New Mexico fishing and stocking reports for May 23

New Mexico Department of Game & Fish sent this bulletin at 05/23/2023 07:00 PM MDT

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This fishing report, provided by the Department of Game and Fish in cooperation with Dustin Berg of www.gounlimited.org (supporting disabled anglers), has been generated from the best information available from anglers and area conservation officers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing adventure or your catch of the week. 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. Fish weights and measurements are provided by the angler and printed here as received.

Catches of the week are now listed before each region’s fishing report to help you quickly find the best places to fish in your area.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST STOCKING REPORT

2023-24 Fishing RIBs and Licenses Available Online!

The 2023-24 Fishing Rules and Information Booklets (RIBs) are available in print and online in English and Spanish for download.

Get your 2023-24 New Mexico fishing license!

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!

Take the Bass and Trout Challenges!

To promote 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, the New Mexico Trout Challenge and the Master Angler Challenge. Who knows, you could catch a New Mexico Record Fish.

Catch all the challenge species that are found throughout New Mexico or a New Mexico State Record Fish and receive a certificate and challenge coin for your accomplishment!

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

CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Conchas Lake: Y. Garcia of Carnuel caught a 27-inch, 5.5-pound walleye using a silver Rapala lure while trolling on May 21 (above, left). Dewey Loveless of Conchas Dam caught a 3-pound largemouth bass using a nightcrawler worm on May 20 (above, center). Mike Sayamontry of Albuquerque caught a 14.5-inch crappie using a minnow on May 12 (above, right).

Lake Alice: Memphis Vigil, age 5, of Raton caught a 13-inch rainbow trout using green PowerBait on May 20 (above, left).

Lake Maloya: Raiden Vigil, age 7, Alex Vigil, age 3 and Memphis Vigil, age 5, of Raton caught 17-inch, 18.5-inch and 15.25-inch rainbow trout using marshmallows on May 21 (above, right).

FISHING REPORT

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

Charette Lakes: Fishing for trout was fair when using nightcrawler worms.

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Monday morning was 82 cubic feet per second (cfs). Fishing for trout was good when using red Copper John flies, Cimarron Specials, San Juan Worm flies, worms, and salmon eggs. Fishing for trout at Gravel Pit Lakes was good when using Salmon Peach PowerBait, Yellow Garlic Glitter PowerBait, worms, and salmon eggs.

Clayton Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait. Fishing for walleye was fair when using crankbaits and jigs. Fishing for catfish was fair when using chicken liver and nightcrawler worms.

Conchas Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass was fair to good when using Berkley Flicker Shad lures, jerkbaits and nightcrawler worms. Fishing for walleye was good when trolling using silver Rapala lures, nightcrawler-worm harness spinner rigs and Flicker Shad lures. Fishing for crappie was fair to good when using live minnows and nightcrawler worms.

Costilla Creek: The Valle Vidal is closed to fishing until July.

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

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

Eagle Nest Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using black streamer flies and Salmon Peach PowerBait. Fishing for pike was fair to good when using minnow swimbaits, nightcrawler worms and spoons. The boat docks are now in the water. For updated lake conditions, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

Eagle Rock Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using black spinners, Pink PowerBait and Pistol Pete spinner flies.

Gallinas River: National Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at 505-438-5300 for the latest closure information.

Hopewell Lake: Anglers reported that there was open water, free of ice.

Lake Alice: Fishing for trout was fair when using corn, Yellow PowerBait, Green PowerBait, Rainbow Gulp PowerBait and Salmon Peach PowerBait.

Lake Maloya: Fishing for trout was good when using size-18-22 dark-colored nymph flies, Pistol Pete spinner flies, Panther Martin spinners, marshmallows, corn, Yellow PowerBait, Green PowerBait, Rainbow Gulp PowerBait and Salmon Peach PowerBait. The ADA dock is open to anglers, with priority given to mobility-impaired persons.

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

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

Monastery Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week. The Benedictine Monastery Lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property.

