Weekly Fishing Report

 Free Fishing Day is June 3

Saturday, June 3, is National Fishing Day, a perfect time to take the family fishing. On this special day, you don't need a license to enjoy fishing at any of New Mexico's public waters. All other fishing rules still apply.

May 23, 2006
This fishing report has been generated from the best information available from officers and anglers

Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, however, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.

Catches of the week

Ramah Lake: May 15, Jim Lichtensteiger of Albuquerque caught a 19.5-inch rainbow trout. He was using a silver Super Duper.

Heron Lake: May 18, Jeff McBrayer caught a 34.5-inch, 14.1-pound lake trout. He was trolling a rainbow double whammy in 20 feet of water fishing for kokanee.   May 19, Frank Ortiz of Rutheron caught a 37.5-inch 20.8-pound lake trout. He was jigging a white buzz bomb.

Cochiti Lake: May 21, Larry Regalado of Los Lunas caught a 9.75-pound northern pike and a 3.5-pound smallmouth bass. He was using minnows. Also on May 21, Dean Watkins of Albuquerque caught a 37-inch northern pike. He was using a red and white Daredevle.  

If you have a catch of the week story, send it to us at fishnm@hotmail.com. Include date, location, type of fish, length and bait used to catch the fish.

NORTHEAST AREA

CHARETTE LAKES: Trout fishing was good for anglers using salmon eggs, power bait, spinners, spinner/worm combinations and Pistol Petes. Most of the trout caught were in the 9-18 inch size. Fishing was fair-to-good using worms for perch.

CIMARRON RIVER: Water flow below Eagle Nest as of Monday was 9.7cfs. Trout fishing was tough with the water being low and clear. A few fish were taken by anglers using parachute adams and yellow humpys.

GRAVEL PIT LAKES: Fishing was fair for anglers using power bait, spinners and prop flies under a bubble for trout.

CLAYTON LAKE: Trout fishing was fair-to-good for anglers using worms, salmon eggs and corn. Anglers trolling spinner/worm combinations caught a few largemouth bass and walleye. A few good size catfish were taken by anglers fishing at night and using night crawlers. Several carp were caught by anglers using corn, worms and power bait.

COCHITI LAKE: There were several very good reports from here again this past week. Anglers did well using minnows for white bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and bluegill. Several white bass were also taken by anglers trolling crank baits and spinners. Northern pike and largemouth bass were caught on a variety of baits including minnows, crank baits, tubes, senkos and spinner baits. A few walleye were taken by anglers using crank baits and spinner/night crawler combinations.

CONCHAS LAKE: This is almost a repeat of last week's report with very good fishing reported by anglers fishing for walleye, white bass, crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass and catfish. Most of the walleye and white bass were taken by anglers fishing with crank baits, spinner/worm combinations, Rooster Tails and curly tail grubs. Good reports came from anglers fishing the north end of the lake, the Rattlesnake Island area and along the riprap. Smallmouth bass fishing was good for anglers using top water lures, crank baits, tubes, jigs, senkos and lizards. Crappie and bluegill were taken by anglers using minnows, worms and wet flies. Fishing for catfish was good for anglers using liver, dough bait and night crawlers.

COYOTE CREEK: Trout fishing was fair for anglers using salmon eggs, power bait and small spinners.

EAGLE NEST LAKE: Trout fishing was good for angler using salmon eggs, power bait and marshmallow/salmon egg combinations from the bank and also from anchored boats. Most of the fish caught were in the 10-to-19 inch range. Anglers trolling with light line also caught a few good size rainbows. Anglers trolling with lead core and using spinners caught a few kokanee. Fishing was fair using worms for perch.

LAKE MALOYA/LAKE ALICE: Bank fishing was good at both lakes this past week. Anglers did well using home made dough baits, power bait and salmon eggs for 8-to-11 inch trout.  Fishing from boats at Lake Maloya was good for anglers using Pistol Petes and gold spinners.

MAXWELL LAKE 13: Fishing was good for anglers using power bait, salmon eggs and spinners for trout.

MCALLISTER LAKE: Fishing was fair-to-good for anglers using salmon eggs, power bait, spoons and Pistol Petes for trout.

MONASTERY LAKE: Fishing was fair-to-good for anglers using corn, salmon eggs, spinners and prop flies under a bubble for trout.

MORPHY LAKE: Trout fishing was very good this past week for anglers using power bait, salmon eggs, Pistol Petes, spinners, spoons and wet flies under a bubble. Hours of operation are from 8a.m. to 8p.m. daily until further notice.

