Sports And Outdoors
Los Alamos Daily Post
The State Game and Fish Department stocked 32,655 fingerling Rio Grande cutthroat trout averaging less than two inches in length in selected waters throughout Northern New Mexico last week.
The Department is seeking to expand angling opportunities for the Rio Grande cutthroat trout, which is New Mexico’s state fish.
One of only two species of trout native to New Mexico, the Rio Grande cutthroat is one of 14 subspecies of cutthroat trout that are found throughout the American West and Canada in the Rocky Mountain range. They also inhabit the Snake River and Columbia River drainages. One subspecies inhabits saltwater estuaries from Northern California to Southern Alaska.
Other subspecies include Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat and the Colorado River cutthroat. Although most subspecies rarely attain weights of over 10 pounds, the Lahontan cutthroat trout of Western Nevada and Eastern California historically attained weights of over 40 pounds. The Rio Grande cutthroat is the southernmost subspecies of cutthroat trout
Most populations of cutthroat trout suffered heavy losses and saw their habitat shrink with the settling of the West. Habitat destruction, overfishing, the construction of dams and the introduction of non-native trout species all played a role in the decline.
The Rio Grande cutthroat was considered a candidate for the Endangered Species list from 2008 until 2014. Thanks to an aggressive restoration program by the Department and other agencies that is still ongoing, in 2014 it was removed as a candidate.
The Department raises only Rio Grande cutthroat trout at its Seven Springs Fish Hatchery in the Jemez Mountains. This hatchery provided the cutthroat trout used in the stockings last week.
Fenton Lake State Park in the Jemez Mountains is open. Camping is allowed by reservation only. It received a stocking Aug. 31 of big rainbow trout averaging 18.7 inches in size. It was stocked Oct. 8 with 1,650 catchable-size rainbow trout. Fenton also has wild brown trout. It received a stocking Sept. 20 of 326 catchable-size Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Only two cutthroat trout may be kept per-day as part of the five-trout-per-day bag limit. Call (575).829.3630 for current conditions at Fenton.
The Rio Cebolla below Fenton Lake is stocked with rainbow trout and also has wild brown trout. It was stocked Oct. 20 with 601 rainbow trout.
San Gregorio Lake is open. The fishing is reported as slow-to-fair. It has not been stocked with catchable-size fish this year. This lake requires anglers to park and hike in. There are reports of vehicles being broken into at the parking area. Lock your vehicles and secure your valuables.
San Gregorio Lake was stocked Sept. 16 with 1,081 fingerling Rio Grande cutthroat trout. The State Game and Fish Department is trying to establish a fishery here for Rio Grande cutthroats.
The Seven Springs Brood Pond at Seven Springs Fish Hatchery is open. It is also known as the Kid’s Pond. It was stocked Aug. 31 with 100 rainbow trout averaging 18.7 inches in size. It was stocked Oct 20 with 435 catchable-size rainbow trout. There are a few big brown trout in this pond. The fishing is for anglers under 12 years old.
The trout fishing has been fair in the Jemez River. The streamflow is now 13.4 cubic-feet-per-second. This is slightly lower than last week. The fish are concentrated in deeper pools. It was stocked Oct. 20 with 1,501 rainbow trout.
The smaller streams in the Jemez Mountains are lower. The Rio de las Vacas was stoked Aug. 26 with 308 rainbow trout. The San Antonio River was stocked twice two weeks ago with a total of 1,320 Rio Grande cutthroat trout averaging seven inches in size. Please try and release these fish if caught to give them a chance to grow and reproduce. All the streams in the Jemez Mountains have wild brown trout.
The Rio Guadelupe in the Jemez Mountains was stocked Oct. 27 with 1,011 fingerling Rio Grande cutthroat trout and with 577 cutthroat trout averaging 6.3 inches in size.