Morphy Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using mayfly flies, CDC Flashback Pheasant-Tail nymph flies and Panther Martin spinners.

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Monday morning was 467 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using worms and gold beadhead nymph flies.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Monday morning was 281 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair when using Panther Martin spinners at the hatchery.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Monday morning was 4,710 cfs. Anglers reported high water levels, murky watercolor and poor fishing conditions.

Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Monday morning was 114 cfs.

Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Monday morning was 145 cfs.

Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Monday morning was 268 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using beadhead nymph flies and worms.

Santa Cruz Reservoir: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using black Pistol Pete spinner flies, worms, spinners, Orange PowerBait and Chartreuse PowerBait.

Shuree Ponds: Closed to fishing until July.

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

Storrie Lake: Fishing for trout was fair when using salmon eggs and Garlic PowerBait.

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

Ute Lake: Fishing for walleye was fair to good when using live minnows, Gulp Minnows, Berkley Flicker Shad lures, Wally Diver lures, and nightcrawler-worm harness spinner rigs. Fishing for white bass was very good when using Berkley Flicker Shad lures. Fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass was fair to good when using wacky-rigged Berkley General and MaxScent Hit Worms, chatter baits, square-bill crankbaits, spinner baits, swimbaits and crawdad-pattern baits. Fishing for crappie was fair when using live minnows, Road Runner jigs and various other small jigs in 12-15 feet of water. Fishing for catfish was good when using Danny King’s punch bait in 4-6 feet of water. The main lake water surface temperature was in the mid-60 F range, and the water was clear.

NORTHWEST

CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Bluewater Lake: Faith, Gabriel, Anthony, Aaron and Sarah Leeder of Rio Rancho caught a 32-inch tiger muskie using a minnow on May 21 (above).

Canjilon Lakes: E. Martinez of Santa Fe caught a 16-inch rainbow trout using a worm on May 21 (above, left).

Fenton Lake: Michael Brown, age 7, of Rio Rancho caught a 12-inch rainbow trout using a worm on May 19 (above, right).

Grants Riverwalk Pond: Kyle Lucero of Laguna Pueblo caught a 15-inch and a 15.5-inch rainbow trout using a foam worm on May 15 (not pictured). Clarence Padilla of Albuquerque and his kids Nevaeh, Mya, Santos and Yazmyn caught multiple bluegill using Mini Trout Magnet lures on May 16 (above).

Jemez River: John Fender of Los Lunas caught multiple brown trout using a stimulator dry fly near Battleship Rock on May 15 (above, left; with his dog Smalls).

Seven Springs Brood Pond: Karina Barraza, age 14 months, caught and released her first three fish with the largest being a 12-inch rainbow trout using a fly and PowerBait on May 20 (above, right).

FISHING REPORT

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

Animas River: Streamflow below Aztec Monday morning was 4,190 cfs.

Albuquerque Area Drains: Fishing for carp was good when using corn in the Corrales Riverside Drain.

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for tiger muskie was slow to fair when using minnows and spinners.

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

Canjilon Lakes: Fishing for trout was good when using worms.

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

El Vado Lake: Closed due to dam construction project. For more information, visit El Vado Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-588-7247.

Fenton Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using Chartreuse PowerBait, worms, mayfly emerger-pattern flies and Pistol Pete spinner flies. For updated lake conditions, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-829-3630.

Grants Riverwalk Pond: Fishing for trout was fair when using foam worms. Fishing for bluegill was good when using salmon eggs and Mini Trout Magnet lures.

Heron Lake: Fishing for all species was slow.

Jemez Waters: Streamflow near Jemez Monday morning was 241 cfs. Fishing for trout was good when using stimulator dry flies and barbless Prince Nymph flies. Due to the rising popularity of fishing in Valles Caldera National Preserve, the National Park Service began charging a fee for its fishing permits starting April 1, 2023, to support the management of its fishing program. The new fee schedule will be $20 for an annual pass ($10 for youth 12-17) and $5 for a 7-day pass ($3 for youth 12-17). A State of New Mexico fishing license is also required to fish within Valles Caldera. For more information visit www.nps.gov/vall.

