New Mexico Fishing Report (4-14-15)

This fishing report, provided by Bill Dunn and 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 stocking report through April 3. Lake levels and stream flows.

CATCH OF THE WEEK:

Bluewater Lake: Mike Webb of Farmington caught a 44-inch tiger muskie April 10. He was using bacon. April 11, Julian Zamora caught and released a 39-inch tiger muskie. He was using a hot dog. April 11, Daniel Rodriguez of Santa Fe caught a 31.5-inch catfish. He was using hot dogs too. April10 and 11, Stephen Rankin, his wife Krystal and two kids, Kyle and Alexis, caught and released five tiger muskie ranging in size from 34 to 40 inches and one catfish which measured 29-inches and weighed 11 pounds. One muskie and catfish were caught on hot dogs while the rest were caught on an assortment of lures and spinners. 

Cochiti Lake: April 9, Anthony Kossar of Albuquerque teamed with William Schultz of Santa Fe to land a 38-inch northern pike. They were fishing from a boat and using cut bait. April 10, Robert Lury of Santa Fe caught a 27-inch walleye. He was using a jerk bait.

Eagle Nest Lake: April 10, Edward C’ de Baca caught a 34-inch northern pike. He was using Power Bait.

Manzano Lake: April 8, Isaac Gurule of Los Lunas caught a rainbow trout that measured over 21-inches. He was using a Pistol Pete.

Seven Springs Brood Pond: April 11, Savannah Ulibarri, 18-months, caught her first fish. It was a 12-inch rainbow caught on salmon peach Power Bait. 

Tingley Beach: April 12, Chris Griego of Albuquerque caught and released a 21-inch rainbow trout. He was fishing the Bob Gerding Catch and Release Pond and using an olive flashback hare’s ear.

The following came in too late for last week’s report but we felt they were definitely worth mentioning:

Eagle Nest Lake: April 4, Joella Gonzales-Gallegos caught a 37-inch northern pike. She was fishing with 6-pound test line and using bait.

Quemado Lake: April 5, Rosanna Sisneros caught a 24-inch rainbow trout. She was using worms.

If you have a catch of the week story or just want to tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing experience, send it to us at fishforfun2@hotmail.com. We may include your story in our next report.

For catches of the week, include name, date, and location, type of fish, length and weight if possible and bait, lure or fly used.

April 14

Northeast

Charette Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Cimarron River: Stream flow was 19 cfs near Cimarron. Trout fishing in the lower canyon below Clear Creek was good again this past week. Anglers did well using bead head hare’s ears, red San Juan worms, prince nymphs and yellow with red spot Panther Martins. We had no reports from the Gravel Pit Lakes.

Clayton Lake: Bank fishing was good using Power Bait for trout. Anglers fishing from boats also caught several trout. They were using silver Mepps spinners.  We had no reports on other species.

Conchas Lake: Fishing was fair to good using minnows for crappie. Fishing was good using jerk baits, swim baits, worms and tubes for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Fishing was good using crank baits, swim baits, jerk baits, spinners and grubs for white bass. We had no reports on other species. The surface water temp was in the mid to high 50s.

Coyote Creek: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Eagle Rock Lake: Closed through next fall. The closure will allow Chevron Mining to dredge the lake and reconstruct the area.

Eagle Nest Lake: The water level has come up and the boat ramp opened this past Saturday. The boat docks are not yet in place. Bank fishing was fair using Power Bait, roe sacs and salmon eggs for trout. A few perch were caught by anglers using worms. Fishing for pike was fair using Power Bait and large flies. We had no reports on other species. The first annual Pike and Carp Tournament will be held May 2nd and 3rd. For more information call (505) 974-9168.

Gallinas River: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Hopewell Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week. 

Lake Alice: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Lake Maloya: Fishing was very good using corn and Power Bait for trout. A few were also caught by anglers using Pistol Petes. The Sugarite Canyon State Park annual Fishing Derby will be held May 30-June 7 with a free Kids Derby on June 6. For more information or early registration call (575) 445-5607.

Los Pinos: Fishing was fair to good using worms, salmon eggs, bead head prince nymphs and copper John Barrs for trout.

Maxwell Lake 13: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Monastery Lake: Fishing was fair to good using Pistol Petes, worms and Power Bait for trout.

Morphy Lake: Fishing was slow. The boat ramp is closed but the lake is accessible with canoes and kayaks. 

Cowles Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Pecos River: Stream flow on Monday was 147 cfs. Trout fishing was good using wooly buggers, San Juan worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs and worms. Antonio Vigil caught one really nice brown trout while fishing near Terrero. He was using yellow Power Bait. 

