WE'VE MOVED!

The fishing report is now 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.

2024-25 Fishing RIBs and licenses still available online!

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.

2025-26 Fishing Rules and Information Booklet Cover

The 2025-26 license year begins April 1

License sales for the 2025-26 license year will begin March 24. 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

Eagle Nest Lake: Ray Salazar (pictured) caught five rainbow trout using Woolly Buggers on March 13.

Lake Alice: David Lovin caught five trout using floating PowerBait on March 11.

Rio Grande: Justin Williams caught six rainbow trout while fly fishing in the Wild Rivers area on March 13. “Fishing was great and the area is well-maintained,” he said.

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

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

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

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was 5.09 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 slow to fair when using Woolly Buggers. 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: Fishing for trout was good when using floating PowerBait.

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: 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 35.7 cfs.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 35.1 cfs.

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

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 605 cfs. Fly fishing for trout was good in the Wild Rivers area.

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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Shuree Ponds: The ponds are closed until July 1.

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

Storrie Lake: Boaters are asked to use caution as there is floating debris due to recent snowmelt. 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. The upper boat parking areas at the South Side, Logan Marina and McFarland areas remain closed until March 30.

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Bluewater Lake: Jimmie Begay Jr. (top left and top right) caught five rainbow trout using Garlic PowerBait on March 9. “This was the biggest rainbow trout I’ve caught,” he said. “Bluewater Lake was some good fishing.” Serena (above) caught her first trout using PowerBait while fishing with her grandmother, Nadine Delgarito Gordon, on March 10.

Cochiti Lake: Brent Shelburn caught a smallmouth bass using a Berkley Frittside 5 lure on March 12. “Very windy, but pre-spawn has finally started,” he said.

San Juan River: Thiago Parra of Bloomfield caught his limit of rainbow trout using PowerBait while fishing with his family on March 9.

Tingley Beach: Wesley Gammon (not pictured) caught a catfish using raw trout on March 6.

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 good when using Kastmasters.

Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Wednesday morning was 236 cfs.

Albuquerque Area Drains: Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using Panorama baits.

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using Garlic PowerBait. 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 smallmouth bass was slow to fair when using Berkley Frittside 5 lures.

El Vado Lake: Closed due to dam construction project. The park will reopen April 1. For more information, visit El Vado Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-588-7247.

Fenton Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using PowerBait Eggs and Gulp Tequila Sunrise lures. 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 24.1 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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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 97.1 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 21.9 cfs. Fishing for trout below El Vado Lake was good when using red zebra midge 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 393 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 408 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using PowerBait in the bait section.

Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week. 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 slow to fair when using raw trout.

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

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

This weekend’s weather forecast at Caballo Lake State Park calls for sunshine and temperatures approaching 80 degrees, making for a great opportunity to get outdoors. (Photo courtesy New Mexico State Parks)

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Alumni Pond: Closed for repairs until further notice.

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

Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for rainbow trout was fair to good when using Garlic PowerBait.

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

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for catfish was good when using shad cut bait.

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

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 58.6cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 48.1 cfs.

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

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

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 less than 1 cfs.

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 CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Brantley Lake: Daniel (pictured) caught seven bass, including this spotted bass, using a black-and-blue jig on March 9. “I found some bass moving into shallow waters to spawn,” he said. “The bite was real slow but everything I caught was in pre-spawn, was 2-4 pounds and just about ready to drop some eggs. I found a couple of spotted bass too (the photo is the biggest one of the two).”

Greene Acres Lake: Manuel Gallegos caught five 12-to-14-inch rainbow trout using PowerBait on March 14.

Grindstone Reservoir: John Eric Guggedahl caught five trout using Chunky Cheese PowerBait on March 17.

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Alto Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using PowerBait.

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 4.52 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: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using White PowerBait and corn.

Brantley Lake: Fishing for bass was fair to good when using black-and-blue jigs.

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: Fishing for rainbow trout was good when using PowerBait.

Grindstone Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using Chunky Cheese PowerBait. Anglers reported very low water levels. 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 57.5 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 4.59 cfs.

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

Ready to hit the water? Make sure you have your boater education card!

The official beginning of spring is just around the corner, and that means it’s almost time to put away the winter coats and start thinking about getting outdoors!

Getting together with friends and

family and enjoying a warm afternoon on a boat on one of New Mexico’s lakes and reservoirs is a cherished opportunity. However, before you hit the water, there is one key thing to remember. According to the State Parks Division of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, all boaters born on or after Jan. 1, 1989, who operate a motorized boat or sailboat on New Mexico waters are required to have a valid boater education card.

In-person boating safety courses are taught by New Mexico state park rangers, as well as U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers. A list of upcoming classes is available here. Other options, including online and home-study courses, are available in both English and Spanish – a list is available here.

Those born before Jan. 1, 1989, are exempt from this requirement, as are non-resident boaters with a valid boater education card from another state. Boaters operating a government vessel that is exempt from state registration or who are renting a boat and have received safety instructions and have completed a dockside safety checklist that is provided by the rental agent are also exempt. A full list of rules and regulations is provided here.

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.