WE'RE MOVING!

The fishing report will be released each week on Thursday. Moving from Tuesday to Thursday will help us get the most up-to-date fishing information to you right before you head outdoors for the weekend. 

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. We may include your story in our next 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.

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

Get your Fishing License now!

A 2024-25 Fishing License is  required and is valid through March 31, 2025. 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!

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

Eagle Rock Lake: Lawrence Salazar caught five rainbow trout using a jig tipped with PowerBait during an ice-fishing trip Jan. 25.

Lake Maloya: John J. Cormier caught his limit of trout and “tons of tiny perch,” including this 3-incher, using wax worms, PowerBait and nightcrawlers on Jan. 24. “I’m 61 years old, and have never been ice fishing,” he said. “This is my first fish – a 3-inch perch! Had a great time with friends, and the weather was awesome.”

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

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

Charette Lakes: Closed for the season. Reopens March 1.

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was not measured due to ice.

Clayton Lake: Closed for the season. Reopens March 1.

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: The lake has reopened for ice fishing; however, all activities on the ice are at your own risk and it is recommended that all patrons do not enter the ice until daytime and are off the ice before sundown. For updated lake conditions and potential hazards, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

Eagle Rock Lake: Ice fishing for trout was fair to good when using jigs tipped with 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: Anglers have begun ice fishing at the lake. Fishing for trout was good when using worms and salmon eggs.

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

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

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

Maxwell Lake 13: Closed for the season. Reopens March 1.

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

Morphy Lake: Closed for the season. Reopens March 1.

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 56.2 cubic feet per second (cfs). Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using Streamer flies.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 41.2 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using black streamer flies and San Juan worm-pattern flies.

Red River Hatchery: Work to replace the water line to the hatchery pond has been completed and stocking has resumed. We had no reports from anglers this week.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 393 cfs. Fishing for trout was slow near the John Dunn Bridge when using silver-bladed, black-and-green Joe’s flies.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was not measured due to ice.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was not measured due to ice.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was not measured due to ice.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Santa Cruz Reservoir is closed and will reopen Feb. 15.

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: We had no reports from anglers this week. 

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Tingley Beach: John (Hooker) Anya caught four trout using a fly on Jan. 24. “It was a very cold day,” he said. “I drove from Belen just to try out the catch-and-release. It was a good day.”

NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Abiquiu Lake: Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371 for updated lake conditions and closure information.

Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Wednesday morning was 212 cfs.

Albuquerque Area Drains: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using chicken liver, PowerBait and salmon eggs.

Bluewater Lake: The lake is currently frozen over and is closed to ice fishing. Visit Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpage or call 505-876-2391 for more information.

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

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

Cochiti Lake: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has temporarily closed the lake until further notice due to unsafe ice conditions. This includes the boat ramp, fishing access and day-use facilities on the Cochiti side of the lake. The gate to the road leading to the lake on the Cochiti side has been closed. Visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ website for updates.

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 good when using Garlic Glitter PowerBait and Garlic PowerBait. Fenton Lake is now partially covered in dangerously thin ice. Going onto the ice for any reason is strictly prohibited. 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: Fishing for kokanee salmon using snagging hooks was very slow.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Monday morning was 19.5 cfs.

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

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

Lake Farmington: Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using PowerBait.

Liam Knight Pond: Fishing for trout was fair when using Orange PowerBait and green flies.

McGaffey Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using White Garlic PowerBait Eggs.

Navajo Lake: Fishing for pike was slow when using crankbaits. The dam is closed to vehicle traffic until May 2025.

Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 103 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 85 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using zebra midges and Trout Magnets 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: 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 367 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using artificial nymphs in the quality waters.

Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: Fishing for trout was very good when using salmon eggs and Orange PowerBait. The pond was half covered in ice but still fishable. 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 fair to good when using Peach PowerBait, salmon eggs and white egg-pattern flies.

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

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Fishing for bass at Bill Evans Lake has been slow-to-fair in recent weeks when using Salmon Peach PowerBait and red-and-gold lures.

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Alumni Pond: Closed for repairs until further notice.

Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using PowerBait and spinners.

Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for bass was slow to fair when using Salmon Peach PowerBait and red-and-gold lures.

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

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for walleye was slow to fair when using plastic baits. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using cut bait.

Escondida Lake: Fishing for trout was fair when using salmon eggs and PowerBait.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 61.2 cfs. Fishing for catfish was fair when using crawdads.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 49 cfs.

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

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

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

Quemado Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait and Chartreuse PowerBait Eggs. Fishing for tiger muskie was fair to good when using red-and-white Mepps spinners. The U.S. Forest Service has issued a warning about thin ice on the lake and advises against ice fishing or other on-ice activities.

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

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was less than 1 cfs.

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

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

Young Pond: Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using PowerBait Salmon Eggs. 

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

The boat ramp is currently open at Santa Rosa Lake, though water levels remain low. Keep an eye out for potential hazards in the water when boating. (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: 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 5.8 cfs.

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

Bonito Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using flies, lures and worms. The lake is about 90% covered by ice. 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.

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

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

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

Corona Pond: Fishing for trout was good when using earthworms.

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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Grindstone Lake: Fly fishing for trout was slow to fair. 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 trout was very good when using PowerBait and Pistol Pete red worm flies. Fishing for bass was slow.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Monday morning was less than 1 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 5.03 cfs. The area has been experiencing heavy flooding due to recent fires and 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: We had no reports from anglers this week. The Eastside Campground and Eastside Shoreline are now closed for the winter season and will reopen April 1.

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

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

Ice Fishing Opens at Three New Mexico State Parks

Brave the cold and reel in your catch!

By New Mexico State Parks

New Mexico State Parks announces the official opening of ice fishing season at Eagle Nest Lake, Fenton Lake, and Sugarite Canyon State

Parks. Anglers eager to bundle up and cast a line can now enjoy this winter tradition—while taking precautions to stay safe on the ice.

“We welcome ice fishing enthusiasts to enjoy this winter fishing season. However, we ask that they take precautions to ensure that their outings are safe and enjoyable,” said Toby Velasquez, director for New Mexico State Parks.

Ice Fishing Guidelines & Safety Tips

• Foot traffic only – Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the ice.
• Ice fishing is at your own risk.
• Check conditions before you go — visit the Park Alerts for the latest ice conditions.
• Use caution and avoid marked hazards, including pressure ridges, and stay at least 50 yards away from cones or barrels marking danger zones.
• Report any hazards you encounter to park staff so they can issue additional warnings, if necessary.
• Don’t fish alone. Inform someone of your intended fishing destination and expected return time.
• Always wear a life jacket (personal flotation device) when on the ice.
• Be prepared for weather conditions. Dress in layers, including thermal underwear, fleece or wool, and windproof, waterproof outerwear, especially for your feet, hands, and head.
• Keep fishing holes smaller than eight inches in diameter to reduce safety hazards for others.
• Stay cautious around known weak ice areas such as feeder streams, springs, or cracks. Ice spikes are recommended for self-rescue.
• Distribute weight and fishing holes to avoid overcrowding in one area.

Given the unseasonably warm temperatures, conditions may change quickly. Contact park staff or check the Park Alerts section on the EMNRD website for up-to-date info.

• Eagle Nest Lake State Park: (575) 377-1594
• Fenton Lake State Park: (575) 829-3630
• Sugarite Canyon State Park (Lake Maloya and Lake Alice): (575) 445-5607

For information on all 35 of your New Mexico State Parks, visit emnrd.nm.gov/spd and click on Find a Park. To make camping reservations, visit reserveamerica.com.