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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.

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.

2025-26 Fishing Rules and Information Booklet Cover

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 Licenses from the 2024-2025 license year are no longer valid.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

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

NORTHEAST

NORTHEAST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Ute Lake: Mary Vang caught this catfish, estimated to weigh between 10-12 pounds, using a jig head with a 3-inch Gulp minnow on Sept. 20.

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Charette Lakes: Fishing for trout was good when using silver-and-yellow Panther Martin spinners.

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was 12.5 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. Fishing for trout was good when using spinners.

Eagle Nest Lake: 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 good when using flies and all kinds of spinners.

Monastery Lake: Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using PowerBait. The lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property.

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 72.3 cfs. The most recent report was received Sept. 4. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using PowerBait and good when using elk-hair caddis and Adams flies.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 35.1 cfs. The most recent report was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using worms below the Red River Hatchery.

Red River Hatchery: The most recent report was received Sept. 4. At that time, fishing for rainbow trout was good when using salmon eggs and slow to fair when using leech-like flies.

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 178 cfs. The most recent report was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using flies. Fishing for smallmouth bass was very good when using Pete’s spinner flies. Fishing for northern pike was good when using spinnerbaits.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 14.9 cfs.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 30 cfs.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was 13.8 cfs.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: The most recent report was received Sept. 4. At that time, fishing for trout was slow when using PowerBait and spinners.

Shuree Ponds: The most recent report was received Sept. 4. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair when using leech-like flies from a kayak.

Storrie Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 11. Fishing for bluegill was good when using worms.

Ute Lake: 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, Lake Maloya, Los Pinos River, Maxwell Lake 13, Red River City Ponds, Springer Lake and Stubblefield Lake.

NORTHWEST

NORTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

Bluewater Lake: Jeremy Pitts caught a 37-inch tiger muskie using a jointed minnow lure on Sept. 20. “Fishing has been very slow for a few weeks, so I was extremely happy for this one,” he said.

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 187 cfs.

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for tiger muskie was slow when using jointed minnow lures. 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 webpage or call 575-588-7247.

Fenton Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using PowerBait and very good when using hand-tied jig flies. Visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-829-3630 for updates.

Heron Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 4. At that time, fishing for smallmouth bass was slow when using gold Blue Fox Vibrax Wildeye Inline Spinners.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Wednesday morning was 13.1 cfs. Fishing for trout was very good when using brown-and-yellow Bob Hoppers on Jaramillo Creek.

Lagunitas Lakes: 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: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using Adams dry flies below Fenton Lake.

Rio Chama: The most recent report was received Sept. 4. At that time, fishing for trout below Abiquiu Lake was slow when using PowerBait, salmon eggs and nightcrawlers. Fishing for trout below El Vado Lake was good when using nightcrawlers. Streamflow below El Vado Lake Wednesday morning was 97.1 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Wednesday morning was 147 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 77 cfs.

San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Wednesday morning was 758 cfs. The most recent report was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for brown trout was very good when using Baetis WD-40 flies in the quality waters.

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, 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

Rio Grande: Anthony (Chiquito) Jaramillo caught five catfish using shrimp in the back ditch at Bernardo Waterfowl Management Area on Sept. 17.

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 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: 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: Fishing for catfish was very good when using chicken livers.

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 47.7 cfs.

Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 29.9 cfs.

Quemado Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 11. Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using PowerBait.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0 cfs. Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using shrimp in the back ditch at Bernardo Waterfowl Management 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

Chaparral Park Lake: Mateo caught his first bass using a white spinner bait on Sept. 17.

SOUTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Bataan Lake: Fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using shrimp.

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.

Bonito Lake: 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 good when using white spinner baits.

Corona Pond: The most recent report was received Sept. 4. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using chicken liver and hot dogs.

Eunice Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 18. At that time, fishing for 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.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Wednesday morning was 66.5 cfs.

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood on Wednesday morning was 34.7 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.”

Sumner Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 4. At that time, fishing for largemouth bass was good when using Texas-rigged Senkos.

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 and Timberon Ponds.

TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES

Free Fishing Weekend Set for Sept. 27-28

Anglers can fish for free in New Mexico on Sept. 27-28, as part of the state's Free Fishing Weekend.

Anyone can fish for free in public fishing waters throughout the state on Saturday, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28, which is also National Hunting and Fishing Day across the United States of America. All anglers must observe bag limits and all other rules and regulations. For more information, please visit the Department's website.

"This is a great time to take your family fishing and teach them a skill that will provide a lifetime of enjoyment," said Mike Sloane, director for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

Check out the video below to find out more on the importance of keeping youth, especially girls, involved in the sport. Take advantage of Free Fishing Weekend to get your family and our youth back on the water!

The Department has online resources to help you plan the perfect outing. With weekly fishing reports, an interactive fishing map, and fishing conditions by water body and species at your fingertips, a great fishing trip for you and your family awaits!

The Department reminds anglers and outdoor recreationists to “know before you go” and to contact land management agencies regarding additional regulations or restrictions on specific properties of interest before heading afield.

Helpful links for planning your trip include:

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.