowerBait Nuggets and Green Trout Nuggets.
SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT
Alto Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using PowerBait Rainbow Nuggets and Green Trout Nuggets, and fair to good when using Kastmasters, worms and Rainbow Twist PowerBait.
Berrendo Creek: Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on this property.
Black River: Streamflow at Malaga Wednesday morning was 5.06 cfs.
Bonito Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using corn, worms and micro jigs, and slow when using black-and-yellow Panther Martins. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.
Corona Pond: Fishing for trout was very good when using cut bait.
Green Meadow Lake: The most recent report was received Feb. 5. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait Corn Nuggets.
Grindstone Reservoir:Fishing for trout was fair to good when using multicolored Kastmasters and worms. Grindstone Reservoir is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildfire impact closures, please see the Grindstone Reservoir Webpage before planning a visit.
Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 15.1 cfs.
Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 15.8 cfs. Fishing conditions will be adversely affected for an extended period of time due to recent flooding in the area.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Alto Lake, Bataan Lake, Blue Hole Park Pond, Bosque Redondo Lake, Bottomless Lakes, Brantley Lake, Carlsbad Municipal Lake, Chaparral Park Lake, Dennis Chavez Pond, Estancia Park Lake, Eunice 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 Sumner Lake.
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.
TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES
Looking for some new gear? Come to the Outdoor Adventures Show!
By Darren Vaughan
Have you wanted to go fishing, but a look at your rod and reel and the contents of your tackle box makes you eager for an upgrade?
Are you frustrated by watching everyone else around you reel in fish after fish, while all you can seem to catch is driftwood?
This weekend in Albuquerque, the New Mexico Department of Wildlife has just the event for you! The annual Outdoor Adventures Show is returning to the Manuel Lujan Building at Expo New Mexico, with a variety of vendors from across the state offering new equipment, including rods, reels and bait.
The show is open from noon-5 p.m. on Friday, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.
There will also be several fishing-related presentations that will provide some valuable information for those who want to learn more about how to reel in the big one. At 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Department staff will present information about fishing for Gila trout, as well as species biology. At 3:30 p.m., New Mexico Bass Nation will be on the presentation stage to talk about bass-fishing techniques, youth scholarships and how to join tournaments.
The next day, Blue’s Baits of Bloomfield will provide some tips on how to select rods, reels and baits at 10 a.m., followed by a presentation on trout fishing techniques and habitat work from New Mexico Trout at 11 a.m.
For the younger crowd, as well as the young at heart, the Department will also have an aquatic education activity, studying different aquatic insects — which may inform your fly-fishing strategy.
Admission is free if you have a valid New Mexico hunting or fishing license, as well as for those age 17 and younger. It is only $5 for adults without a valid license.
So, come check out this weekend’s show! You could find that new rod, the perfect lure or the special technique that will keep the fish biting for you this year.
Let us know how your fishing trip goes! Share your tips and tricks with your fellow anglers by filling out the iFish form and let’s help the next generation of anglers find success.
Thanks for reading and supporting our angling community!
New Mexico Department of Wildlife, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507
