Catches of the week
Bryan Novotny, of Rio Rancho, caught a 20-inch walleye at Conchas Lake using a Cincy Fisher ½-ounce jigging blade in 25-feet of water near the dam Dec. 17.
Damian Padilla, of Belen, caught a 3-pound largemouth bass at
Escondida Lake using a black leech pattern fly Dec. 20.
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Martin Bonilla, of Alto, caught and released a 22-inch 5-pound rainbow trout at Grindstone Reservoir using a marshmallow Dec. 14.
Reyes Calbert, of Portales, caught a 16-inch rainbow trout at Oasis Park Lake using a Kastmaster spoon Dec. 16.
Andre Garcia, 11, of Clovis, caught a 17-inch rainbow trout at Perch Lake using salmon peach PowerBait Dec. 19.
Carson Rose, 5, of Albuquerque, caught a 16-inch rainbow trout at Tingley Beach kids’ pond using his “Cars” fishing pole with garlic PowerBait on Dec. 19.
If you have a catch of the week story send it to funfishingnm@gmail.com.
NOTES from GAME & FISH
Cabresto Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Charette Lakes is closed for the season.
Streamflow on the Cimarron River near Cimarron on Monday morning not measured due to ice. Per the public health order, effective Dec. 3, New Mexico state parks reopened to N.M. residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information. Anglers reported limited open water to fish.
Clayton Lake is closed until March 2021.
Fishing for walleye at Conchas Lake was slow using Cincy Fisher ½ -ounce jigging blades in 25-feet of water. Fishing for all other species was very slow. Water temperatures were in the low to mid-40s.
At 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 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 Forest Road 1950 downstream to its confluence with Rio Costilla and all tributaries) with a tentative restocking of the 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 the 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 had no reports from anglers this week.
At Coyote Creek, per the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to N.M. residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information.
At Eagle Nest Lake, per the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to N.M. residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information. It is closed to boating, ice-fishing and shore fishing due to recent weather conditions that have led to unsafe lake surface conditions. The lake is currently closed to all watercraft, including canoes, kayaks, inflatables and all types of motorboats.
Eagle Rock Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Fawn Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.
Gallinas River had no reports from anglers this week.
Hopewell Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
A t Lake Alice, per the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to N.M. residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information. The lake opened for ice fishing.
At Lake Maloya, per the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to N.M. residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information. The lake is open for ice fishing.
Los Pinos River had no reports from anglers this week.
Maxwell Lake 13 is closed for the season.
Monastery Lake is closed due to COVID-19 health concerns. Check the Open Gate webpage for future updates.
Morphy Lake is closed for a renovation project on the dam and no firm opening date is set.
Streamflow on the Pecos River near the town of Pecos on Monday morning was not measured due to ice. Fishing for trout was fair using worms.
Streamflow on the Red River below the hatchery Monday morning was 37.5 cfs. Fishing for trout near the hatchery was fair using dry hopper and nymph fly rigs.
Streamflow on the Rio Grande at the Taos Junction Bridge on Monday morning was 370 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair using large colorful bead head nymph flies.
Streamflow on the Rio Hondo on Monday morning near Valdez was not measured due to ice.
Streamflow on the Rio Mora on Monday morning was not measured due to ice.
Streamflow on the Rio Pueblo near Pe ñ asco on Monday morning was not measured due to ice.
Santa Cruz Reservoir had no reports from anglers this week.
Shuree Ponds had no reports from anglers this week.
Anglers reported thin ice and unsafe fishing conditions at Springer Lake .
At Storrie Lake, in accordance with the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information.
Fishing for walleye at Stubblefield Lake was fair using jigs in two to five feet of water. Anglers reported ice conditions varying from day-to-day and often being unsafe.
At Ute Lake, in accordance with the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks will reopen to New Mexico residence for day-use only.
The boat ramp is closed at Abiqui ú Lake .
Water flow on the Animas River below Aztec on Monday morning was 135 cfs.
Albuquerque Area Drains had no reports from anglers this week.
At Bluewater Lake, in accordance with the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to N.M. residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information. It is closed to boating and ice-fishing due to recent weather conditions that have led to unsafe lake surface conditions. The lake is currently closed to all watercraft, including canoes, kayaks, inflatables and all types of motorboats.
Brazos River had no reports from anglers this week.
Canjilon Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.
On the Chama River, Monday morning flows below El Vado and Abiquiú were 105 cfs and 47 cfs, respectively. Fishing for trout below El Vado Lake was fair to good using bead head nymph flies. Fishing for trout below Abiquiú Lake was good using small green midge pattern flies, brown and black size 12-16 weighted beadhead nymph flies, hare’s ear, pheasant tail and Perdigon nymph flies.
