New Mexico fishing and stocking reports for November 1711/17/2020

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This fishing report, provided by Dustin Berg of Go Unlimited (supporting disabled anglers) 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.

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A MESSAGE FROM THE DEPARTMENT:

As COVID-19 continues to force all of us to make changes to our daily schedule, the Department would like to remind you that together we can make a difference. To help minimize the spread of the virus:

Practice social distancing
Wash your hands regularly
Avoid non-essential travel
Wear a face covering
Avoid interacting with large groups

Click the flyer to the right. Please share it with your friends and family.

Take the Bass and Trout Challenges!

To promote bass and trout fishing opportunities in New Mexico and encourage anglers to branch out and discover new fishing waters and species, anglers can participate in the New Mexico Bass Challenge and the New Mexico Trout Challenge. Catch all the challenge species that are found throughout New Mexico to receive your certificate and challenge coin.

The Department is continuing to adapt our ways of working to conserve wildlife for all New Mexicans. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, Department biologists and conservation officers continue to conduct wildlife surveys, contact anglers and OHV recreationists and stock fish in open waters throughout the state.

Our teams are wearing personal protective equipment for everyone’s safety while working in small groups for maximum social distancing. We ask for your help to keep everyone safe and healthy by following the NMDOH public health emergency order by wearing PPE while staying at least six feet away from staff and equipment.

Closure Information:

The Department reminds anglers it is their responsibility to be aware of closures and contact land managers for properties of interest when restrictions are lifted.

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

Catches of the week

Bluewater Lake: Taylen Endito, age 10, of Thoreau caught a 13-inch rainbow trout using rainbow-colored PowerBait Nov. 15. Ron Rosignol of Albuquerque caught a 33-inch tiger muskie trolling a gold Rapala lure Nov. 6.

Grindstone Reservoir: Jesse Brusuelas, age 11, and his little brother EJ Brusuelas, age 4, of Tularosa caught their limit of trout, including Jesse’s 18-inch, 3-pound rainbow trout using salmon peach PowerBait Nov. 11.

Oasis Park Lake: Mario and Monica Velasco stationed at Cannon AFB caught their limit of 10 rainbow trout using PowerBait Nov. 13.

Rio Grande: Alyson Estrada of Albuquerque caught a 20-inch brown trout south of Taos using a nightcrawler Nov. 14.

Riverwalk Pond in Grants: Alanna Dominguez, age 3, of Grants caught her first rainbow trout using bait Nov. 13.

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 funfishingnm@gmail.com. We may include your story in our next report.

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

Northeast Fishing Report

Cabresto Lake: Fishing for brook trout was

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

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

Cimarron River: Stream flow near Cimarron Monday morning was 11.7 cfs. Fishing for trout was good using PowerBait and small bead head nymph flies. Effective Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, NM State Parks will temporarily shut down for two weeks through Nov. 30, in accordance with the Public Health Order.

Clayton Lake: Closed to fishing until March 2021. Effective Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, NM State Parks will temporarily shut down for two weeks through Nov. 30, in accordance with the Public Health Order.

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

Costilla Creek: The Department has implemented the final phase of a project to expand Rio Grande cutthroat trout in 120 miles of the Costilla watershed in northern New Mexico. The final phase involved the removal of fish within a designated area (Rio Costilla from Costilla Dam downstream to the Valle Vidal Boundary including all tributaries and Comanche Creek from the road culvert crossing on FR 1950 downstream to its confluence with Rio Costilla and all tributaries) with a tentative restocking of Rio Grande cutthroat in spring 2022. Places to fish nearby include Costilla Creek below the fish barrier, Upper Comanche Creek, Shuree Ponds, Middle Ponil Creek, Upper Powderhouse Creek, Little Costilla Creek, Vidal Creek and McCrystal Creek. The Department anticipates completion of this final phase in the fall of 2021. Please check the Department website for additional information on the project and to identify alternative angling opportunities in the interim.

Cowles Ponds: Anglers reported the pond was freezing over and not very fishable.

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

Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good using salmon peach PowerBait, Woolly Bugger flies and spinners tipped with PowerBait. Effective Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, NM State Parks will temporarily shut down for two weeks through Nov. 30, in accordance with the Public Health Order.

Eagle Rock Lake: Fishing for trout was good using pheasant tail nymph flies, black and green leech pattern flies, small spinners, silver Kastmasters and silver Super Dupers.

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

Gallinas River: Fishing for trout was good using Panther Martin spinners.

