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.
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 Licenses from the 2024-2025 license year are no longer valid.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: Jonathon Litefoot and his friends combined to catch 15 rainbow trout using Garlic PowerBait and worms on Sept. 25.
Hopewell Lake: Thomas E. Chrobocinski caught, photographed and released 40 trout ranging in length from 10-21 inches using Joe’s flies on Sept. 23.
Lake Maloya: Maryanne Montoya caught a 23-inch, 5.8-pound trout using Pink Lemonade PowerBait on Sept. 26.
Pecos River: Sam L. had a successful day of trout fishing using worms on Sept. 21.
Red River: Robert Ortiz caught and released multiple brown, brook and rainbow trout using hand-tied flies in the town of Red River on Sept. 19.
Red River City Ponds: Robert and Madison caught and released 20+ trout using bead head nymphs and homemade dough bait on Sept. 19. It was Robert’s first time fly fishing and the first time using Madison’s new bait rod.
Rio Grande: Seth Hardy caught and released several rainbow trout, cutbows and brown trout, including this 23-inch rainbow, using an olive-colored, self-tied streamer fly on Sept. 27.
Rio Hondo: Roberto Trujillo caught this trout on his last cast of the day using a black and gold Panther Martin spinner on Sept. 28.
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).
Cowles Ponds: The most recent report was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using worms.
Coyote Creek: The most recent report was received Sept. 11. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using spinners.
Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing for rainbow trout was good when using Garlic PowerBait and worms. The New Mexico Environment Department has reported a potentially harmful algae bloom at the lake and the public is advised to take precautions, including keeping pets out of the water and avoiding swimming in the algae bloom. Visit the New Mexico Environment Department's News Releases page for more information.
Hopewell Lake:Fishing for trout was very good when using Joe’s flies.
Lake Maloya: Fishing for trout was very good when using Pink Lemonade PowerBait.
Morphy Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using Salmon Peach PowerBait.
Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 69.2 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using worms.
Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 36.3 cfs.Fishing for brown trout was fair to good when using hand-tied flies in the town of Red River.
Red River City Ponds: Fishing for trout was very good when using bead head nymphs and homemade dough bait.
Rio Costilla: The most recent report was received Sept. 11. Fishing for trout was slow when using size 16-18 bead head Baetis Nymph flies past the fish barrier.
Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 191 cfs. Fishing for brown trout was slow to fair when using black and gold Panther Martin spinners. Fishing for rainbow trout was good when using dry flies, streamer flies and nymphs. Fishing for bass was good when using yellow-body Panther Martin spinners.
Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 13 cfs. Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using black and gold Panther Martin spinners.
Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 26 cfs.
Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was 13.4 cfs.
Storrie Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 11. Fishing for bluegill was good when using worms.
Ute Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow when using jig heads with 3-inch Gulp minnows.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Cabresto Lake, Clayton Lake, Conchas Lake, Eagle Rock Lake, Gallinas River, Harris Pond, Lake Alice, Los Pinos River, Maxwell Lake 13, Red River Hatchery, Shuree Ponds, Springer Lake and Stubblefield Lake.
NORTHWEST
NORTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK
Abiquiu Lake: Larry Bernstein caught his first brown trout using a fly on Sept. 9 – his first time fishing at Abiquiu Lake.
Bluewater Lake: Jeremy Pitts caught a monster tiger muskie using a chartreuse spinnerbait on Sept. 30. “When I hooked this, I knew this was potentially a record, but wanted it to live,” he said. “So I marked its length on the boat, and later measured it at 46.5 inches. It was over 30 pounds, as I had to wrestle with it. I’m glad it’s still swimming around!” (Editor's Note: The state-record tiger muskie was caught at Bluewater Lake in 2012 by Justin Easley, and measured 46 inches in length and 31 pounds, 14 ounces in weight.)
Fenton Lake: Elijah Salazar caught six trout using black-and-red zebra midges on Sept. 22.
Fenton Lake: Gio caught five trout, with the largest measuring 18.5 inches, using a dry fly on his first fly-fishing adventure with his uncle on Sept. 28.
Fenton Lake: Mary Acosta had a successful day of trout fishing using Garlic and Salmon Peach PowerBait on Sept. 19.
Jemez Waters: Gabriela Lopez Escobedo caught and released 15 trout on the San Antonio using midge-pattern dry flies on Sept. 24.
San Juan River: Rick Lamery caught a brown trout using PowerBait PowerEggs on Sept. 26. He used two white eggs and one red egg.
NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT
Abiquiu Lake: 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 182 cfs.
Bluewater Lake:Fishing for tiger muskie was slow when using chartreuse spinnerbaits. Visit Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpage or call 505-876-2391 for more information.
Canjilon Lakes:The most recent report was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using a variety of flies and lures.
Cochiti Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 11. Fishing for northern pike was slow to fair when using frogs.
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 dry flies and black-and-red zebra midges and slow to fair when using Garlic and Salmon PowerBait. Visit the park’s webpageor call the park office at 575-829-3630 for updates.
Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 14.8 cfs. 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, fishing for trout was fair to good when using black Woolly Buggers and Rooster Tails.
Navajo Lake:The most recent report was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was slow to fair when using Whopper Ploppers and good when using worms.
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 97.1 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 27.7 cfs. 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 81.6 cfs.
San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Wednesday morning was 603 cfs. Fishing for brown trout was good in the bait section when using PowerBait PowerEggs.
Seven Springs Kids’ Pond:The most recent report was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using black Woolly Buggers. 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 Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for bluegill was slow to fair when using Siberian Titan Salmon Eggs.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Albuquerque Area Drains, Brazos River, 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 and Trout Lakes.
SOUTHWEST
SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK
Quemado Lake: Austyn Riley caught his limit of trout using Pautzke Fire Balls on Sept. 28 while taking part in the Department’s Family Small Game Hunting Camp.
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.
Caballo Lake: The lake is now open to motorized boat use and the boat ramp has reopened, as water levels have returned to normal after work to remove excessive debris from the dam’s intake structure. Visit Caballo Lake State Park’s website for more information.
Elephant Butte Lake:The most recent report was received Sept. 25. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was good when using live minnows. Fishing for catfish was good when using worms and minnows. Fishing for white bass, walleye, drum and crappie was fair to good when using 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 42.2 cfs.
Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 32 cfs.
Quemado Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using Pautzke Fire Balls.
Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0 cfs. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using worms in the San Marcial area.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Glenwood Pond, Lake Roberts, Percha Dam, Rancho Grande Ponds, Snow Lake, Trees Lake and Young Pond.
SOUTHEAST
SOUTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK
Pecos River: Daniel Flores and his son went on their first fishing trip together on Sept. 17, and the younger Flores was the first to catch something, reeling in a catfish using a hot dog on Sept. 17.
SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT
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 14.2 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.
Chaparral Park Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using chicken livers.
Eunice Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishingfor largemouth bass was fair to good when using Megabass and Yozuri jerkbaits.
Grindstone Reservoir: 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 slow when using worms.
Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 98.8 cfs. 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 42.7 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 Sept. 11. Fishing for walleye was good when using green spoons. Fishing for largemouth bass was very good when using “anything green.”
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Alto Lake, 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, 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, Spring River Pond, Sumner Lake and Timberon Ponds.
TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES
What’s Biting This Fall?
Fall is here, meaning crisp, cool mornings and pleasant, warm afternoons – pretty much ideal conditions to enjoy New Mexico’s great outdoors!
And there’s no better way than grabbing your fishing gear and heading out to one of the state’s lakes or streams for a relaxing day of fishing. But the most important question all anglers want to know the answer to is: what can I catch? Fortunately, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish can help! The Department’s Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner website has information about many popular fishing spots across the state, with historical data taken from past fishing reports like this one to show what’s biting where. If you’re not sure where you want to go, but you know what you want to catch, we can help with that, too.
For instance, if you’re looking for catfish, Elephant Butte Lake historically has pretty good fishing through mid-November. However, fishing for catfish at Cochiti Lake typically peaks in late August and hits its low point in mid-to-late October.
October also marks the beginning of the kokanee snagging season at Eagle Nest Lake, as well as parts of Navajo Lake. If catching kokanee salmon is your thing, then late October through early November might be the perfect time to head north to Navajo Lake, and late November could be a great opportunity to check out Heron Lake.
Looking to reel in a walleye? Fall is one of the best times to head to Ute Lake, with a steady improvement in fishing conditions from mid-October into early November.
In fact, fishing for white bass at Ute Lake also improves into late November, while fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass typically falls off in late October.
This is just a sampling of the data that is available on the Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner page. There’s also an interactive Fishing Waters Map with details on hundreds of fishing access points across New Mexico, so you can pick the perfect spot for your next trip.
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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