PECOS RIVER: As of Monday morning, water flow was 47cfs near the town of Pecos. Trout fishing was good using stimulators, spinners, copper john barrs, bead head hares ears, salmon eggs and worms. Anglers also did well using the same baits on the Mora.

RED RIVER: Water flow near Questa was 50cfs and below the hatchery was 75cfs as of Monday. Fishing was good this past week for anglers using worms, salmon eggs, spinners, parachute adams, prince nymphs and copper john barrs for trout.

RIO GRANDE: As of Monday, water flow near the Taos Junction Bridge was 393cfs. Fishing was fair for anglers using night crawlers, wooly buggers and streamers for trout and a few smallmouth bass. We had no reports on other species.

SANTA CRUZ: We had no reports from anglers this week.

SPRINGER LAKE: Fishing was fair for anglers using Rat-L-Traps, large Mepps spinners and bunny leeches for 22-to-29 inch northern pike. We had no reports on other species.

STORRIE LAKE: Fishing was good for anglers using yellow and chartreuse power bait and salmon eggs for trout.

UTE LAKE: The weather was hot here this past week but so was the fishing. Anglers did very well using senkos, tubes, grubs, lizards, craws, buzz baits, spinner baits, Ricos, wood choppers and Zara Spooks for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Some of the largemouth bass were still on the beds. Fishing was very good for anglers using crank baits, spinner/worm combinations and grubs for walleye. One angler reported doing very well using dark fluorescent worm harnesses tipped with leeches and worked at 20-to-35 feet. White bass fishing was very good for anglers using top water lures, crank baits, sassy shad and spinners. Fishing for catfish was good for anglers using dough bait, hot dogs and liver. The surface water temp ranged from the high 60s to the low 70s.

NORTHWEST AREA

ABIQUIU LAKE: Fishing was good for anglers using tubes, grubs, crank baits and worms for smallmouth bass. Anglers trolling crank baits at the upper end of the lake also caught a few good size brown trout. Walleye fishing was good for anglers slow trolling the upper flats with spinner/night crawler or spinner/gulp worm combinations. They were working the flats on both sides of the lake in 15-to-20 feet of water. A few smallmouth bass and catfish were taken by anglers fishing from the bank and using liver, shrimp and night crawlers. Water surface temps were in the low 60s.

BLUEWATER LAKE: Trout fishing was good for anglers using spinners, salmon eggs and power bait. Most of the fish were in the 9-to-13 inch range. Fishing for catfish was fair-to-good for anglers using shrimp and night crawlers. We had no reports on other species.

BURNS CANYON LAKE: Fishing was fair for anglers using power bait, salmon eggs, prop flies under a bubble and spinners for trout. Refer to your rules and information booklet for special rules on this water.

CHAMA RIVER: Water flow below El Vado Lake on Monday morning was 504cfs and 657cfs below Abiquiu. We had no reports from anglers this week.

CONSERVANCY PARK LAKE (Tingley Beach): We had no reports from anglers this week.

EL VADO LAKE: Trout fishing was fair for anglers using night crawlers and power bait for trout. A few fish were also taken on spinners. Most of the fish caught were taken near the dam and by the boat ramp.

FENTON LAKE: Trout fishing was good for anglers using power bait, salmon eggs, corn, wooly buggers, Pistol Petes, worms and spinners.

HERON LAKE: Fishing for rainbow trout was good this past week from the bank and from boats. Anglers fishing from the bank did well using power bait and salmon eggs. Anglers fishing from boats did best trolling double whammies and Panther Martins in 18-to-22 feet of water. They also reported catching a few kokanee and lake trout. A few lake trout were also taken on jigs.

JEMEZ WATERS: As of Monday, water flow on the Jemez near Jemez Springs was 15cfs. Trout fishing was reported as good here and on the Rio Las Vacas, the Guadalupe and Cebolla. Best baits were prince nymphs, copper john barrs, stone flies, small spinners and salmon eggs.

MANZANO LAKE: Fishing was fair for anglers using prop flies, power bait and salmon eggs for trout.

MCGAFFEY LAKE: Fishing was fair-to-good for anglers using corn, salmon eggs, power bait and spinners for trout.

NAVAJO LAKE: Bass fishing was reported as very good this past week. At a tournament over the weekend, 23 of the 25 boats entered weighed in 5 bass limits. Best baits were tubes, senkos, crank baits, spinner baits and jerk baits. A few bass were also taken on top water lures. Anglers fishing for bass up the San Juan arm also caught several northern pike. Fishing was very good using minnows, jigs and tubes for crappie. Good reports came from anglers fishing near the marinas, in La Jara Canyon and in Francis Canyon. Anglers reported catching a few good size kokanee. They were fishing near the mouth of Francis Canyon and trolling Z Rays and Cripplures at 5-to-7 colors.