Laguna del Campo: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

Lake Farmington: Fishing for bass was good when using plastic worms.

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

Navajo Lake: Fishing for trout was slow when using Rapala lures. Fishing for pike was slow to fair when using large streamer flies and spoons. Fishing for bass was slow.

Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Monday morning was 3,160 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Monday morning was 1,560 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 two trout only.

Rio Grande: Fishing for catfish was good when using cut bait and chicken liver near Corrales.

Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Pond #1): We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

San Juan River: Streamflow near Archuleta Monday morning was 2,950 cfs. Fishing for trout in the quality waters was fair when using leech-pattern flies. Fishing for trout in the bait waters was slow to fair when using worms and egg-pattern flies. Streamflow is anticipated to rise multiple times throughout the month of May. Visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nm/nwis/current/?type=flow for current flow rates.

Seven Springs Brood Pond: Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait and flies.

Tiger Park Reservoir: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Tingley Beach: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using cut bluegill bait and Orange PowerBait. Fishing for bass was fair to good when using watermelon-colored plastic crawdad lures and Bubble Butt worms. Fishing for trout was slow.

Trout Lakes: Fishing for trout was good when using Panther Martin spinners.

SOUTHWEST

CATCH OF THE WEEK

Rio Grande: Sawyer Osborn, age 6, of Belen caught a 23-inch, 6-pound catfish using chicken liver near Veguita on May 20 (above).

FISHING REPORT

Alumni Pond: Fishing for catfish was slow when using beef liver and chicken liver. Fishing for bass was fair when using perch-pattern crankbaits, Bomber crankbaits and floating shad-pattern lures.

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

Bill Evans Lake: The lake is now open! The old boat ramp has been modified to provide better access for non-motorized watercraft, and several fishing jetties have also been added. The new boat ramp remains closed until the lake’s water level rises, at which time the new boat dock will be installed. For current conditions, contact the department’s Fisheries Management Division at 505-476-8055.

Caballo Lake: Fishing for white bass was fair when using curly-tail grubs and small crankbaits. Fishing for walleye was good when using white Bomber lures, Rat-L-Trap crankbaits, and curly-tail grubs.

Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass was fair to good when using shad-pattern jerkbaits, square-billed crankbaits, live minnows and swimbaits. Fishing for white bass was fair to good when using curly-tail grubs and crankbaits. Fishing for walleye was fair when using live minnows and jigs. Fishing for crappie was fair good when using live minnows. Fishing for catfish was good when using raw shrimp at the marina.

Escondida Lake: Fishing for bass was fair to good when using artificial worms.

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

Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Monday morning was 119 cfs.

Glenwood Pond: Fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait fished with a bobber.

Lake Roberts: Fishing for trout was fair when using garlic marshmallow bait and PowerBait.

Percha Dam: Fishing for walleye was fair when using live minnows, crankbaits, and worms. Fishing for white bass was fair when using crankbaits and curly-tail grubs.

Quemado Lake: Fishing for trout was fair when using Garlic PowerBait and Panther Martin spinners.

Rancho Grande Ponds: Fishing for trout was fair when using PowerBait.

Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Monday morning was 2,300 cfs. Fishing for catfish was good when using cut bait and chicken liver near the village of Veguita.

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

Trees Lake: Fishing for catfish was good when using beef liver, chicken liver, garlic-dough bait and worms. Fishing for bass was fair to good when using jigs with curly-tail grubs. Fishing for trout was fair when using cheese-scented PowerBait.

Young Pond: Fishing for catfish was slow when using hot dogs.

SOUTHEAST

CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Berrendo Creek: Matthew Hohl of Roswell caught an 18-inch, 3.13-pound largemouth bass using a red Rooster Tail spinner on May 18 (above, left).

Lake Van: Joseph Gonzales of Roswell caught a 22-inch catfish using shrimp on May 18 (above, right).

