New Mexico fishing and stocking reports for May 8

Catches of the week

Cochiti Lake: Chris Bailliett of Cochiti Lake caught a 27.75-inch, 6-pound, 7-ounce walleye May 2. He was using minnows. Anthony Sanchez of Albuquerque caught a 30-inch northern pike. He was using a green curly tail jig. His brother Raymond, also of Albuquerque caught a 19-inch catfish while using chicken liver. Gabriel Lopez of Albuquerque, with the help of his daughter Lauren, landed a 20-inch walleye May 5. It was their first walleye ever and they were using a Rooster Tail. Dean Kracko of Albuquerque caught and released a 41-inch northern pike May 5. He was using a diving crank bait. The fish broke off, then grabbed the minnow on his second rod and re-hooked itself.

• Conchas Lake: Daylon Cabrera of Albuquerque caught and released a 21-inch, 5.4-pound largemouth bass May 6. He was using a pumpkin pepper green soft bait.
• Cowles Ponds: Josiah Roybal, age 6, of Santa Fe, caught his limit of trout including a 19-inch, 3-pound rainbow trout. He was using worms and marshmallows.
• Eagle Nest Lake: Marty Alexander of Clovis caught a 20-inch rainbow trout May 6. He was using a salmon peach/red glitter PowerBait mix.
• Elephant Butte Lake: Manny Cedillo of Las Cruces caught a 23-inch walleye May 1. He was fishing near Rattlesnake Island and using a green and yellow spoon. Jerry Lay Jr., age 5, of El Paso, Texas, caught and released his first 17-inch white bass May 5. He was using a silver Super Duper.
• Farmington Lake: Matt Buell of Farmington caught a 33-inch channel catfish May 5. He was using a 1-inch pink pinched crawler.
• Lake Maloya: Steven Downing, age 70, of Lubbock, Texas caught and released a 26-inch rainbow trout May 3. He was trolling a #6 Black Panther Pistol Pete.
• Maxwell Lake 13: Doug Frederickson of Raton caught a 5.5-pound largemouth bass May 5. He was using a Walleye Nation Shaky Shad.
• Morphy Lake: Andrez Romero, age 7, of Ribera, caught an 18-inch rainbow trout May 5. He was using salmon peach PowerBait.
• San Juan River: Dennis Barela of Albuquerque caught and released a 30-inch, 20-pound brown (with another trout in its mouth) May 5. He was using a cream-colored egg pattern fly.
• Santa Rosa Lake: Jeromy Trujillo a student at New Mexico Tech, caught and released a 4.35-pound largemouth bass May 5. It was his first bass tournament and he was using a chatter bait. Garrett Rice of Albuquerque caught and released a 4.30-pound largemouth bass May 6. He was using a senko.

The following catch came in late but deserves a mention:        

• Abiquiu Reservoir: Xavier Martinez, age 12, of Pojoaque, caught a 19-inch brown trout April 29. He was using a Rapala. Uriah Martinez, age 9, of Pojoaque, caught a 21-inch walleye April 29. He was using a Rapala.

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.

May 8 

Northeast

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

Charette Lakes: Fishing was good using salmon peach PowerBait and Fire Balls from the bank for rainbow trout. Most of the fish caught ranged from 14 to 17 inches. Anglers fishing from the bank did better than those trolling lures.

Clayton Lake: Hot spot for trout: Fishing was very good using PowerBait for trout up to 17 inches. We had no reports on other species.

Cimarron River: Stream flow below Eagle Nest on Monday morning was 27.3 cfs. Trout fishing was good using elk hair caddis, bead-head hares' ears and Platte River specials. Anglers also did well drifting worms and salmon eggs. Fishing at the Gravel Pit lakes was good using PowerBait, salmon eggs and worms.

Conchas Lake: Fishing was slow to fair using jerk baits, crankbaits, chatter baits, swim baits, tubes, worms and senkos for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Fishing for walleye was fair to good using crankbaits, jerk baits, jig and minnow combinations and curly tail grubs. Fishing for crappie was fair to good using minnows. Fishing was fair using chicken liver, homemade dough bait and worms for catfish. We had no other reports. The surface water temp was in the low 60s.

Costilla Creek: We had no reports from anglers.

Cowles Ponds: Fishing was very good using red worms, marshmallows and PowerBait for trout.

Coyote Creek: Fishing was very good using Fire Balls, worms, copper John Barrs and small bead-head prince nymphs for trout.

Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing from the bank was good using PowerBait, Fire Balls and worms for rainbow trout up to 20 inches. Anglers fishing from boats caught a few trout also. They were using spinners, spoons, Platte River specials and PowerBait. The courtesy docks are scheduled to be put in May 10. For updated conditions, contact the state park office at (575) 377-1594.

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

Hopewell Lake: Trout fishing was fair to good using copper John Barrs, Pistol Petes and PowerBait for trout.

Lake Alice: Trout fishing was good using Pistol Petes, gold spoons, Fire Balls and PowerBait for trout.

Lake Maloya: Fishing was good using PowerBait, Pistol Petes, spinners and gold spoons for trout.

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

Maxwell Lake 13: Fishing was good using worms, soft plastics and PowerBait for trout. A few largemouth bass were caught by anglers using shaky shad, tubes and crank baits. We had no other reports.

Monastery Lake: Fishing was fair to good using PowerBait, worms and Fire Balls for trout.

Morphy Lake: The boat ramp has been closed due to low water conditions. Hand launching of small craft such as kayaks and canoes is still allowed. For updates, contact the park office at (575) 387-2328. Fishing was good using PowerBait, Pistol Petes and worms for trout.

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos on Monday morning was 24.5 cfs. Trout fishing was good using Panther Martins, prince nymphs, bead-head hare's ears, worms and small spinners for trout.

Red River: Stream flow below the hatchery on Monday morning was 44.0 cfs. Trout fishing was fair to good using copper John Barrs, Fire Balls and worms. Trout fishing at the hatchery pond was good using Fire Balls, worms and PowerBait.

Rio Grande: Stream flow on Monday morning at the Taos Junction Bridge was 238 cfs. Fishing in the Taos area was very good using elk hair caddis, San Juan worms, poundmeisters, bead-head pheasant tail nymphs, copper John Barrs, night crawlers and spinners for trout. Fishing was good using slump busters, wooly buggers and spoons for smallmouth bass. We had no reports on other species.

Rio Hondo: Stream flow on Monday morning near Valdez was 16.1 cfs. Trout fishing was fair to good using worms, prince nymphs and bead-head hare's ears.

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

Rio Pueblo: Stream flow near Penasco on Monday morning was 10.2 cfs. We had no reports from anglers.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Fishing was good using Kastmasters, copper spoons, wooly buggers, Fire Balls and PowerBait for rainbow and brown trout. Phil Chavez of Santa Fe caught a nice 18-inch rainbow this past Saturday. He was fishing on the bottom and using PowerBait.

Shuree Ponds:  Closed for the season.

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

Storrie Lake: Fishing was fair to good using PowerBait and Fire Balls for trout. We had no other reports.

Stubblefield Lake: Fishing was fair to good using crank baits, swim baits, jerk baits and night crawlers for walleye and largemouth bass.

Ute Lake: Hot spot for crappie: Fishing continued to be very good using minnows for crappie. Fishing was good using swim jigs, stick baits, crank baits, jerk baits and spinner baits for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Fishing was fair to good using minnows, sassy shad and crank baits on points for walleye. The best walleye reports came from anglers fishing at night. Fishing was good using stink bait and cut bait for catfish. The surface water temp was in the low 60s.

Northwest

Abiquiu Lake: Fishing was good using jerk baits, crank baits, tubes, senkos and swim baits for smallmouth bass. Fishing was fair using crank baits, jerk baits, jig and minnow combinations, curly tail grubs and jig and night crawler combinations for walleye and an occasional trout. We had no other reports.

Animas River: Water flow below Aztec on Monday morning was 174 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Bluewater Lake: Fishing was slow to fair using worms, PowerBait, Fire Balls and spinners for trout. Fishing for tiger muskie was slow but a few were caught by anglers using streamers, crank baits and swim baits. We had no other reports.     

Brazos River: Fishing was good using copper John Barrs and worms for trout.

Canjilon Lakes: Closed by the U.S. Forest Service until further notice. The area may reopen later this year.

Chama River: Monday morning water flows below El Vado and Abiquiu were 699 cfs and 681 cfs respectively. Trout fishing below El Vado was slow to fair for anglers using worms, salmon eggs and night crawlers. Fishing above El Vado was very good using San Juan worms, red larva and a variety of bead-head nymphs for rainbow trout, smallmouth bass and carp. Fishing below Abiquiu was slow.

