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.

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 Licenses from the 2024-2025 license year are no longer valid.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

The New Mexico Environment Department has reported a potentially harmful algae bloom at various waterbodies throughout the state. Visit the New Mexico Environment Department's News Releases page for more information.

Consult local government websites for information regarding specific city and town fishing access. 

NORTHEAST

NORTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Eagle Nest Lake: Val Armijo of Albuquerque caught his limit of rainbow trout, ranging from 16 to 22 inches in length, using Salmon Peach PowerBait on Nov. 20.

Lake Maloya: Jerome P. Haddock caught and released 10 trout using Rainbow PowerBait on Nov. 23. “First snow in Raton — the trout were biting like crazy,” he said.

Pecos River: Nicole Romero caught five trout, including one that measured 24 inches long and 13 inches around, using worms on Nov. 21.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Vinny and Mitch caught 10 trout using lures on Nov. 21. “Cold day, but fun,” they said.

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was 5.68 cubic feet per second (cfs). 

Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using Salmon Peach PowerBait. 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: The most recent report was received Nov. 20. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using yellow glitter Gulp and spinners.

Lake Maloya: Fishing for trout was very good when using Rainbow PowerBait.

Monastery Lake: The lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property. 

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 28.8 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using worms.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 35.1 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 759 cfs.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 6.73 cfs. 

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 12.9 cfs.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was 7.03 cfs.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using lures.

Ute Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 20. At that time, 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

Belen Riverside Drain: Penelope Shirley caught five trout using salmon eggs on Nov. 20. “I have to catch fish for dinner because no one else can,” she said.

Fenton Lake: Johnny Rodriguez, age 10, of Albuquerque, caught his first fish — a trout measuring 22 inches long and weighing 3 pounds — using Garlic PowerBait on Nov. 18. Johnny is a member of Royal Rangers NM.

Tingley Beach: Penelope Shirley caught three trout using Garlic PowerBait while fishing with her great-grandparents, Lily and Orlando, on Nov. 19.

NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Abiquiu Lake: Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371 for updated lake conditions and closure information. The most recent report was received Nov. 20. At that time, fishing for walleye was slow to fair when using Rapala sinking minnows.

Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Wednesday morning was 349 cfs.

Belen Riverside Drain: Fishing for trout was good when using salmon eggs.

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 fair to good when using Garlic PowerBait.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 20.9 cfs. 

Navajo Lake: Snagging for kokanee was slow.

Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 99.8 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 125 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 798 cfs.

San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Wednesday morning was 289 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: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using Garlic PowerBait.

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, Navajo Lake, Rio Cebolla, Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Pond #1), San Gregorio Lake, Tiger Park Reservoir and Trout Lakes.  

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Anglers have recently reported fair-to-good conditions for trout fishing and good conditions for largemouth bass fishing at Bill Evans Lake.

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing conditions have been adversely affected in the aftermath of the Trout Fire.

Bill Evans Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 20. At that time, fishing for catfish was fair to good when using natural scent trout bait. Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using crawdads. 

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

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 146 cfs.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 42.8 cfs.

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, Elephant Butte Lake, Glenwood Pond, Lake Roberts, Percha Dam, Rancho Grande Ponds, Snow Lake, Trees Lake and Young Pond.  

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Bonito Lake: Brian Powers caught eight trout — seven rainbow trout and one brook trout — and kept four using a multicolored Kastmaster and worms on Nov. 22.

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 4.58 cfs.

Bonito Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using multicolored Kastmasters, worms and size-12 nymph flies. Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.

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.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 20.1 cfs. 

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 4.59 cfs. Fishing conditions will be adversely affected for an extended period of time due to recent flooding in the area.

Sumner Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 20. At that time, 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, Blue Hole Park Pond, 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, Oasis Park Lake, Perch Lake, Rio Bonito, Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond, Santa Rosa Lake, Spring River Pond and Timberon Ponds.  

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

A Reason to Be Thankful

The Department and its partners have worked for decades to restore New Mexico’s state fish, the Rio Grande cutthroat trout, to its historic range. That work has culminated in the decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to remove the species from protected status under the Endangered Species Act — a reason to celebrate, but far from the end of the Department’s efforts to ensure that Rio Grande cutthroat trout continue to thrive.

Check out this article and read all about how the Department and its partners have worked together to restore the RCGT!