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 Licenses from the 2024-2025 license year are no longer valid.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

Lake Maloya: Maryanne Montoya caught a 21-inch, 5-pound rainbow trout using Pink Lemonade PowerBait fishing off the bottom on her first cast of the evening on Oct. 24.

Nambe Lake: Patrick Goldbogen, age 9, of Santa Fe, won first place in the Nambe Lake Fall Fishing Derby on Oct. 25, reeling in an 18¾-inch, 3-pound, 3-ounce rainbow trout using a Panther Martin spinner. Patrick has only been fishing since August, but has quickly become quite proficient and loves the sport.

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was 14.3 cubic feet per second (cfs). The most recent report was received Oct. 23. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using a small black midge fly.

Eagle Nest Lake: The most recent report was received Oct. 23. At that time, fishing for Northern pike was slow using worms and salmon eggs. For updated lake conditions, 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: The most recent report was received Oct. 23. At that time, fishing for trout was good to very good when using grey bunny leeches, Joe's flies and Green PowerBait.

Lake Maloya: Fishing for trout was very good when using Pink Lemonade 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 77.1 cfs. The most recent report was received Oct. 23. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using Salmon Peach PowerBait.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 42.4 cfs. The most recent report was received on Oct. 16. At that time, 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. 23. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using beadhead nymphs and homemade dough bait.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 327 cfs. Fishing for brown trout was slow when using flies, spinners and worms.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 13 cfs. 

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 34.3 cfs.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was 13.1 cfs.

Shuree Ponds: The most recent report was received on Oct. 16. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using grasshopper-pattern and blowtorch flies.

Ute Lake: The most recent report was received Oct. 23. At that time, fishing for white bass, smallmouth bass and walleye was fair to good when using 3- and 4-inch Gulp minnows and Flicker Shad.

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, Lake Alice, Los Pinos River, Maxwell Lake 13, Morphy Lake, Red River Hatchery, Rio Costilla, Santa Cruz Reservoir, Springer Lake, Storrie Lake and Stubblefield Lake.

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Cochiti Lake: Larry Bernstein caught a catfish using a white fly on Oct. 23. “The line was heavy and I felt a head shake,” he said. “Then, the line had no more shakes. At the top of the water, he started fighting.”

Navajo Lake: Frank Jaramillo caught four northern pike using a crankbait on Oct. 12.

Navajo Lake: Michelle S. Jaramillo snagged a kokanee on Oct. 18.

Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: Austin Lujan, age 7, of Los Lunas, caught five trout using Rainbow PowerBait on Oct. 26. 

NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT

Abiquiu Lake: 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 623 cfs.

Bluewater Lake: The most recent report was received Oct. 23. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait. Visit Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpage or call 505-876-2391 for more information.

Canjilon Lakes: The most recent report was received Oct. 23. At that time, fishing for trout was very good with nightcrawlers. Fishing for trout at the middle lake was slow when using a Joe's fly. 

Cochiti Lake: Fishing for catfish was slow when using white flies. 

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 Orange, Pink and Garlic PowerBait.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 17.1 cfs. The most recent report was received Oct. 23. At that time, fishing for trout was slow when using worms and salmon eggs. 

Navajo Lake: 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 61.1 cfs. The most recent report was received Oct. 16. At that time, 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 305 cfs.

San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Wednesday morning was 367 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout in the bait waters was fair to good when using salmon eggs.

Seven Springs Kids’ Pond: Fishing for trout was very good when using Rainbow PowerBait. 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.

Trout Lakes: 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, 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, Tingley Beach and Trout Lakes.  

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHWEST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Elephant Butte Lake: Ray Padilla caught this catfish using carp and shad cut bait on Oct. 18. He had also caught a pair of blue catfish weighing 14 and 16 pounds earlier that morning at Caballo Lake.

Elephant Butte Lake: Vladimir Avina caught five crappie using white grubs on Oct. 18. “Fishing has been amazing at the Butte when using nightcrawlers and soft plastics,” he said. “I caught a few crappie on a white grub and a monster drum on a nightcrawler.”

Gila River: Michael L. Pangburn caught a smallmouth bass using a nightcrawler jig on Oct. 15.

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

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

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using carp and shad cut bait. Fishing for crappie was good when using white grubs.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 51.2 cfs. Fishing for smallmouth bass was slow to fair when using nightcrawler jigs.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 33.4 cfs.

Quemado Lake: The most recent report was received Oct. 9. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using Pautzke Fire Balls.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0 cfs. 

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: Bill Evans Lake, Caballo Lake, Escondida Lake, Glenwood Pond, Lake Roberts, Percha Dam, Rancho Grande Ponds, Snow Lake and Trees Lake. 

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Alto Lake: Valerie Wyatt caught five trout and one bluegill using worms on Oct. 25.

Grindstone Reservoir: Nathaniel Mascarenas caught five trout using a black-and-orange Mepps spinner on Oct. 25.

Grindstone Reservoir: Thomas Guzman and his wife caught five rainbow trout using worms on Oct. 23.

Oasis Park Lake: Jason Harthorn, age 11, caught this largemouth bass – the largest fish he has ever caught – using worms while fishing for bluegill on Oct. 24.

Sumner Lake: Jody Wolfe caught a flathead catfish using a ¼-ounce jig with a curly tail grub on 10-pound line while fishing for white bass on Oct. 25.

Sumner Lake: Scott Wolfe caught a flathead catfish using a ¼-ounce jig with a curly tail grub on 10-pound line while fishing for white bass on Oct. 25.

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Alto Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using worms. 

Berrendo Creek: Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on this property.

Black River: Streamflow at Malaga Wednesday morning was 5.32 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: Only fishing activities are permitted at Bonito Lake.

Brantley Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good when using plastic crawdads.

Eunice Lake: The most recent report was received Oct. 23. At that time, fishing for catfish was fair to good when using cherry Kool-Aid chicken breast. 

Grindstone Reservoir: Fishing for trout was very good when using orange-and-black Mepps spinners 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.

Oasis Park Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass was good when using worms.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 100 cfs. 

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 35.2 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 flathead catfish was good when using ¼-ounce jigs with curly tail grubs.

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, 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, Perch Lake, Rio Bonito, Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond, Spring River Pond and Timberon Ponds. 

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

How a Fish Hatchery Works

The Department's Red River Fish Hatchery raises 1.9 million or roughly 278,000 pounds of fish annually that are stocked across New Mexico. Learn more about the process in this short video!