Cochiti Lake: Fishing was fair using jerk baits, swim baits and crank baits for white bass. Fishing was fair to good using crank baits, spinner baits, jerk baits, tubes, senkos and grubs for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Fishing was fair using minnows, jigs, crank baits, minnows and Rooster Tails for northern pike and walleye. Fishing was good using night crawlers and liver for catfish We had no reports on other species. The surface water temp ranged from the mid 50s to the low 60s.

El Vado Lake: Hot spot for smallmouth bass: Fishing continued to be very good using crank baits, jerk baits, tubes, Panther Martins, swim baits and worms for smallmouth bass. The best action again this week was reported by anglers fishing near the dam. Fishing was fair to good using night crawlers for brown trout up to 20 inches. We had no reports on other species.  

Fenton Lake: Fishing continued to be quite good for anglers using worms, Pistol Petes, Mepps spinners, Panther Martins, PowerBait, mop flies and small spoons for brown and rainbow trout.

Heron Lake: Fishing was good using PowerBait, Fire Balls and worms for rainbow trout up to 17 inches. Most of the reports came in from anglers fishing near La Laja. We had no reports on other species.

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

Jemez Waters: Stream flow on the Jemez River near Jemez Springs on Monday morning was 16.7 cfs. Trout fishing was reported as good from anglers fishing the Jemez, East Fork and San Antonio. They were using small spinners, elk hair caddis, ants, parachute Adams, mop flies and worms.

Laguna del Campo: Fishing was good using Pistol Petes and PowerBait for trout.

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

Lake Farmington: Fishing was slow to fair using small plastics and PowerBait for trout and one big catfish listed in Catches of the Week. We had no other reports.

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

Navajo Lake: Fishing was good using crank baits, jerk baits, swim baits, curly tail grubs, senkos, spinner baits and chatter baits for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Fishing was fair to good using swim baits, jerk baits, spinner baits and crank baits for northern pike. Fishing was fair using minnows and small tubes for crappie. We had no other reports. The surface water temp ranged from the high 50s to the low 60s.

San Gregorio Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

San Juan River: Stream flow on Monday morning was at 678 cfs with a scheduled decrease to 500 cfs at 4:00 pm. Fly fishing action through the Quality waters was good using cream egg and larva patterns, mono midges, bead-head pheasant tail nymphs, baetis nymphs, Mini Mac midges, ants, red larva and San Juan worms. Trout fishing through the bait waters was fair using jerk baits, spoons, night crawlers and Fire Balls.

Seven Springs Brood Pond: Fishing was good using PowerBait, Pistol Petes, worms and Fire Balls for rainbow trout.

Tingley Beach: Trout fishing at the Youth and Central ponds was slow to fair using PowerBait, Zeke’s trout bait, Velveeta cheese, worms and Pistol Petes. A few catfish were caught by anglers using worms and stink bait.  We had no other reports.

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

Southwest

Alumni Pond: Fishing was fair to good using PowerBait for trout.

Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing was slow to fair using stink bait, worms and liver for catfish. We had no other reports.

Bill Evans Lake: Fishing was fair using PowerBait for trout. We had no other reports.

Caballo Lake: Fishing was good using minnows, curly tail grubs, slab spoons and crank baits for white bass and an occasional walleye. We had no other reports.

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing was good using spoons, crank baits, jerk baits, curly tail grubs, streamers and minnows for white bass. Fishing for walleye was fair to good using jig and minnow combinations, spoons, crank baits and jerk baits. Fishing was fair to good using minnows, small tubes and small jigs for crappie. Fishing for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass was fair using jerk baits, senkos, tubes, flukes, chatter baits, crank baits and spinner baits. Fishing was good using cut bait, shiners, homemade dough baits and liver for catfish. The surface water temp ranged from the high 50s to the mid 60s.

Escondida Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week

Gila River: Stream flow on Monday morning was 40.0 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Lake Roberts: Fishing was fair using worms, liver, stink bait and homemade dough bait for catfish. Fishing was good using PowerBait, red wigglers and Fire Balls for trout. Fishing was fair to good using worms for panfish. We had no other reports.

Percha Dam: Fishing was fair using liver and cut bait for catfish. We had no other reports.

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

Rancho Grande Ponds: Fishing was good using PowerBait for trout.

Rio Grande: Stream flow below Elephant Butte Monday morning was 1,280 cfs. Fishing was fair to good using liver and night crawlers and for catfish. Fishing was fair using minnows, curly tail grubs and small spoons for walleye and white bass. We had no other reports.

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

Young Pond: Fishing was slow to fair using worms for catfish. We had no reports on other species.