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.

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 Licenses from the 2024-2025 license year are no longer valid.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.

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: David Gonzalez (top left) and Elaine Gonzalez (top right) each caught their limit of rainbow trout using worms from the bank on April 26. Elaine reported that one trout was 24 inches long and another was 23½ inches long. James Portillo (above) caught three rainbow trout using a Prince Nymph fly on April 23.

Lake Maloya: Don Day (not pictured) caught five trout trolling a black Pistol Pete with a silver spinner on April 22.

Monastery Lake: Evan Snable caught his first trout, along with three more, all on his own cast using nightcrawlers on April 27. “Monastery Lake was a perfect day for our family fishing day,” Andrea Snable said.

Morphy Lake: Landon Trujillo (not pictured) caught five trout on April 26.

Pecos River: William Carrington (not pictured) caught 22 trout with a guide using a dry fly with a nymph dropper on April 8.

Rio Grande: Brenden Jemison (not pictured) caught 21 brown trout using a yellow, red-polka-dot Panther Martin spinner in the rapids below the John Dunn Bridge on April 26. Veronica Maestas caught a brown trout using a nightcrawler at the Taos Junction Bridge on April 23.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Isa Nakazono (above left), age 10, and Hiroki Nakazono (above right), age 8, of Santa Fe, each caught their first large rainbow trout using PowerBait despite windy conditions while fishing with family on April 27.

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

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

Charette Lakes: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using crawlers and salmon eggs.

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was 31.6 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Clayton Lake: Fishing for trout was slow when using PowerBait.

Conchas Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was slow to fair when using white plastic worms.

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 good when using worms and slow to fair when using Prince Nymph flies. For updated lake conditions and potential hazards, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

Eagle Rock Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using Salmon Peach PowerBait.

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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Lake Maloya: Fishing for trout was good when trolling black Pistol Petes with silver spinners.

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 very good when using nightcrawlers. The lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property. 

Morphy Lake: Anglers reported good trout fishing this week, but no information was provided regarding preferred baits.

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 124 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using a dry fly with a nymph dropper.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 55.7 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using Garlic Chartreuse PowerBait Marshmallows.

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

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 266 cfs. Fishing for brown trout below the John Dunn Bridge was good when using yellow, red-polka-dot Panther Martin spinners. Fishing for brown trout at the Taos Junction Bridge was slow to fair when using nightcrawlers.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 19.3 cfs.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 56.8 cfs.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was 67.4 cfs.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait.

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: Fishing for walleye was good when using shad lures. 

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Bluewater Lake: Ava G. (top left) and Kaylub Sanchez (top right) each caught two trout using PowerBait on April 24. Elias and Estevan Maes (above) caught their limits of rainbow trout using Kastmasters and Rapalas on April 26. “Mid-morning was the best action,” Jason Maes reported.

Jemez Waters: Ava Hendren (above left) caught three trout using Green PowerBait on April 26. Josh, Miguel and Ava (above right) also used salmon eggs during their trip.

Lake Farmington: Kristen Thompson (not pictured) caught eight trout using worms on April 29. Justin (not pictured) caught five trout, as well as a white bass, using inline spinners and crankbaits during the evening on April 23.

San Juan River: Liam O’Guin caught four rainbow trout using a brown #20 beadhead zebra midge fly in the quality waters on April 24.

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 slow to fair when using bubble gum steelhead worms.

Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Wednesday morning was 579 cfs.

Albuquerque Area Drains: Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using citrus shad crankbaits.

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait, Kastmasters and Rapalas. 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 northern pike was slow when using inline spinners. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using homemade boilies.

El Vado Lake: The day use area remains closed due to the dam construction project, with low water levels rendering motorboat operation impossible and angling opportunities all but nonexistent. 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 San Juan worms. 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 28 cfs. Fishing for trout on the Jemez River was good when using Green PowerBait and salmon eggs.

Laguna del Campo: The lake reopens today.

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

Lake Farmington: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using worms and slow to fair when using inline spinners and crankbaits.

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 393 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 424 cfs. Fishing for trout below Abiquiu Lake was fair to good when using Siberian Nymph 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 383 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 382 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was good when using #20 brown beadhead zebra midge flies in the quality waters.

Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: Fishing for trout was very good when using PowerBait and worms. 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 largemouth bass was fair to good when using Texas rigs.

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

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Bill Evans Lake: Jake and Nick Johnson caught and released six trout, as well as this 20-inch catfish, using PowerBait Mice Tails on April 26. CG Phillips (not pictured) and her husband each caught their limit of rainbow trout over a three-hour span using Green PowerBait on April 23.

Elephant Butte Lake: Brian Powers (above left) caught three white bass using a chrome Kastmaster on April 26. Timothy Wilkins (above right), his son and a guide combined to catch 22 catfish using cut bait on April 15.

Gila River: Tim (not pictured) caught three trout in the Catwalk area using dry flies and nymphs on April 27.

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Alumni Pond: Closed for repairs until further notice.

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

Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for trout and catfish was good when using PowerBait Mice Tails and Green PowerBait.

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

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for white bass was fair to good when using chrome Kastmasters.

Escondida Lake: Fishing for catfish was good when using PowerBait.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 41.2 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using dry flies and nymphs.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 42 cfs. Fishing for Gila trout in Whitewater Creek was slow to fair when using flies.

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

Lake Roberts: Fishing for trout was good when trolling Rooster Tails.

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

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

Rancho Grande Ponds: Fishing for rainbow trout was good when using PowerBait.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 25.4 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 good when using Neon Green Glitter PowerBait. 

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Alto Lake: Vernon Bice (not pictured) caught 14 trout and a 14-inch largemouth bass using an olive-and-white Marabou Streamer fly on April 25. “Two trout were over 12 inches, but most were smaller ones,” he said.

Bonito Lake: Joe Vallejos (above left) caught 20 trout using Pautzke Fire Bait and Fire Tubes on April 25. “Bonito Lake is back!” he said. “I caught and released 20 fish in a little over an hour on a Friday afternoon on the way back home to Albuquerque.” Jaxon Underwood (above right) caught three trout using Yellow Green PowerBait on April 26. “He celebrated his 12^th birthday by inviting his best buddies to fish at Bonito Lake,” Justin Underwood said. “Two of his friends caught their first fish ever! What a great day.”

Eunice Lake: Gaige Tyree (not pictured) caught four largemouth bass using a soft swimbait on April 25.

Oasis Park Lake: Kendrick Rodriguez caught and released 14 channel catfish in four hours using Slim Jim pieces on April 25.

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Alto Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using olive-and-white Marabou Streamer flies.

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 29.6 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 Yellow Green PowerBait, Pautzke Fire Bait and Fire Tubes. 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: Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using Clouser Minnow flies. Fishing for white bass was slow to fair when using soft swimbaits.

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good when using soft swimbaits.

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: Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using soft swimbaits.

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 garlic-infused, Cherry Kool-Aid chicken and worms. 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 catfish was slow when using shrimp.

Ned Houk Ponds: Fishing for channel catfish was slow to fair when using hot dogs with Kool-Aid and nightcrawlers.

Oasis Park Lake: Fishing for catfish was very good when using Slim Jim pieces.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 81.2 cfs.

Perch Lake: Fishing for catfish was slow when using Ned rigs.

Rio Bonito: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 4.22 cfs.

Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Santa Rosa Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass was slow when using soft, plastic finesse worms and Ned rigs.

Spring River Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Sumner Lake: Anglers had success catching walleye and bass.

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

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

Twins? Not Quite ...

At first glance these two fish appear to be twinning. But they’re actually two different types of fish. Here are some tips to differentiate the Desert Sucker (Catostomus clarki) and Sonora Sucker (Catostomus insignis) apart. These two fish are native to New Mexico and incredibly important for the habitat they inhabit.

Sonora: Can be bigger-bodied with less mottling and color overall. Scales appear outlined and obviously get larger towards the tail (deserts do as well, but it’s not always as obvious). The mouth is circular (no clefts in the corner), lacks the obvious scraping ridge that desert sucker have, and the lobes of the lower lip are deeply cleft. 

Desert: Rounder nose, big “half-moon” shaped upper lip with a scraping ridge, and shallower clefts (smaller lobes) in the lower lip. The lips are ale cleft in the corner of the mouth. They get an impressive orange stripe along the flank during breeding season and are generally mottled in color.