WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing adventure, or your catch of the week. Just visit the Department's Weekly Fishing & Stocking Report website and use the iFish form at the bottom of the 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.
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 Licenses from the 2024-2025 license year are no longer valid.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.
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: David Griego caught his first Kokanee salmon on November 7. He and his girlfriend Gabby also caught their limit of trout on the nearby creek.
Hopewell Lake: Trisha Abeita caught this 39-inch trout on the northwest side of the lake.
NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT
Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was 4.53 cubic feet per second (cfs).
Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using worms. Fishing for salmon was slow when snagging. For updated lake conditions, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.
Hopewell Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using yellow glitter Gulp and spinners.
Lake Maloya: The most recent report was received Nov. 13.At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using Pink Lemonade PowerBait.
Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 57.5 cfs. The most recent report was received Nov. 13. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using white glitter PowerBait.
Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 42.4 cfs. The most recent report was received Nov. 6. At that time, fishing for brown trout was slow to fair when using Panther Martin spinners.
Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 669 cfs. The most recent report was received Oct. 30. At that time, fishing for brown trout was slow when using flies, spinners and worms.
Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 10.22 cfs.
Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 19.8 cfs.
Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was 12.1 cfs.
Santa Cruz Reservoir: The most recent report was received Nov. 6. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair when using Green PowerBait.
Ute Lake: Fishing for walleye, crappie, catfish and white bass was fair to good when using 3-inch and 4-inch Gulp minnows.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Cabresto Lake, Clayton Lake, Charette Lakes, Conchas Lake, Cowles Ponds, Coyote Creek, Eagle Rock Lake, Gallinas River, Harris Pond, Lake Alice, Los Pinos River, Maxwell Lake 13, Morphy Lake, Red River City Ponds, Red River Hatchery, Rio Costilla, Shuree Ponds, Springer Lake, Storrie Lake and Stubblefield Lake.
NORTHWEST
NORTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK
Abiquiu Lake: Josh Archuleta joined his wife and nephew for a great day of fishing. They caught two fish, including this walleye.
San Juan River: 17-year-old Jason Jarmillo caught four fish during his fly fishing trip to the San Juan.
Seven Springs Brood Pond: Six-year-old Mateo Baca caught five trout on Nov. 11. His grandfather, Marcos Gulin, said, "he had a great experience and was able to catch some very good trout with his grandparents. Thank you New Mexico Game and Fish for such a great oportunity for our youngsters."
NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT
Abiquiu Lake: Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371for updated lake conditions and closure information. Fishing for walleye was slow to fair when using Rapala sinking minnows.
Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Wednesday morning was 353 cfs.
Bluewater Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 6. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using chicken liver near the dam.Visit Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpage or call 505-876-2391 for more information.
Cochiti Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 13.At that time, fishing for northern pike was slow to fair when using spinners. Fishing for crappie was slow to fair when using silver-and-black spinners.
El Vado Lake: The lake is open to boating and angling with a primitive boat ramp available at the Dam Day Use Area, as well as the main (concrete) boat ramp and courtesy dock at El Vado Lake State Park. 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 Yellow Corn PowerBait.
Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 20.9 cfs.
Navajo Lake: The most recent report was received Oct. 30. At that time, fishing for northern pike was good when using crankbaits. Snagging for kokanee was slow to fair.
Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 105 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 98.9 cfs. The most recent report was received Nov. 6. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using dry flies with nymph trailers above El Vado 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: Streamflow at Albuquerque Wednesday morning was 710 cfs.
San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Wednesday morning was 577 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was good when using Red Anneliese in the quality waters.
Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: Fishing for trout was very good when using salmon eggs. 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.
Tingley Beach: The most recent report was received Nov. 6. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using homemade dough bait.
Trout Lakes:The most recent report was received Oct. 30. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using green Pistol Pete flies.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Albuquerque Area Drains, Brazos River, Canjilon Lakes, Grants Riverwalk Pond, Heron Lake, Jackson Lake, Laguna del Campo, Lagunitas Lakes, Lake Farmington, Liam Knight Pond, McGaffey Lake, Rio Cebolla, Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Pond #1), San Gregorio Lake, Tiger Park Reservoir and Trout Lakes.