RAMAH LAKE: Fishing was fair using worms for bluegill and rainbow trout. The lake is extremely low and very off color.

SAN GREGORIO LAKE: The lake was recently stocked with rainbow trout but we have had no reports from anglers.

SAN JUAN: Water flow below Navajo Lake as of Monday was 352cfs. Fishing in the Quality Water section was good for anglers using RS2s, sparkle worms, San Juan worms, bead head pheasant tails, parachute adams and Griffith's gnats. Anglers did well in the bait waters using jerk baits, copper john barrs, night crawlers and salmon eggs for rainbow and brown trout. Beginning May 25, flows will be ramped up over a one week period to 5,000cfs, will remain there for 1 week and then will be ramped back down for 1 week.

SOUTHWEST AREA

BEAR CANYON: We had no reports from anglers this week.

BILL EVANS LAKE: Fishing was good for anglers using poppers and small wet flies for bluegill. Fishing was slow-to-fair using crank baits, craws, senkos and top water lures for largemouth bass. A few trout were taken on worms and power bait.

CABALLO LAKE: Fishing was very good again this past week for most anglers fishing for white bass and walleye. Anglers did well trolling crank baits, sassy shad and spinners. A few good walleye were also taken by anglers using spinner/night crawler combinations. Fishing was good using liver, shrimp, night crawlers and dough bait for catfish.

ELEPHANT BUTTE: Fishing was fair-to-good this past week for anglers using grubs, Rooster Tails, crank baits and live bait for white bass. Anglers did well fishing near Kettle Top and near the mouth of McCrae Canyon. Fishing was good for anglers using senkos, tubes, top water lures, jerk baits and crank baits for black bass. Anglers did best working main lake and secondary points. Some good size walleye were taken by anglers using spinner/night crawler combinations, tubes and grubs. Fishing for catfish was good for anglers using liver, shrimp, hot dogs and night crawlers. Fishing for striped bass was slow but a few stripers were taken on umbrella rigs and live bait.

ESCONDIDA LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.

GILA RIVER: Water on the main river was flowing at 31cfs as of Monday morning. We had no reports from anglers this week.

LAKE ROBERTS: Fishing was fair for anglers using power bait, salmon eggs, prop flies and spinners for trout. We had no reports on other species. A few small catfish were taken on worms.

PERCHA DAM: Fishing was slow for all species.

QUEMADO LAKE: Trout fishing was good for anglers using wooly buggers and Pistol Petes, worms, power bait and salmon eggs. The trout ranged is size from 10-to-18 inches.

RIO GRANDE: Water flow below Elephant Butte was 1,520cfs as of Monday. Fishing was good again this past week for anglers fishing the river above and below Caballo Lake. Anglers reported catching several catfish and white bass and a few walleye. Best baits were liver, shrimp, jig and grub combinations, sassy shad, night crawlers and minnows.

SOUTHEAST AREA

BATAAN LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.

BONITO LAKE: As of May 2nd, the City of Alamogordo has closed the lake to fishing and other activity. For further information and updates call 505-336-4157.

BOSQUE REDONDO: Fishing was slow for all species.

BRANTLEY: Fishing was slow for all species.

CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.

GRINDSTONE RESERVOIR: Fishing was fair for anglers using salmon eggs, spinners, bead head nymphs and prop flies under a bubble for trout.

LAKE VAN: We had no reports from anglers this week.

PECOS: Below Sumner Lake, water flow on Monday was 79cfs. Fishing was fair using minnows, liver and worms for catfish.

PERCH LAKE: Fishing was slow-to-fair for anglers using prop flies and salmon eggs for trout.

RUIDOSO RIVER: Water flow as of Monday was .79cfs. Fishing was slow.

SANTA ROSA LAKE: Fishing pressure was light but fishing was very good for anglers looking for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Best baits were crank baits, jerk baits, top water lures, senkos and tubes. Anglers fishing for bass reported catching several good size crappie and a few walleye.

SUMNER LAKE: Fishing pressure fell of considerably this past week but the bass fishing was still good. Anglers did well using jerk baits, crank baits and tubes for smallmouth bass. A few walleye were taken by anglers trolling spinner/night crawler rigs and crank baits. A few good size catfish were taken on liver and night crawlers.