NM Game and Fish Fishing Report April 19, 2016

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 March 18. Lake levels and stream flows.

Attention Anglers: Don’t get caught fishing with an expired license. The new season started April 1. Buy a new license online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us, or over the telephone with the department’s Information Center at 888-248-6866. Many bait and tackle, fly shops, sporting goods and convenience stores also sell fishing licenses. Remember to get your new license today!

Catches of the week:

Cochiti Lake: Joshua Kitting of Albuquerque caught a 4-pound smallmouth bass April 15. He was using a crawdad. Richard Jimenez of Albuquerque caught a 26-inch northern pike April 15. He was using a jerk bait.
Elephant Butte: Tony Cutbirth, 61, caught his largest bass to date April 11. It was a 3-pound, 2-ounce, largemouth bass. He was using plastics.
Tingley Beach: Wayne Garcia of Albuquerque caught and released two nice largemouth bass April 13 and 14. He was using swim baits and jigs. Brye Campbell of Albuquerque caught a 22-inch rainbow trout and several other fish in the 10 to 15 inch range while fishing the Central Pond April 15. All of the fish were caught on salmon eggs.

The following reports came in late but we felt they were definitely worth mentioning:

Clayton Lake: Jonny Max Leal, 6 of Clayton, caught a 19-inch rainbow trout April 10. He was using PowerBait.
Conchas Lake: Sara Weber of Albuquerque, caught and released an almost 4-pound smallmouth bass April 10. She was using a crank bait.
Pecos River: Nicolas Montano of Albuquerque caught a 22-inch rainbow trout April 9. He was using a prince nymph.
Santa Rosa Lake: Joan Chavez of Santa Rosa caught and released her first smallmouth bass which was approximately 20 inches in length April 9. She was breaking in her new fishing combo and using a chartreuse curly tail grub.

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, age, hometown, date, and location, type of fish, length and weight if possible and bait, lure or fly used.

April 19

Northeast

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

Clayton Lake: Fishing was slow to fair using homemade dough bait for rainbow trout. Fishing was fair using crank baits and jerk baits for walleye. We had no reports on other species.

Cimarron River: Stream flow near Cimarron on Monday was 12 cfs. Trout fishing was fair using worms, red annelids and San Juan worms. We had no reports from the Gravel Pit Lakes.

Conchas Lake: Fishing was very good using crank baits, spinnerbaits, creature baits, jerk baits, swim baits and plastic worms for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Fishing was very good using crank baits, jerk baits, grubs and sassy shad for white bass. Fishing was fair using shrimp, liver and stink bait for catfish. Fishing was fair to good using jig and minnow combinations, curly tail grubs, jerk baits and crank baits for walleye. We had no reports on other species. The surface water temp was in the mid 50 to high 50s.

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

Coyote Creek: Fishing was fair using worms and salmon eggs for trout.

Eagle Rock Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Eagle Nest Lake: The boat docks are back in the water and the lake is open to boating. Bank fishing was fair using PowerBait, worms and salmon eggs for rainbow trout. A few trout were also caught by anglers trolling Rapalas. We had no reports on other species. The Annual Pike and Carp Tournament will be held May 7 and 8. For more information, call (505) 485-8328.

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

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

Lake Alice: Fishing was good using PowerBait, salmon eggs, worms and Pistol Petes for trout.

Lake Maloya: Fishing was good using PowerBait, salmon eggs, Gulp eggs and Pistol Petes for rainbow trout up to 16 inches. The best reports this past week have come from anglers using PowerBait.

Los Pinos River: Fishing was good using salmon eggs and worms for trout.

Maxwell Lake 13: Fishing was good using PowerBait, salmon eggs and worms under a bobber for trout.

Monastery Lake: Fishing was good using PowerBait, Gulp eggs, Pistol Petes and worms for trout.

Morphy Lake: Fishing was fair to good using Pistol Petes, PowerBait, salmon eggs, wooly buggers and worms for trout.

Pecos River: Stream flow on Monday was 168 cfs. Fishing this past week was very good using prince nymphs, egg patterns, San Juan worms, stimulators, wooly buggers and worms for trout.

Red River: Stream flow below the hatchery on Monday was 71 cfs. Fishing was good using worms, PowerBait, San Juan worms and hare’s ear nymphs for trout.

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

Rio Costilla: Stream flow near Costilla on Monday morning was 38cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

Rio Grande: Stream flow on Monday at the Taos Junction Bridge was 614 cfs. Fishing was slow to fair using worms, Kastmasters, wooly buggers, San Juan worms and Panther Martin spinners for trout. We had no reports on other species.