Red River: Water flow near the hatchery on Monday was 90 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week. A fish habitat and angler access project near the hatchery is underway and expected to cause elevated water turbidity. Please stay out of the construction area. The project is expected to affect fishing in the area until June.

Red River City Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Rio Costilla: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Rio Grande: Stream flow on Monday morning at the Taos Junction Bridge was 729 cfs. Fishing was slow for all species. 

Rio Hondo: Stream flow near Valdez was 28 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

Rio Pueblo: Stream flow near Penasco was 76 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

Santa Barbara: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: This water remains closed to boating while the Bureau of Land Management renovates the north lake camp ground, boat launch, picnic area and main access road. The plan is to have all work completed by the end of July. The only fishing access at this time is walk-in from the overlook area. Anglers have to traverse steep banks to access fishing. Fishing was slow to fair using Fisher Chick spinners, Panther Martins, worms, salmon eggs and Power Bait for a mix of brown and rainbow trout. We had no reports on other species. 

Shuree Ponds: Closed until July 1.

Springer Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Storrie Lake: Fishing was good using salmon eggs and Power Bait for trout. We had no reports on other species.

Stubblefield Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Ute Lake: Fishing was good using minnows, crank baits, jerk baits and grubs for walleye. Fishing was fair to good using soft plastics, crank baits and jerk baits for smallmouth bass. Fishing for white bass slowed during the week but picked up over the weekend for anglers trolling crank baits and spinners. We had no reports on other species. The surface water temp was in the high 50s.

Northwest

Abiquiu Lake: Fishing was fair using lipless crank baits and spinner baits for smallmouth bass. A few walleye were caught by anglers using crank baits and spinner/night crawler rigs. We had no reports on other species. The surface water temp was between 51 and 55 degrees.

Animas River: Water flow near Aztec on Monday morning was 457 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

Albuquerque Area Drains: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Bluewater Lake: Fishing was fair to good using hot dogs, swim baits and top water lures for tiger musky. Night fishing was fair using hot dogs and stink bait for catfish and tiger musky. We had no reports on other species. The only open boat ramp is the primitive ramp located south of the main boat ramp. The surface water temp was in the low to mid 50s. Anglers should be aware that it is illegal to use bait fish at this lake. 

Brazos River: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Canjilon Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Chama River: Monday morning water flows below El Vado and Abiquiu were 98 cfs and 236 cfs respectively. Fishing below Abiquiu was slow. Fishing below El Vado was fair using wooly buggers, San Juan worms, worms and salmon eggs for trout.

Cochiti Lake: Fishing was slow but there were a few northern pike, walleye, catfish and smallmouth bass caught by anglers using cut bait, crank baits, swim baits and jerk baits. We had no reports on other species. The surface water temp was in the low to mid 50s.

El Vado Lake: Fishing was very good using worms, Power Bait and salmon eggs for a mixed bag of brown and rainbow trout. We had no reports on other species.

Fenton Lake: Fishing was good using olive Pistol Petes, Power Bait, worms and salmon eggs for trout. 

Heron Lake: Bank fishing was fair using cut bait, Power Bait, Panther Martins and Daredevles for a mixed bag of lake trout, rainbow trout and brown trout. Work is continuing on the boat ramp extension. The water level rose about two feet this past week.

Jackson Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Jemez Waters: Stream flow near Jemez on Monday morning was 108 cfs and a bit murky. Trout fishing on the Jemez below Battleship Rock was very good using worms and salmon eggs. A group of six youngsters had a great time there Saturday as all six caught their limits. Fishing on the Rio Cebolla was good using worms and salmon eggs. Fishing on the San Antonio was fair to good using small streamers. 

Navajo Lake: Fishing was very good using minnows and small grubs and tubes for crappie. This past weekend, Lonnie Garrison, his son, K.C. Garrison, dad, Ken Garrison and uncle, J. D. Garrison, fished La Jara Canyon and caught 36 Crappie. They were using minnows. Fishing was fair using crank baits, swim baits and jerk baits for northern pike, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.  A few rainbow trout were caught by anglers using Power Bait and roe sacs.  We had no reports on other species. The surface temp was in the low to mid 50s.

San Gregorio Lake: We had no reports from anglers.

San Juan: Water flow below Navajo Lake on Monday morning was 371 cfs. Visibility was a little over a foot as it was last week. Trout fishing through the Quality Waters was fair to good using RS2s, foam wing emergers, scintillas, desert storms, red larva, olive streamers and bead head pheasant tails. There are some hatches coming off but they are sporadic. Fishing through the bait waters was fair to good using salmon eggs, San Juan worms, RS2s, Gulp eggs and wooly buggers.

