Weekly Fishing Report

Kokanee salmon snagging season runs through Dec. 31 in the following waters: Abiquiu Lake, Chama River from El Vado Lake to west boundary of the Rio Chama Wildlife and Fishing Area, El Vado Lake, Navajo Lake, Eagle Nest Lake, Heron Lake, Willow Creek and the Pine River. Check the 2006-2007 Fishing Rules & Information Booklet for more details.

Dec. 5, 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

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

This is a new e-mail address for catches of the week.

NORTHEAST AREA

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

CONCHAS LAKE: There were no anglers on the water this past week. If you are planning to fish here try using slab spoons or jig and minnow combinations for white bass and walleye. Look for schools of fish in 30-to-60 feet of water. Once a school is located work your spoon or jig with very little movement. When you feel a little weight, set the hook. If you plan on releasing your catch, bring the fish up slowly.

EAGLE NEST LAKE: As of this past Monday, the lake was completely covered with a thin layer of ice. It was unsafe for ice fishing. For updated conditions call the state park office at 505-377-1594.

LAKE MALOYA/LAKE ALICE: Trout fishing was rated as fair-to-good at Lake Maloya and fair at Lake Alice this past week. Anglers did best using green and chartreuse power bait. There was some ice around the edges at both lakes but still plenty of open water for bank fishing.

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

PECOS RIVER: As of Monday morning, water flow was 34cfs near the town of Pecos. Trout fishing was fair for anglers using copper john barrs, egg patterns, salmon eggs, power bait, worms and spinners. The best reports came from anglers fishing from the town of Pecos to Villanueva.

RED RIVER: Water flow as of Monday near Questa was 10cfs and below the hatchery was 32cfs. Trout fishing was slow-to-fair for anglers using egg patterns, small copper john barrs and salmon eggs. Fishing pressure was light.

RIO GRANDE: As of Monday, water flow near the Taos Junction Bridge was 452cfs. Fishing was slow for all species. Northern pike action should pick up with the lower, clearer water. Use large bunny leeches or jerk baits for some good pike action.

SHUREE PONDS: We had no reports from anglers this week.

STORRIE LAKE : Fishing was slow for all species. Fishing pressure was very light.

UTE LAKE: Walleye and white bass fishing was good for some anglers this past week. They did well using chartreuse and white slab spoons and working them in 40-to-55 feet of water. One angler reported catching a limit of 2-to-3 pound walleye. Most of the action took place on the main lake and along the main channel. Anglers jigging slab spoons also picked up a few smallmouth bass. We had no reports on other species.

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

ALBUQUERQUE AREA DRAINS: Fishing on the Albuquerque, Belen and Bernalillo Drains was fair for anglers using salmon eggs and salmon egg/corn combinations for trout. Fishing on the Corrales Drain was reported as slow.

NORTHWEST AREA

ANIMAS RIVER: Trout fishing was fair for anglers using wooly buggers, San Juan worms and egg patterns. A few trout were also taken on salmon eggs and power bait.

BLUEWATER LAKE: As of Monday of this week there was a thin layer of ice covering the lake. The ice is unsafe for fishing. For updated conditions, call the state park office at 505-876-2391.

CHAMA RIVER: Water flow below El Vado Lake on Monday morning was 223cfs and 212cfs below Abiquiu. Fishing below El Vado Lake was fair-to-good for anglers using spinners, jerk baits, salmon eggs and worms for brown and rainbow trout. Below Abiquiu anglers did best using wooly buggers and spinners for brown trout.

CONSERVANCY PARK LAKE: Anglers fishing here this past week rated the action as fair at all three ponds with the best fishing taking place in the afternoon hours. Best baits at the catch and keep ponds were salmon eggs, power bait and Pistol Petes. Anglers fishing the catch and release pond did best using small egg patterns, small bunny leeches and small attractor dry flies.

EL VADO LAKE : We had no reports from anglers this week.