Rio Hondo: Stream flow near Valdez on Monday was 23 cfs. Fishing was good using wooly buggers and mayfly nymphs for trout.

Rio Pueblo: Stream flow near Penasco on Monday was 73 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Fishing was fair to good using worms, PowerBait, small crank baits, Kastmasters and Pistol Petes for trout. We had no reports on other species.

Shuree Ponds: Opens for the season July 1.

Springer Lake: Boats can be launched as the lake is full at this time. We had no reports from anglers this week.

Storrie Lake: Fishing was fair using salmon eggs and salmon peach PowerBait for trout. A few trout were also caught by anglers using small Kastmasters. We had no reports on other species.

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

Ute Lake: Fishing was fair to good using swim baits, grubs, tubes, salt craws and plastic worms for smallmouth bass and an occasional largemouth bass. Fishing was slow to fair using crank baits for walleye. Fishing was fair trolling crank baits for white bass. Fishing for all other species was slow. The surface water temp was in the high 50s.

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

Northwest

Abiquiu Lake: Fishing was fair using jig and grub rigs, jig and minnow rigs and crank baits for walleye. Fishing was fair to good using creature baits, tubes, worms, swim baits, jerk baits and crank baits for smallmouth bass. We had no reports on other species.

Animas River: Water flow near Aztec on Monday morning was 731 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 PowerBait and corn for rainbow trout. We had no reports on other species.

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

Canjilon Lakes: Closed by the U.S. Forest Service until further notice due to danger from falling trees.

Chama River: Monday morning water flows below El Vado and Abiquiu were 155 cfs and 22 cfs respectively. Fishing below Abiquiu was fair using power eggs, worms, hare’s ear nymphs, pheasant tail nymphs and San Juan worms for rainbow and brown trout. Fishing below El Vado was good using PowerBait, salmon eggs, night crawlers and wooly buggers for a mixed bag of brown and rainbow trout.

Cochiti Lake: Fishing was fair using jerk baits, crank baits and spinner baits for northern pike. Fishing was slow to fair using crank baits, crawdads, jerk baits and tubes for smallmouth bass. Fishing for all other species was slow but there were a few white bass caught by anglers using crank baits and jerk baits.

El Vado Lake: Fishing was fair using PowerBait, worms, salmon eggs and spinners for trout. We had no reports on other species.

Fenton Lake: Fishing was good using olive Pistol Petes, small Tennessee shad, crank baits, wooly buggers, hare’s ear nymphs, worms and garlic and rainbow PowerBait for trout.

Heron Lake: Bank fishing was fair to good using PowerBait and roe sacs for rainbow trout and a few small lake trout. We had no reports on other species.

Jackson Lake: Fishing was slow to fair using PowerBait and worms for trout. We had no reports on other species.

Jemez Waters: Stream flow on the Jemez River near Jemez Springs on Monday morning was 180 cfs. Trout fishing was fair using worms. Trout fishing on the Cebolla was very good using hare’s ear nymphs, San Juan worms and worms. Fishing on the San Antonio was good using worms, salmon eggs and flashback, pheasant tail nymphs. We had no reports on other streams in the area.

Laguna Del Campo: Opens for the season May 1.

Lake Farmington: Fishing was fair using PowerBait, salmon eggs, worms and spinners for trout. We had no reports on other species. Nonmotorized watercraft are now allowed on Lake Farmington. Fees are $50 for the season or $5 daily.

Manzano Lake: Fishing was fair using PowerBait, Gulp eggs and small spoons for trout.

Navajo Lake: Fishing was very good using worms, small grubs and small spinners for bluegill. Fishing was fair using swim baits, jerk baits and crank baits for northern pike. Fishing was fair using crank baits and creature baits for smallmouth bass and an occasional largemouth bass. We had no reports on other species.

San Gregorio Lake: We had no reports from anglers.

San Juan River: Water flow below Navajo Lake on Monday morning was 506 cfs with a visibility of about two feet. Trout fishing through the Quality Waters was good using foam wing emergers, RS2s, red and cream larva, red annelids, zebra midges, Parachute Adams and comparaduns. Fishing through the bait waters was good using worms, jerk baits, spoons and copper John Barrs for trout.

Seven Springs Brood Pond: Fishing was very good using PowerBait and salmon eggs for trout.

Tingley Beach: Fishing for trout at the Central Pond and Youth Pond was good using worms, cheese baits, PowerBait, salmon eggs, Pistol Petes and small spoons. Trout fishing at the Bob Gerding Catch and Release Pond was fair to good using San Juan worms, small streamers, zebra midges and small gold Kastmasters. Fishing for largemouth bass was fair using swim baits, jigs and tubes. We had no reports on other species.