Santa Rosa Lake: Jeremy Hernandez of Clovis caught a 21-inch rainbow trout, 11.5-inch crappie, and an 18-inch walleye using a white jerkbait on May 20 (above).

FISHING REPORT

Alto Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using PowerBait and various flies. Fishing for bass was fair to good when using plastic worms.

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

Berrendo Creek: Fishing for bass was fair to good when using Rooster Tail spinners. Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on this property.

Black River: Streamflow at Malaga Monday morning was 12 cfs.

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. The lake is full but needs time for aquatic habitat to develop in order to sustain a healthy fish population. The city hopes to reopen the lake for recreational purposes in June 2024.

Bosque Redondo Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using cut shad bait. Fishing for bass was good when using deep-diving, pumpkin-colored crankbaits.

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

Brantley Lake: Fishing for white bass was fair to good when using live minnows. Fishing for walleye was fair to good when using chicken-breast bait and crankbaits.

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

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

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

Eunice Lake: Fishing for all species was slow when using Panther Martin spinners, Pistol Pete spinner flies, corn and salmon eggs.

Green Meadow Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using nightcrawler worms with garlic scent.

Greene Acres Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair when using chicken liver.

Grindstone Reservoir: Fishing for trout was good when using Garlic PowerBait and Salmon Peach PowerBait.

Harry McAdams Park Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Lake Van: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using shrimp and nightcrawler worms.

Ned Houk Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Oasis Park Lake: Fishing for bass was fair to good when using crankbaits and spinners.

Pecos River: Streamflow below Sumner Lake Monday morning was 108 cfs. Fishing for catfish was fair when using hot dogs, night crawler worms and cut bait.

Perch Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using Pautzke salmon eggs.

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

Rio Ruidoso: Streamflow at Hollywood Monday morning was 48 cfs.

Rock Lake Hatchery Kids’ Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Santa Rosa Lake: Fishing for walleye and crappie was good when using white jerkbaits, live minnows and jigs with curly-tail grubs.

Sumner Lake: Fishing for walleye was fair to good when using live minnows and chartreuse curly-tail grubs.

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

Tips and Tricks – “Good Ol’ Boys” Fishing

By Bob from the Grand Tetons

Ninety-one-year-old Bob comes down to New Mexico each year from the Grand Tetons, Wyoming to fish with his 88-year-old cousin Richard (aka. “Fishhead”), now a resident of Beehive Homes in Farmington. Because you are probably curious, Richard claims once upon a time that a fish swam through the crown of his hat and got stuck, earning him a unique nickname that also fits his long-standing love for fishing.

When Richard was young, he and his father made many yearly trips to Montana with a bucket of Utah nightcrawlers. The funny thing is they always ended up fly fishing and never used the worms. This experience taught Richard to be adaptable. For decades, he has fished anywhere and everywhere he could. He has even developed the most-effective spin pole action that a person could hope for. Richard is not a purist for any technique. Whatever catches fish is okay with him!

This attitude has brought the “Good Ol’ Boys” duo back to Navajo Lake many times in recent years. Their friend and boat captain Ken recalls from years ago: “we were fishing the early part of spring at Navajo Lake. We had a nice brown trout and were heading back to the marina. I was freezing my butt off! While heading in for the day, we caught a pike by the beach area. I said, ‘well, that’s a great day, what do you guys think?’ Richard replied, ‘I say we go back through that area a couple more times!’.”

The Good Ol’ Boys returned to Navajo Lake on May 16 for their latest adventure. During a great day of fishing, Richard landed a nice brown trout. Ken didn’t even ask and went back through that same spot a few more times like he knew Fishhead would prefer!

Richard’s daughter Kathy brought him out to fish with his cousin Bob this year. She gave permission to submit the included pictures and noted that Fishhead would love to have bragging rights at the Beehive! We commend the Good Ol’ Boys for keeping up their tradition and wish them many more years of great fishing!

Let us know how your fishing trip goes! Share your tips and tricks with your fellow anglers by emailing us at funfishingnm@gmail.com and let’s help the next generation of anglers find success.

Thanks for reading and supporting our angling community!

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