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

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

Lake Maloya: Fishing for trout was good using PowerBait.

Los Pinos River: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Monastery Lake: Closed due to COVID-19 health concerns. Check the Open Gate webpage for future updates.

Morphy Lake: Closed for a renovation project on the dam and no firm opening date has been set.

Pecos River: Stream flow near the town of Pecos Monday morning was 18.6 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good using white midge flies, salmon eggs and worms. Effective Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, NM State Parks will temporarily shut down for two weeks through Nov. 30, in accordance with the Public Health Order.

Red River: Stream flow below the hatchery Monday morning was 35.1 cfs. Fishing for trout was good using bead head nymph flies and worms.

Rio Grande: Stream flow at the Taos Junction Bridge Monday morning was 234 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good using small Baetis nymph and streamers near Pilar. Fishing for trout was fair to good using spinners, Rapala lures, worms and PowerBait. Fishing for walleye and white bass was fair near Albuquerque using nightcrawlers.

Rio Hondo: Stream flow Monday morning near Valdez was 28.5 cfs.

Rio Mora: Stream flow Monday morning was 4.39 cfs. Anglers reported icing over, resulting in poor fishing conditions.

Rio Pueblo: Stream flow near Penasco Monday morning was 8.09 cfs.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Fishing for trout was good using chunky cheese Berkley Gulp and rainbow-colored PowerBait.

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

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

Storrie Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week. Effective Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, NM State Parks will temporarily shut down for two weeks through Nov. 30, in accordance with the Public Health Order.

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

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

Northwest Fishing Report

Abiquiu Lake: Anglers reported fishing for all species was slow. Due to low water levels, anglers are advised to use four-wheel-drive vehicles to launch boats and watch for obstructions on the water.

Animas River: Water flow below Aztec Monday morning was 218 cfs.

Albuquerque Area Drains: Fishing for trout was good using worms and PowerBait.

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for tiger muskie was fair using gold Rapala lures. Fishing for trout was fair using green glitter PowerBait. Effective Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, NM State Parks will temporarily shut down for two weeks through Nov. 30, in accordance with the Public Health Order.

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

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

Chama River: Monday morning flows below El Vado and Abiquiu were 99.5 cfs and 77.0 cfs, respectively. Fishing for trout below El Vado Lake was fair to good using nightcrawlers and small Rapala lures. Fishing for trout below Abiquiu Lake was good using bead head nymph flies, mop flies, Wooly Buggers, egg pattern flies and PowerBait.

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

El Vado Lake: Is open for Salmon Snagging Season. Kokanee salmon snagging was reported as slow. Effective Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, NM State Parks will temporarily shut down for two weeks through Nov. 30, in accordance with the Public Health Order.

Fenton Lake: Fishing for trout was slow. Effective Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, NM State Parks will temporarily shut down for two weeks through Nov. 30, in accordance with the Public Health Order.

Heron Lake: Salmon snagging season opened Nov. 13. Fishing was reported as slow. Effective Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, NM State Parks will temporarily shut down for two weeks through Nov. 30, in accordance with the Public Health Order.

Jemez Waters: Stream flow on the Jemez near the town of Jemez Monday morning was 14.5 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair using worms and salmon eggs.

Laguna del Campo: Fishing for trout was fair to good using green garlic-scented PowerBait and worms.

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

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

Manzano Lake: Closed until further notice.

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

Navajo Lake: Fishing for kokanee salmon using snagging hooks was good near the dam. Please note that the buoyed no-wake areas and shoreline within the no-wake areas at the Pine River Boat Ramp and Simms Boat Ramp at Navajo Lake are currently closed for salmon snagging and will open on Nov. 13. Effective Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, NM State Parks will temporarily shut down for two weeks through Nov. 30, in accordance with the Public Health Order.

San Gregorio Lake: Anglers reported that the lake is frozen 1 to 2-inches thick.

San Juan River: Stream flow Monday morning was 348 cfs. Fishing for trout in the quality waters was good using midge pattern dry flies, Baetis dry flies and RS2s.

Seven Springs Brood Pond: Closed due to COVID-19 health concerns. Check the Department’s Alerts page for future updates.

Tingley Beach: Fishing for trout was fair to good using PowerBait.

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

Southwest Fishing Report

Alumni Pond: Fishing for trout was fair to good using nymph flies, marshmallows and shrimp scented PowerBait.