Eagle Nest Lake State Park is open and boating conditions are listed as good. Rainbow trout fishing is picking up and some big fish have been landed. The fishing for perch has been fair. Northern pike fishing has been good. Some good-sized kokanee salmon have been caught this year. A potential new state-record kokanee weighing 5 pounds was caught this summer. Kokanee salmon snagging season began Friday (Oct. 1) at Eagle Nest. It was reported as slow. Salmon snagging usually picks up later in the season here. For more information and current conditions, call (575).377.1594.
Heron Lake State Park is open. Boating conditions are described as fair. Trolling lures for rainbow trout and kokanee salmon had been fair. Bank fishing should be at least fair for rainbow trout. The lake level is still low. The primitive boat ramp is open. Four-wheel drive is recommended to launch boats. Please remember that possession of kokanee salmon is prohibited at Heron Lake Oct. 1 until Nov. 12. Kokanee salmon snagging season opens Nov. 12 at Heron Lake.
El Vado Lake has rainbow trout, brown trout, perch and small smallmouth bass. Call (575.588.7470 for conditions at both Heron Lake and El Vado Lake. The main park is now open. Boating conditions are described as poor. The main boat ramp is open. Water level is low. The North Day Use Area has had fair-to-good fishing for trout. The Dam Day Use Area has been fair for trout, perch and small smallmouth bass. Kokanee salmon snagging season began Friday (Oct. 1) at El Vado. It is reported as slow.
Abiquiu Lake is open, including the boat ramp and picnic areas. The campground is open. Camping is by reservation only. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers. Reservations may be made at www.reservation.gov.
The water level is low at Abiquiu. A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for launching boats. The fishing has been fair for walleye. The fishing is slow-to-fair for smallmouth bass. Fishing for catfish has been fair-to-good. Call 505.685.4371 for more information.
The Chama River below Abiquiu Dam is flowing at 51.3 cubic-feet-per-second. This is very low. The water here is murky. The fishing could be at least fair for stocked and holdover rainbow trout. There are some big, wild brown trout here. Fly Fishermen should use flies with a little flash to them. It was stocked Oct. 18 with 761 rainbow trout. The limit here is two-fish-per-day.
The Chama River below El Vado Dam is flowing at 34.4 cubic-feet-per-second. This is extremely low and will have a negative impact on the wild brown trout that spawn in the fall. The fishing has been fair-to-good for stocked rainbow trout and wild brown trout. The state-record brown trout was caught here. It was stocked Oct. 1 with 440 rainbow trout.
The State Game and Fish Department stocked 71,323 Rio Grande cutthroat trout fry Aug. 26 below El Vado Dam. The Department is trying to create a fishery here for cutthroat trout. The fry averaged just 1.1 inches in length.
The streamflow in the Chama River above El Vado Lake is higher than last week. Fishing is tough but conditions are a little better. The streamflow at La Puente is 39.3 cubic-feet-per-second. It was stocked Oct. 1 with 792 rainbow trout. Try fishing below the outflow from Heron Dam.
The nearby Brazos River is flowing at 17.2 cubic-feet-per-second. It was stocked Oct. 13 with 385 rainbow trout. The Brazos Lodge Pond was stocked Sept. 20 with 93 rainbow trout. The Brazos River also has wild brown trout.
Laguna del Campo near Los Ojos is closed for the season.
The Canjilon Lakes and the Trout Lakes near Cebolla are open and accessible. Forest service roads may have some muddy conditions. The fishing is much better after they are stocked. The Canjilon Lakes were stocked Sept. 22 with 600 catchable-size rainbow trout and with 250 rainbow trout averaging 18.8 inches in size. They were also stocked Sept. 20 with 977 catchable-size Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Please remember only two cutthroat trout may be kept as part of a five-fish-per-day limit.
The Canjilon Lakes were stocked Oct. 25 with 4,995 fingerling Rio Grande cutthroat trout.
The Trout Lakes were stocked Sept. 9 with 202 rainbow trout averaging 18.7 inches in size. They were stocked Sept. 21 with 500 catchable-size rainbow trout.
The Trout Lakes were stocked Oct. 28 with 5,020 fingerling Rio Grande cutthroat trout.