Seven Springs Brood Pond: Fishing was good using Power Bait, worms, salmon eggs and assorted flies for trout. 

Tingley Beach Ponds: Fishing at the Central Pond was fair using spinners, Power Bait, salmon eggs and homemade dough bait for trout. Fishing was good using white spinner baits for largemouth bass. Fishing at the Youth Pond was good using salmon eggs, Power Bait and Pistol Petes. Fishing at the Bob Gerding Catch and Release Pond was fair to good using flashback hare’s ears and leeches for trout.

Trout Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Southwest

Alumni Pond: Fishing was fair to good using Pistol Petes, Power Bait, salmon eggs and spinners for trout. We had no reports on other species.

Bear Canyon: Fishing was fair to good using salmon eggs, Power Bait, worms, homemade dough bait and small spoons for trout.

Bill Evans Lake: Fishing was fair to good using worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait and Daredevles for trout. We had no reports on other species.

Caballo Lake: Fishing was fair using crank baits, jerk baits, minnows and grubs for a mixed bag of walleye and white bass. We had no reports on other species. The surface water temp was in the high 50s.

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing was fair to good using crank baits, spinner baits and curly tail grubs for white bass. Fishing for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass was fair using chigger craws, swim baits, jerk baits, tubes and crank baits. Fishing was slow to fair using minnows for crappie. Fishing was fair to good using stink bait and dead minnows for catfish. We had no reports on other species. The surface water temp ranged from the high 50s to the low 60s. 

Escondida Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Gila River: Stream flow as of Monday morning was 129 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

Glenwood Pond: Fishing was good using Power Bait and salmon eggs for trout. 

Lake Roberts: Construction update: Modifications to the dam and spillway have been completed. Now awaiting approval for the engineer’s specifications to fix the outlet pipe. Will provide additional updates as they become available. We had no reports from anglers this week.

Percha Dam: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Quemado Lake: Fishing was slow for all species.

Rio Grande: Stream flow below Elephant Butte on Monday morning was 1.1 cfs. We had no reports from anglers.

Snow Lake: Fishing was good using salmon eggs, Power Bait and wooly buggers for trout. 

Young Pond: Fishing was fair using salmon eggs, Power Bait and worms for trout. We had no reports on other species.

Southeast

Bataan Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Black River: Stream flow at Malaga on Monday was 23 cfs. Trout fishing was fair using salmon eggs and worms.

Blue Hole Park Pond:  Fishing was good using salmon eggs, Power Bait and small spoons for trout.

Bonito Lake: Closed until further notice. 

Bosque Redondo: Fishing was fair to good using Power Bait, salmon eggs, homemade dough bait and Pistol Petes for trout. We had no reports on other species.

Bottomless Lakes: Trout fishing was fair using yellow Power Bait and salmon eggs. Fishing pressure was light. 

Brantley Lake: Fishing was slow to fair using crank baits and jerk baits for largemouth bass. We had no reports on other species. Anglers should practice catch-and-release here as high levels of DDT have been detected in some fish. 

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: Fishing was fair using assorted colors of Power Bait for trout. We had no reports on other species.

Chaparral Park Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

El Rito Creek: Fishing was slow to fair using worms, Power Bait and salmon eggs for trout.

Eunice Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Green Meadow Lake:  We had no reports from anglers this week.

Greene Acres Lake: Fishing was slow to fair using Power Bait, salmon eggs and Pistol Petes for trout. Fishing pressure was light.

Grindstone Reservoir: Fishing was fair to good using Power Bait, Super Dupers and Kastmasters for trout. We had no reports on other species.

Jal Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Lake Van: Fishing was fair using Power Bait, worms, homemade dough bait, Panther Martins and Kastmasters for trout. We had no reports on other species.

Oasis Park Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Pecos River: Stream flow below Sumner on Monday was 101 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

Perch Lake: Fishing was fair to good using Power Bait and salmon eggs for trout. 

Ruidoso River: Stream flow at Hollywood on Monday was 45 cfs. Trout fishing was fair to good using hare’s ears, copper John Barrs and salmon eggs.

Santa Rosa Lake: Fishing was slow for all species with just a few bass caught by anglers using crank baits and jigs. The surface water temp was in the low to mid 50s.

Sumner Lake: Fishing was fair using crank baits, jerk baits and spinner baits for a mixed bag of smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. We had no reports on other species. The surface water temp was in the mid 50s.

REMINDER TO ALL ANGLERS: The new license year began April 1.