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. 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.

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.

The 2025-26 license year begins April 1

License sales for the 2025-26 license year are underway. 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.

• 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 Nest Lake: Tony Sanchez caught a rainbow trout off the shore using PowerBait on March 24.

Hopewell Lake: Johnny Martinez (pictured) caught and released 10 trout, including three 13-inch rainbows and a 10-inch brook trout using PowerBait and worms on March 23.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Daniel Herrera caught five trout using a leech and a Prince Nymph on March 23.

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 5.68 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: Ice fishing for trout was fair to good when using PowerBait and worms.

Lake Alice: The lake is closed to ice activities due to hazardous ice conditions.

Lake Maloya: The lake is closed to ice activities due to hazardous ice conditions.

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 73.9 cfs. Fishing for trout was slow when using salmon eggs.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 37.5 cfs.

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

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 503 cfs.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 11.8 cfs.

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

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was 33.4 cfs.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Fishing for trout was very good when using leeches and Prince Nymph flies.

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. 

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Bluewater Lake: Tommy Lente, his nephew Mone (top left) and his son Antonio caught seven rainbow trout using Rooster Tail spinners on March 23. Antonio (top right) also reeled in this monster trout as part of an enjoyable family outing (above).

Cochiti Lake: Caleb Sanchez (above left) caught a smallmouth bass using a chatter bait on March 20. “This was the only catch of the day, but it was a good one!” he said. Adrian Toscano (above right) caught his personal-best northern pike using cut bait on March 15.

Fenton Lake: Ezra Seth Dorris (not pictured) caught two trout using a Panther Martin lure on March 22. Jamerson Tafoya and his 14-year-old son, Deondre (top), caught their limits of trout using Garlic Glitter PowerBait on March 21. Erick Cordova-Alanis (above) caught three trout using Corn PowerBait and homemade dough bait on March 22. “I caught two within 20 minutes of being there, but it slowed down a lot,” he said. “On the last one, I yanked my pole and felt like I got snagged, but kept reeling and saw the red on the fish. My dad and I landed the fish – happiest I’ve ever been.”

San Juan River: Jeff Huisjen and his youngest daughter (above left) caught five rainbow trout using Orange and Pink Garlic-Scented PowerBait in the bait section on March 17. “She was very excited and glad to be out on the water,” Jeff said. Greg Bosef Jr. (above right) caught 15 rainbow trout using black midge flies in the quality waters on March 15.

Tingley Beach: Jaxson Griego caught four trout using Garlic-Scented PowerBait and shrimp on March 21.

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 255 cfs.

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

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 smallmouth bass was slow when using chatter baits. Fishing for northern pike was very good when using cut bait.

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 fair to good when using Panther Martin lures, good when using Garlic Glitter PowerBait and slow to fair when using Corn PowerBait and homemade dough bait. 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 25.5 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 103 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 27.7 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 398 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: The ice has mostly cleared and fishing conditions are good. 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 CATCH OF THE WEEK

Bear Canyon Lake: Eric Ockerhausen caught five trout using Panther Martin spinners, Joe’s Flies and flicker shad on March 24. The Montoya kids (pictured above) caught eight trout using PowerBait on March 15.

Elephant Butte Lake: Javier Valles (top left) caught a striped bass using a jerkbait on March 24. “Fishing was slow, but this striper made up for it,” he said. Ryder, Deegan and Pat Welch (top right) caught three catfish using cut bait on March 17. Jace Cde Baca (above), age 10, caught eight catfish using chicken on March 19.

Lake Roberts: David caught five trout using PowerBait from the bank and lures from the boat on March 21. Tom Harvey (above) and his wife caught eight trout using Rainbow PowerBait on March 19.

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Alumni Pond: Closed for repairs until further notice.

Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using Panther Martin spinners, Joe’s Flies, flicker shad and 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 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 52.4 cfs. 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: Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait from the bank and lures from boats.

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

Quemado Lake: The lake has thawed and is open to the public. Fishing for trout was slow when using PowerBait.

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

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Alto Lake: Gavin Finch caught five largemouth bass, including a 3-pounder (above left) and a 3.7-pounder (above right), using a jackhammer chatter bait on March 19.

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 2.99 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 worms and Salmon Glitter PowerBait, as well as grub spinners. 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 82 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

Restoring the Gila Trout

New Mexico is a beautiful place to enjoy the outdoors. In the state, there’s no shortage of inspiring experiences to observe wildlife, bike, hunt or fish with friends, family and loved ones.

In these photos, two New Mexico Department of Game and Fish biologists catch and release Gila trout in their spare time in a historic canyon in the Gila National Forest under suspended bridges called the Catwalk. Once intended for mining gold, the Catwalk has now been rebuilt for the purpose of recreation like hiking and habitat improvements so anglers can fish in a unique canyon.

The most recent habitat improvement project, which reduced streambank erosion and increased stream shading with the addition of native riparian vegetation along a quarter-mile stretch of Whitewater Creek, was completed earlier this month, so it is a great time

to head to the Gila and fish.

The Gila trout is not only one of the rarest trout in North America, but also one of the earliest spawning. Spawning activity may be beginning in some creeks and peak in April. Today, Gila trout conservation is guided by the Gila Trout Recovery Plan, established in 2022. A diverse team of State and