Editor's Note: Anglers have taken to our new iFish form like a fish to water (sorry for the pun)! In fact, your response has gone far beyond anything we could have imagined. We're continually impressed by the quantity and quality of the photos you send us every week. However, while we'd love to be able to run every photo we receive, technical limitations keep us from being able to do so effectively.
That doesn't mean your submissions are being ignored, though. Far from it, in fact. The Department has started a Weekly Wall of Fame, where every photo that we receive will be published. You'll be able to find the link to each week's Wall of Fame, as well as the Weekly Fishing and Stocking Report and the iFish form, on the Department's website. You can also view this week's Wall of Fame by clicking here. Feel free to share the link with your friends and family – because what fishing trip would be complete without a little bragging?
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 Licenses from the 2024-2025 license year are no longer valid.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 CATCH OF THE WEEK
Red River: Briana Paiz caught two rainbow trout, including this 18-incher, using worms below the Red River Hatchery on Oct. 13. “I caught my personal-best after my friend and buddy lost it,” she said. “It took two days to catch this guy.”
NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT
Charette Lakes: The most recent report was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using silver-and-yellow Panther Martin spinners.
Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was 13.4 cubic feet per second (cfs). Fishing for trout was fair to good when using PowerBait.
Eagle Nest Lake:The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for rainbow trout was good when using Garlic PowerBait and worms. For updated lake conditions and potential hazards, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.
Harris Pond: The most recent report was received Oct. 9. At that time, fishing for catfish was good when using roast beef.
Hopewell Lake:Fishing for trout was very good when using Peach PowerBait.
Lake Maloya: The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using Pink Lemonade PowerBait.
Monastery Lake:The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was 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.
Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 116 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using Pautzke Fire Balls.
Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 41.2 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was slow below the Red River Hatchery when using worms.
Red River City Ponds: The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using bead head nymphs and homemade dough bait.
Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 207 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using worms and Panther Martin spinners.
Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 17 cfs. The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair when using black and gold Panther Martin spinners.
Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 38.2 cfs.
Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was 14.4 cfs.
Shuree Ponds: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using grasshopper-pattern and blowtorch flies.
Ute Lake: Fishing for white bass, catfish and walleye was fair to good when using 4-inch Gulp minnows on 3/8-inch jig heads.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Cabresto Lake, Clayton Lake, Conchas Lake, Cowles Ponds, Coyote Creek, Eagle Rock Lake, Gallinas River, Lake Alice, Los Pinos River, Maxwell Lake 13, Morphy Lake, Red River Hatchery, Rio Costilla, Santa Cruz Reservoir, Shuree Ponds, Springer Lake, Storrie Lake and Stubblefield Lake.
NORTHWEST
NORTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK
Rio Chama: Kolt Henderson caught and released eight trout using flies below Abiquiu Dam on Oct. 9.
NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT
Abiquiu Lake:The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for brown trout was fair to good when using flies. Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371for updated lake conditions and closure information.
Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Wednesday morning was 4,430 cfs.
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 webpageor call 575-588-7247.
Fenton Lake:Fishing for trout was good when using live nightcrawlers.Visit the park’s webpageor call the park office at 575-829-3630 for updates.
Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 31.4 cfs. The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using midge-pattern dry flies on the San Antonio.
Lagunitas Lakes: The most recent report was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishingfor trout was fair to good when using black Woolly Buggers and Rooster Tails.
Navajo Lake:Fishing for northern pike was good when using crankbaits and spinnerbaits.
Rio Cebolla: The most recent report was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using Adams dry flies below Fenton Lake.
Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 501 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 150 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using flies below Abiquiu 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 106 cfs.
San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Wednesday morning was 418 cfs. Fishing for trout was good at the Texas Hole when using size-20 Parachute Adams flies.
Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: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.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Albuquerque Area Drains, Brazos River, Canjilon Lakes, Cochiti Lake, Grants Riverwalk Pond, Heron Lake, Jackson Lake, Laguna del Campo, Lake Farmington, Liam Knight Pond, McGaffey Lake, Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Pond #1), San Gregorio Lake, Tiger Park Reservoir, Tingley Beach and Trout Lakes.
SOUTHWEST
SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK
Elephant Butte Lake: Christina R. caught some small catfish, a few crappies, one white bass and this monster smallmouth bass using worms from the shore on Oct. 11.
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 Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for catfish was very good when using jerky.
Elephant Butte Lake:Fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using worms and minnows from the bank. Fishing for white bass, crappie and smallmouth bass was fair to good when using worms and minnows from the bank.
Escondida Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for catfish was very good when using chicken livers.
Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 131 cfs.
Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 38.7 cfs.
Quemado Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using Pautzke Fire Balls.
Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0 cfs. The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for catfish was fair to good when using worms in the San Marcial area.
Young Pond: The most recent report was received Oct. 9. At that time, fishing for bluegill was very good when using hot dogs and shrimp.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Caballo Lake, Glenwood Pond, Lake Roberts, Percha Dam, Rancho Grande Ponds, Snow Lake and Trees Lake.
SOUTHEAST
SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK
Grindstone Reservoir: Carmen Gonzales caught and released eight trout using PowerBait on Oct. 12.
SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT
Alto Lake: The most recent report was received Oct. 9. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using Green PowerBait.
Bataan Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using shrimp.
Berrendo Creek: Please visit the Open Gate webpagefor more information on this property.
Black River: Streamflow at Malaga Wednesday morning was 13.9 cfs.
Bonito Lake:The most recent report was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair when using PowerBait.Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.
Brantley Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good when using plastic crawdads.
Chaparral Park Lake:The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for catfish was fair to good when using chicken livers.
Grindstone Reservoir: Fishing for trout was very good when using flies, PowerBait, Super Dupers and worms. Grindstone Reservoir is currently open for fishing. Due to changing wildlife impact closures, please see the Grindstone Reservoir Webpage before planning a visit.
Lake Van:Fishing for catfish was good when using Cherry Kool-Aid-soaked gizzards.
Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 61.6 cfs. The most recent report was received Oct. 2. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using hot dogs at Pecos River Park in Carlsbad.
Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 38.6 cfs. Fishing conditions will be adversely affected for an extended period of time due to recent flooding in the area.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Blue Hole Park Pond, Bosque Redondo Lake, Bottomless Lakes, Brantley Lake, Carlsbad Municipal Lake, Chaparral Park Lake, Corona Pond, Dennis Chavez Pond, Estancia Park Lake, Eunice 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, Sumner Lake and Timberon Ponds.
TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES
Meet Tim Lorenzen
Every day, hardworking men and women drive across New Mexico, bringing fish from the Department’s hatcheries to waterbodies throughout the state to conserve native species while also providing angling opportunities.
These fine folks bring more than just fish with them to work each morning – they bring passion for the work they do. Tim Lorenzen is just one of those whose work in the hatchery and time behind the wheel are crucial to the Department’s efforts to allow for conservation and responsible recreation.
Check out the video below to learn more about Tim, the newly minted Hatchery Manager at Rock Lake Hatchery in Santa Rosa.
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
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