SOUTHWEST
SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK
Bill Evans Lake: Eric Ockerhausen caught one catfish on Nov. 17. He said, "I kayak trolled for trout for two hours and went back to the dock and put out a line with power bait while I was loading my gear and caught this catfish after about four minutes."
SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT
Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing conditions have been adversely affected in the aftermath of the Trout Fire.
Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using natural sent trout bait. Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using crawdads.
Elephant Butte Lake: The most recent report was received Oct. 30. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using carp and shad cut bait. Fishing for crappie was good when using white grubs.
Escondida Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 13. At that time, fishing for bass was slow when using curly tail jigs.
Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 63.9 cfs. The most recent report was received Oct. 30. At that time, fishing for smallmouth bass was slow to fair when using nightcrawler jigs.
Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 18.2 cfs.
Glenwood Pond: The most recent report was received Oct. 30. At that time, fishingfor trout was fair to good when using gold Joe’s Flies and worms under a bobber.
Quemado Lake: The lake is currently closed due to an algal bloom. It will reopen when the New Mexico Environment Department advises that the lake is safe for public use. For more information, visit the Gila National Forest website.
Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0 cfs.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Caballo Lake, Lake Roberts, Percha Dam, Rancho Grande Ponds, Snow Lake, Trees Lake and Young Pond.
SOUTHEAST
SOUTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK
Bonito Lake: Karen Griego-Peralta caught five trout using Garlic PowerBait.
Sumner Lake: Gabe Lind caught one smallmouth bass using a Panther Martin Spinner on Nov. 15.
SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT
Alto Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 13. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was slow to fair when using Jackhammer Chatterbaits.
Berrendo Creek: Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on this property.
Black River: Streamflow at Malaga Wednesday morning was 3.34 cfs.
Blue Hole Park Pond: The most recent report was received Oct. 23. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair using Whopper Ploppers.
Bonito Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using Garlic PowerBait. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.
Brantley Lake: The most recent report was received Oct. 30. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good when using plastic crawdads.
Chaparral Park Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 13. At that time, fishing for catfish was fair to good when using corn.
Eunice Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 6. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was very good when using black and blue chatterbaits and soft plastic crawfish.
Grindstone Reservoir: The most recent report was received Nov. 13. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using green leeches and red or purple squirmy worms. Grindstone Reservoir is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildlife impact closures, please see the Grindstone Reservoir Webpage before planning a visit.
Oasis Park Lake:The most recent report was received Oct. 30. At that time, fishing for smallmouth bass was good when using worms.
Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 20.1 cfs.
Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 30.5 cfs. Fishing conditions will be adversely affected for an extended period of time due to recent flooding in the area.
Santa Rosa Lake: The most recent report was received Oct. 23. At that time, fishing for smallmouth bass was fair to good when using crankbait.
Sumner Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass was good when using Panther Martin Spinners.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Bataan Lake, Bosque Redondo Lake, Bottomless Lakes, Brantley Lake, Carlsbad Municipal Lake, Corona Pond, Dennis Chavez Pond, Estancia Park Lake, Green Meadow Lake, Greene Acres Lake, Harry McAdams Park Pond, Jal Lake, Lake Van, Ned Houk Ponds, Perch Lake, Rio Bonito, Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond, Spring River Pond and Timberon Ponds.
TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES
Behind the Scenes at the Red River Hatchery
Meet Sidney Marek, recently promoted to Assistant Manager at the Red River Fish Hatchery, as she shares her vital role in supporting New Mexico's fish populations. As part of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish's effort to highlight the hardworking scientists behind conservation efforts, Sidney gives us an inside look at her day-to-day work and the importance of fish hatcheries in preserving the state's aquatic ecosystems. Join us in celebrating the science and passion that helps protect New Mexico’s natural resources!
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 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.
New Mexico Department of Game & Fish, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507
.png?upscale=true&width=308&upscale=true&name=NMDGF_Logo%20(1).png)