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

Southwest

Alumni Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing was slow for all species.

Bill Evans Lake: Fishing was fair using worms, PowerBait, salmon eggs and small spoons for trout. Fishing was fair using plastic worms, creature baits and crank baits for largemouth bass. We had no reports on other species.

Caballo Lake: Fishing was fair using crank baits, jerk baits, minnows and sassy shad for walleye. The best reports came in from anglers fishing the north end of the lake. Fishing for white bass was fair using crank baits, jerk baits and sassy shad. Fishing for catfish was fair using liver, night crawlers and stink bait. Fishing was fair to good using minnows and small jigs on the west side of the lake for crappie. We had no reports on other species.

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing was good using sassy shad, spoons, curly tail grubs and crank baits for white bass. Fishing was good using creature baits, tubes, crank baits, spinner baits and jerk baits for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Fishing was good using liver, night crawlers and shrimp for catfish. Fishing was fair using minnows, small grubs and crappie jigs for crappie. We had no reports on other species.

Escondida Lake: Fishing was slow to fair using PowerBait, homemade dough bait, spoons and Pistol Petes for trout. We had no reports on other species.

Gila River: Stream flow as of Monday morning was 110 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

Glenwood Pond: Fishing was good using PowerBait for trout.

Lake Roberts: Fishing was good using salmon eggs, worms and PowerBait for trout. Fishing was slow to fair using plastic worms and tubes for largemouth bass. We had no reports on other species.

Percha Dam: Fishing was slow to fair using minnows, sassy shad and grubs for white bass and a few walleye. We had no reports on other species.

Quemado Lake: Fishing was slow for all species.

Rio Grande: Stream flow below Elephant Butte as of Monday morning was 2,030 cfs. Fishing was fair using sassy shad, white and green curly tail grubs and minnows for walleye and a few small smallmouth bass. Fishing was fair using night crawlers and liver for catfish. We had no reports on other species.

Snow Lake: Fishing was very good using small nymphs, Power Bait, salmon eggs and worms for trout.

Young Pond: Fishing was slow to fair using homemade dough bait, liver and worms for catfish. We had no reports on other species.

Southeast

Alto Lake: Fishing was fair to good using PowerBait, Kastmasters and Pistol Petes for trout. We had no reports on other species.

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

Black River: Stream flow at Malaga on Monday was 27 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Bonito Lake: Closed until further notice by the city of Alamogordo due to fire damage.

Bosque Redondo Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Bottomless Lakes: Fishing at the Devil’s Inkwell was slow to fair using Pistol Petes, salmon eggs, PowerBait and wooly buggers for trout.

Brantley Lake: Anglers are required to catch and release all fish here as high levels of pesticides have been found in some fish. Fishing was very good using crank baits, swim baits, spinner baits, tubes, jigs, curly tail grubs and jerk baits for largemouth bass and white bass. We had no reports on other species.

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

El Rito Creek: Fishing was very good using San Juan worms, wooly buggers, PowerBait, worms and small spoons for trout. Fishing was very good using worms, tubes and curly tail grubs for largemouth bass. We had no reports on other species.

Eunice Lake: Fishing was fair using salmon peach and garlic PowerBait, salmon eggs and worms for trout.

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

Greene Acres Lake: Fishing was slow for all species.

Grindstone Reservoir: Fishing was very good using PowerBait, worms, homemade dough bait, Pistol Petes 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 slow to fair using stink bait, homemade dough bait and liver for catfish. A few trout were caught by anglers using spoons and PowerBait. We had no reports on other species.

Oasis Park Lake: Fishing was fair to good using PowerBait, small spoons, small crank baits and Pistol Petes for trout. We had no reports on other species.

Pecos River: Stream flow below Sumner Lake as of Monday morning was 109 cfs. Fishing was slow to fair using PowerBait and worms for trout. Fishing was fair using liver and homemade dough bait for catfish. We had no reports on other species.

Perch Lake: Fishing was good using PowerBait, salmon eggs, Pistol Petes, spoons and San Juan worms for trout. We had no reports on other species.

Ruidoso River: Stream flow at Hollywood on Monday was 23 cfs. Trout fishing was slow.

Santa Rosa Lake: Fishing was slow to fair using crank baits, grubs, creature baits and tubes for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. We had no reports on other species.

Sumner Lake: Fishing was fair using crank baits, jerk baits, minnows and sassy shad for walleye. Fishing was good using crank baits, jerk baits, tubes, worms and creature baits for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. We had no reports on other species.