The Lagunitas Lakes were stocked Sept. 8 with 1,501 rainbow trout. This was the second stocking of the year. They were stocked Oct. 18 with 5,017 Rio Grande cutthroat trout fingerlings.
Hopewell Lake between Tres Piedras and Tierra Amarilla is open, as is the nearby campground. The fishing has been fair-to-good. It was stocked Sept. 21 with 2,244 rainbow trout. It also has wild brook trout.
Hopewell Lake was stocked Oct. 25 with 4,995 fingerling Rio Grande cutthroat trout.
The Rio de los Pinos near the Colorado border was running a little low. It was stocked Oct. 19 with 1,349 rainbow trout. Fly fishing conditions are good. There should be increased brown trout activity.
Santa Cruz Lake near Chimayo is currently open Thursday-Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Overlook campground is open. The North Shore campground is closed. The fishing has been slow. It should pick up as the water cools and stocking resumes. It was stocked Oct. 21 with 2,625 rainbow trout. It also has wild brown trout. The boat ramp is open. For updated conditions, check the Bureau of Land Management website.
The Cimarron River in Cimarron Canyon State Park is open. Fishing has been good for stocked rainbow and wild brown trout. It was stocked Oct. 13 with 2,019 rainbow trout. Streamflow below Eagle Nest Dam is 4.62 cubic-feet-per-second. This is lower than last week. The flow is still low downstream and is at 5.17 cubic-feet-per-second near the town of Cimarron.
The Cimarron Gravel Pit Lakes at Maverick campground were stocked Oct. 13 with 98 rainbow trout. The fishing has been good.
Sugarite Canyon State Park near Raton is open daily. Lake Alice and Lake Maloya are open for fishing. Camping is available by reservation only. Lake Alice is a small lake and the fishing is primarily for recently-stocked rainbow trout. Lake Maloya is bigger and is capable of producing larger, holdover trout. It was stocked Oct. 12 with 2,623 rainbow trout. Call (575).445.5607 for current conditions.
Clayton Lake and the Charette Lakes are closed for the season.
Morphy Lake State Park is closed for the season.
Storrie Lake State Park is open. It was stocked Oct. 18 with 1,021 catchable-size rainbow trout and with 150 rainbow trout averaging 16.3 inches in size.
Cochiti Lake is open. Fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass has been fair-to-good. Crappie, catfish and northern pike are being caught as well. The boat ramp is open. Reservations are no longer needed to enter the lake. Camping reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov. They are not sold at the lake. The Tetilla Peak Recreation Area is closed. This lake is managed by the Corps of Engineers.
Tingley Beach in Albuquerque is now being stocked. Stockings here will continue through the winter. It was stocked Oct, 20 with 1,125 catchable-size rainbow trout and with 65 rainbow trout averaging 15.5 inches in size.
Over in the Four Corners Navajo Lake State Park is open. Camping is by reservation only. The bass fishing has been good. The fishing for northern pike has been fair-to-good. Snagging season for kokanee salmon began Oct. 1 at Navajo Lake. The snagging was reported to be very good. It is usually best in the Navajo Dam area. Boating conditions are good. Call (505).632.2278 for conditions.
Tiger Park Pond and Aztec Pond #1 in Aztec are now being stocked. Tiger Park Pond was stocked Oct. 7 with 675 catchable-size rainbow trout and with 60 rainbow trout averaging 19.2 inches in size. Aztec Pond was stocked Oct. 18 with 85 catchable-size rainbow trout and with 60 rainbow trout averaging 19.6 inches in size.
Jackson Lake north of Farmington is now being stocked. It was stocked Oct. 12 with 757 rainbow trout.
Lake Farmington is being stocked again. It was stocked Oct. 18 with 781 catchable-size rainbow trout and with 100 rainbow trout averaging 19.6 inches in size.
Bluewater Lake State Park is open. Boating conditions are listed as good. Camping is allowed by reservation only. Lake water level is low. The trout fishing is slow. Tiger muskies are being caught and the fishing for them has been good using big crank baits and waterdogs. The fish are somewhat skinny. Fishing for catfish is fair using hot dogs. Call (505).876.2391 for current conditions.
