NOTE: Because of technical issues, the Department received only a few submissions for this week's Weekly Fishing Report. We apologize for the inconvenience. The issues have been fixed and the iFish form is working once again. Please feel free to resubmit your catches from this past week at https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/fishing/weekly-report/ and we will include them in next week's report.

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 Licenses from the 2024-2025 license year are no longer valid.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

Conchas Lake: Rich Luna (above left) caught four largemouth bass using a 3-inch green Ned Rig on May 17. Liam O’Guin (above right) caught four walleye using a 3-inch green Ned Rig on May 17.

Monastery Lake: Elias Ramirez and his friend, Dylan D’arco, caught eight trout using PowerBait Dough and a colorful spoon/spinner on May 19. One of the fish Dylan caught was 14½ inches long and weighed almost two pounds.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Mia and her family caught 13 trout ranging from 10-16 inches long using Salmon Peach PowerBait while boating on May 11.

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 47.7 cubic feet per second (cfs). Fishing for trout was good when using size-14 stone fly emergers and worms below Eagle Nest Lake.

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

Conchas Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass and walleye was slow to fair when using 3-inch green Ned Rigs.

Costilla Creek: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Cowles Ponds: Fishing for trout was slow to fair when fly fishing using a salmon egg dropper.

Coyote Creek: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing for rainbow trout was fair to good when using night crawlers and Chunky Cheese, Garlic and Salmon Peach PowerBait. 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 good when using PowerBait Dough and colorful spoons/spinners. The lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property. 

Morphy Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using PowerBait and rainbow Pistol Petes.

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 181 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using worms, PowerBait and salmon eggs.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 89.4 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was good when using salmon eggs.

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

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 435 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 29.9 cfs.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 79.4 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using worms on a No. 12 hook.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was 121 cfs.

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

Shuree Ponds: The ponds are closed until July 1.

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

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

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

Albuquerque Area Drains: Carlos Gallegos caught and released five large catfish, including a 10-pound, 25-inch fish, using chicken livers with circle hooks on May 18.

Bluewater Lake: Charles Cissna caught a trout using Salmon Peach Glitter PowerBait as part of a trip for the Albuquerque North Valley Senior Fishing Club on May 19. The group caught 19 fish in total, with most measuring between 14-16 inches long.

 Fenton Lake: Vicente Cano caught 20 trout using worms on May 19. 

NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Abiquiu Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass was slow to fair when using red crawdad crankbaits. 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 663 cfs.

Albuquerque Area Drains: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using chicken livers with circle hooks.

Bluewater Lake:  Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using Salmon Peach Glitter 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 northern pike was very good when using 3-inch soft curly tail grubs.

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 fair to good when using 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 31.8 cfs. Fishing for trout on the Rio Cebolla waters was good when using Natural Scent PowerBait and worms. Fishing for brown trout on the East Fork was slow to fair when using dry flies and nymphs.

Laguna del Campo: Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using PowerBait.

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

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

Liam Knight Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Navajo Lake: Fishing for northern pike was slow to fair when slowly working a jerkbait in Francis Canyon. 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 450 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week. 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 549 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 392 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was good when using zebra midges 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 slow to fair when using plastic crawfish on Texas rigs. Fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using shrimp.

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

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Anglers have recently reported great fishing conditions at Elephant Butte Lake State Park. (Photo courtesy New Mexico State Parks)

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Alumni Pond: Closed for repairs until further notice.

Bear Canyon Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Bill Evans Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Caballo Lake: Fishing for catfish and carp was very good when using shad and worms.

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass was very good when using plastic worms.

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

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 28.2 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using pheasant-tail nymph flies and olive Wooly Bugger flies.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 32 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

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: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using Salmon Peach PowerBait.

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

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 583 cfs.

Snow Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week. The area, including the boat launch and the trailhead, has been temporarily closed because of the Iron Fire.

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

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

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Bass fishing at Santa Rosa Lake has been reported as slow to fair in recent weeks. (Photo courtesy New Mexico State Parks)

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 95 cfs.

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

Bonito Lake: Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using black-and-yellow Panther Martin spinners. 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: Fishing for largemouth bass was slow to fair when using crankbaits.

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. The lake is open to fishing, but stocking has been put on hold because of issues with the pump used to fill the lake. Stocking will resume after the pump is repaired.

Eunice Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using hard jerkbaits, rubber minnows and micro chatterbaits with small minnow trailers.

Green Meadow Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Grindstone Reservoir: Fishing for trout was very good when using Yellow PowerBait. Grindstone Reservoir is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildlife impact closures, please see the Grindstone Reservoir 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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 107 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 3.22 cfs.

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

Santa Rosa Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was slow to fair when using chartreuse jigs.

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

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

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

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

Celebrating National Safe Boating Week

(Information provided by New Mexico State Parks)

May 18-24 is National Safe Boating Week, and with Memorial Day weekend coming up, making sure you’ve got all the proper safety measures in place can help guarantee a good time out on the water!

This year, the New Mexico State Parks Division has changed its boating rules to help make the state’s waters safer.

Each boat must have one life jacket available per person, and anyone using a kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard, rubber raft or other human-powered watercraft must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times.

State Parks has also shared some important boating safety tips on its Facebook page as well as its website for those looking forward to a fun time on the water:

• Always wear a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
• Designate a sober boat operator.
• Prepare, plan and gear up for inclement weather. Dress for the water temperature, not just the air. Wear layers and bring dry clothes.
• File a float plan and tell someone where you will be.
• Complete a boating safety course as required if you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1989.
• Children under 13 years of age must wear life jackets while on the deck of a moving vessel.