FENTON LAKE: As of this past Monday, there was a thin layer of ice covering the lake. It was considered unsafe for fishing at this time. For updated ice conditions, call the state part office at 505-829-3630.

HERON LAKE: Kokanee snagging is about over for the season as the fish are getting quite soft. However, anglers are still doing well using roe sacs, salmon eggs and power bait for rainbow trout. Our best reports this past week came from anglers fishing near the main boat ramp and near the dam.

JEMEZ WATERS: As of Monday, water flow on the Jemez near Jemez Springs was 27cfs. Fishing was fair this past week for anglers using egg patterns, small copper john barrs and salmon eggs for trout. We had no reports from the other Jemez area streams. Anglers are reminded that access to the Rio Guadalupe is still closed at the lower end.

MANZANO LAKE: Trout fishing was slow-to-fair for anglers using salmon eggs and power bait. A few fish were also taken on spinners.

NAVAJO LAKE: Fishing for rainbow trout was fair for anglers using roe sacs and fishing near the dam and near the Pine arm boat ramp. Fishing for smallmouth bass was fair for anglers using small plastics and working them in 35-to-50 feet of water. We had no reports on other species.

RAMAH LAKE: The lake is open to fishing. However, it has not been restocked with trout and probably won't be until next spring. We had no reports from anglers this week.

SAN JUAN: Water flow below Navajo Lake as of Monday morning was 513cfs and the water on the upper river was clear. Trout fishing in the upper waters was good for anglers using egg patterns, small midge clusters, red annelids, dead chickens, gray emergers, UFOs and San Juan worms. Fishing the lower waters was good for anglers using worms, jerk baits, copper john barrs and salmon eggs.

SOUTHWEST AREA

BEAR CANYON: Trout fishing was fair-to-good for anglers using salmon eggs, power bait, wooly buggers and small spinners.

BILL EVANS LAKE: Trout fishing was fair for anglers using power bait, salmon eggs, worms and spinners. We had no reports on other species.

BURN LAKE: Trout fishing was fair-to-good for anglers using salmon eggs and power bait.

CABALLO LAKE: There were no anglers on the lake this past week.

ELEPHANT BUTTE: Anglers fishing for catfish reported the best luck again this past week. Best baits were cut bait, dough bait and chicken liver. Most of the fish were caught by anglers fishing above Kettle Top. We had no reports on other species.

GLENWOOD POND: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

GILA RIVER: Water flow near Gila on Monday was 92cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

PERCHA DAM: Fishing was slow for all species.

QUEMADO LAKE: As of this past Monday, there was some thin ice on the lake but there was also open water for bank fishing near the boat ramp area. Fishing was slow for all species but there were a few trout taken by anglers using salmon eggs.

RIO GRANDE: Water flow below Elephant Butte as of Monday was 5.5cfs. Fishing here and below Caballo this past week was slow for all species.

SOUTHEAST AREA

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

BOSQUE REDONDO: Trout fishing was fair-to-good for anglers using salmon eggs, power bait and spinners.

BOTTOMLESS LAKES: Trout fishing was fair for anglers using salmon eggs and power bait.

BRANTLEY: Anglers are to practice catch and release for all fish here as high levels of DDT were found in several fish. The water level is dropping and the west side boat ramp is closed. We had no reports from anglers this week.

CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL LAKE: Trout fishing was slow. A few fish were taken by anglers using power bait and salmon eggs.

GRINDSTONE RESERVOIR: We had no reports from anglers this week.

LAKE VAN: Trout fishing was fair-to-good for anglers using salmon eggs and power bait.

PECOS: Below Sumner Lake, water flow on Monday was 15cfs. Fishing was slow for all species.

PERCH LAKE: Trout fishing was fair for anglers using salmon eggs, power bait and Pistol Petes under a bubble.

RUIDOSO RIVER: Water flow at Ruidoso as of Monday was 5.3cfs. Trout fishing was slow-to-fair for anglers using small bead head nymphs and worms.

SANTA ROSA LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.

SUMNER LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species. Fishing pressure continued to be very light.