Bear Canyon Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Bill Evans Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Caballo Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week. Effective Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, NM State Parks will temporarily shut down for two weeks through Nov. 30, in accordance with the Public Health Order.

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for white bass was fair to good using white tubes and worms. Fishing for largemouth bass was fair using smoky melon tubes and brown soft plastic lizard baits in the early mornings. Effective Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, NM State Parks will temporarily shut down for two weeks through Nov. 30, in accordance with the Public Health Order.

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

Gila River: Stream flow Monday morning was 57.3 cfs.

Glenwood Pond: Fishing for trout was fair to good using crystal flash nymph flies and PowerBait.

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

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

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

Rancho Grande Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Rio Grande: Stream flow below Elephant Butte Monday morning was 0.92 cfs.

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

Trees Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good using lime green and purple garlic-scented PowerBait.

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

Southeast Fishing Report

Alto Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good using PowerBait.

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

Black River: Stream flow at Malaga Monday morning was 6.49 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

Blue Hole Park Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Bonito Lake: Closed until further notice by the city of Alamogordo due to fire damage. It appears now that the lake will be out of commission until 2022.

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

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

Brantley Lake: Fishing for bass was fair to good using swimbaits. Effective Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, NM State Parks will temporarily shut down for two weeks through Nov. 30, in accordance with the Public Health Order.

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair using nightcrawlers and homemade dough bait.

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

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

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

Green Meadow Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair using chicken and beef liver. Fishing for bass was fair using worms.

Greene Acres Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Grindstone Reservoir: Fishing for trout was good using white Trout Magnets, silver spoons and salmon peach PowerBait.

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

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

Oasis Park Lake: Fishing for trout was good using rainbow-colored PowerBait. Effective Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, NM State Parks will temporarily shut down for two weeks through Nov. 30, in accordance with the Public Health Order.

Pecos River: Stream flow below Sumner Lake Monday morning was 19.6 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Ruidoso River: Stream flow Monday morning at Hollywood was 3.87 cfs.

Santa Rosa Lake: Effective Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, NM State Parks will temporarily shut down for two weeks through Nov. 30, in accordance with the Public Health Order.

Sumner Lake: Effective Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, NM State Parks will temporarily shut down for two weeks through Nov. 30, in accordance with the Public Health Order.

Tips and Tricks – Alternative to Using Treble Hooks

Len Lo Presto is an avid fisherman from southern New Mexico. He routinely helps veterans get out and fish. Sometimes they catch and keep fish, while other times, they prefer to catch and release. His contribution this week is a hook trick he uses that provides for strong hooksets while also enabling a safe release of the fish if the angler chooses so.

His tip is not to use single or treble hooks but instead to use a double hook. Some tackle stores sell double hooks, or you can make your own by getting a treble hook and cutting off one hook at the top of the bend. You then file down one barb only.

You will also find that it will hold dough bait, as well as worms and minnows. You might have to add a little more flour to your dough bait, but it will stay on the hook for 30 minutes if you do it right. If you are a catch-and-release individual, you will find that they rarely swallow the hook, and it will be much easier to remove. Len recommends using nothing smaller than a size 8 hook size. Len says that he only uses a single hook while crappie fishing, but he uses his double hook to fish for any other species.

If you try this tip, please let us know how it works at funfishingnm@gmail.com

Now available! Download your copy of the NM Wildlife 2020 Fall Issue!11/17/2020

PrairieChickenBanner

The Fall 2020 edition of
New Mexico Wildlife is
now available online!

To our readers,

The Department of Game and Fish is very pleased to share the all-digital fall issue of New Mexico Wildlife. This issue focuses on conservation efforts in southern New Mexico. As you’ll notice, we’ve featured an oryx, one of our state’s exotic big game animals, on this season’s cover.

Also in this issue, we’ve included articles about the science behind restoring New Mexico’s Gila trout population, playa restoration efforts in partnership with Playa Lakes Joint Venture and how we use controlled burns to improve lesser prairie chicken habitat.

In addition to the magazine, please take a look at New Mexico Wildlife Monthly Update, our monthly e-newsletter featuring stories exclusive to the Department website. The Department is always eager to share news about critical missions such as wildlife population surveys, fish spawns and habitat improvements.

Whether you are a seasoned hunter or angler, an avid birdwatcher, wildlife photographer or just someone who enjoys getting outside and taking in the beauty of our diverse state, we hope you find New Mexico Wildlife to be a great resource. Please feel free to send us your feedback at DGF-editor@state.nm.us. We always appreciate hearing from our readers.