Cochiti Lake is scheduled to reopen on Jan. 4, 2021.
El Vado Lake State Park is open at the Dam Day Use area only from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and New Mexico Residents only. Salmon Snagging season continues through Dec. 31.
At Fenton Lake, in accordance with the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information. The lake is closed to boating and ice-fishing due to recent weather conditions that have led to unsafe lake surface conditions. The lake is currently closed to all watercraft, including canoes, kayaks, inflatables and all types of motorboats.
At Heron Lake, in accordance with the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to N.M. residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information. The lake can be accessed at Ridge Rock or La Laja. Salmon Snagging season continues through Dec. 31. Fishing for trout was good using marshmallow bait. All boat ramps are closed due to low water. The Quality Waters of the Rio Chama can be accessed at the Rio Chama Trailhead. Stairs are closed, but access to the river can be gained by using the road.
At the Jemez Waters, streamflow on the Jemez, near the town of Jemez, on Monday morning was 21.7 cfs.
Laguna del Campo is closed for the season.
Lagunitas Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.
Fishing for trout at Lake Farmington was good using white PowerBait.
Manzano Lake is closed until further notice.
McGaffey Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Navajo Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Anglers at San Gregorio Lake reported that the lake is frozen.
Streamflow on the San Juan River on Monday morning was 343 cfs. In accordance with the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to N.M. residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information. Fishing for trout was good using zebra midge flies, streamers, bunny leeches and Woolly Bugger flies.
Seven Springs Brood Pond is closed due to COVID-19 health concerns. Check the department’s alerts page for future updates.
At Tingley Beach, in accordance with the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to N.M. residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information. Fishing for trout was good using yellow and garlic flavored PowerBait.
Trout Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.
Fishing for trout at Alumni Pond was good using flavored salmon eggs and marshmallows.
Fishing for trout at Bear Canyon Lake was fair to good using nymph flies, yellow Pistol Pete spinners and multicolored Kastmaster spoons tipped with a yellow PowerBait worm. Fishing for crappie was slow to fair using tan/yellow beadhead nymph flies.
Bill Evans Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
At Caballo Lake, in accordance with the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to N.M. residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information.
At Elephant Butte Lake, in accordance with the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to N.M. residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information. Fishing for catfish was good using shad.
Fishing for trout at Escondida Lake was good using black leech pattern flies.
Streamflow on the Gila River on Monday morning was 51.2 cfs.
Glenwood Pond had no reports from anglers this week.
Fishing for trout at Lake Roberts was good using nymph flies and small gold spoons. Fishing for catfish was slow using cut carp bait. Fishing for bass was slow using green grubs.
At Percha Dam, in accordance with the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to N.M. residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information.
Quemado Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Rancho Grande Ponds had no reports from anglers this week.
Streamflow on the Rio Grande, below Elephant Butte, on Monday morning was .83 cfs. There were no reports from anglers this week.
Snow Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Trees Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Young Pond is closed by the city of Las Cruces due to COVID-19 health concerns.
Fishing for rainbow trout at Alto Lake was good using salmon peach PowerBait.
Bataan Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Streamflow on the Black River at Malaga on Monday morning was 9.57 cfs.
Blue Hole Park Pond had no reports from anglers this week.
Bonito Lake is 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 had no reports from anglers this week.
At Bottomless Lakes, in accordance with the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to N.M. residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information. Fishing for trout was good using worms and PowerBait.
At Brantley Lake, in accordance with the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to N.M. residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information.
Fishing for trout at Carlsbad Municipal Lake was good using white PowerBait.
Chaparral Park Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Fishing for trout at Corona Pond was good using earthworms.
Eunice Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Fishing for trout at Green Meadow Lake was good using homemade dough bait and cheese PowerBait.
Greene Acres Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Fishing for trout was good at Grindstone Reservoir using salmon peach PowerBait and marshmallows. Anglers reported the lake was limited to residence and to check openings before you go.
Jal Lake had no reports from anglers this week.
Fishing for trout at Lake Van was good using spoons and dough bait.
At Oasis Park Lake, in accordance with the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to N.M. residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information. Fishing for trout was good using Kastmaster spoons.
Streamflow on the Pecos River, below Sumner Lake, on Monday morning was 21.0 cfs.
Fishing for trout at Perch Lake was good using salmon peach PowerBait.
Streamflow on the Ruidoso River on Monday morning at Hollywood was 4.31 cfs.
At Santa Rosa Lake, in accordance with the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to N.M. residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information.
At Sumner Lake, in accordance with the public health order, effective Dec. 3, N.M. state parks reopened to N.M. residents for day-use only. Please check the state parks’ website for more information.
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