The Rio Grande streamflow is 243 cubic-feet-per-second at Taos Junction Bridge. This is a little higher than last week and below normal. The fishing has been good for rainbow and brown trout. Anglers are catching smallmouth bass and some northern pike in the Pilar area. The Rio Grande at Pilar was stocked Oct. 5 with 1,498 rainbow trout
The Rio Grande Gorge northof Pilar was stocked Oct.27 with 9,531 fingerling Rio Grande cutthroat trout.
From the Colorado state line downstream to the Taos Junction Bridge, the limit is two-trout-per-day in the Rio Grande.
The streamflow in the Rio Pueblo near Penasco is 8.09 cubic-feet-per-second. The flow is lower than normal. The fishing should be fair-to-good for stocked rainbow trout and wild brown trout. It was stocked Sept. 28 with 900 rainbow trout.
The Red River near the Red River Fish Hatchery is flowing at 38.7 cubic-feet-per-second. The fishing is normally fair-to-good here for stocked rainbow trout and some wild brown trout. It was stocked Oct. 28 with 524 catchable-size rainbow trout and with 50 rainbow trout averaging 15.5 inches in size. It was stocked Oct. 27 with 7,063 fingerling Rio Grande cutthroat trout.
The Red River Hatchery Pond is now open and was stocked Sept. 22 with 60 rainbow trout averaging 17.3 inches in size. It was stocked Oct. 20 with 298 catchable-size rainbow trout and with 80 rainbow trout averaging 15.5 inches in size. The fishing here is for anglers under 14 years-of-age and over 65 years old. The limit here is three fish per-day
Eagle Rock Lake near Questa is open. This little lake is right off the highway between Questa and Red River. It was stocked Oct. 28 with 374 catchable-size rainbow trout and with50 rainbow trout averaging 15.5 inches in size.
The Shuree Ponds on the Valle Vidal were stocked Aug. 9 with 500 rainbow trout averaging 14.8 inches in size. Fishing here is with flies and lures with a single, barbless hook. The limit is two fish-per-day.
The best river in the state and well-known throughout the angling world is the San Juan River below Navajo Dam. The streamflow here is 382 cubic-feet-per-second. This is a little lower than last week and below normal. It offers world-class fly fishing for big trout.
The fishing has been good with a variety of fly patterns in the four miles of Quality Water below the Dam. The fishing here is catch-and-release with flies and lures having a single, barbless hook. The Quality Water is stocked with small rainbow trout that grow quickly in the fertile waters. There are big, wild brown trout in the Quality Water. Some of these fish would likely shatter the state record if they could be kept and weighed.
The fishing in the Bait Water of the San Juan below the Quality Water has been fair-to-good with flies, bait and lures. A regular daily limit of five trout may be kept here. There are some big brown trout here too. It was stocked Oct. 13 with 2,253 rainbow trout.
The Pecos River above the town of Pecos ran well this summer thanks to monsoon rains. The streamflow at Pecos was 37.4 cubic-feet-per-second, which is lower than last week and near normal. The fishing has been fair for stocked rainbow trout and wild brown trout. It was stocked Oct. 13 with 2,250 rainbow trout.
Holy Ghost Creek in the Pecos drainage was stocked Sept. 21 with 400 rainbow trout. The Mora fork of the Pecos River was stocked Sept. 22 with 400 rainbow trout. It also has wild brown trout. Cow Creek was stocked Aug. 25 with 501 rainbow trout.
The Gallinas River near Las Vegas is running about the sme as last week. The streamflow was 5.95 cubic-feet-per-second. Some good-sized holdover trout have been caught. It was stocked Sept. 8 with 1,000 rainbow trout. The Gallinas Ice Pond was stocked Sept. 8 with 200 rainbow trout.
Monastery Lake is open to fishing. It was stocked Oct. 26 with 748 catchable-size rainbow trout. Please pick up your trash here as this is private property and should be respected. Fishing here is possible through the State Game and Fish Department’s Open Gate Program. It draws a crowd on weekends.
Credit: Source link
