New Mexico Weekly Fishing Report - 8/26/2008

Lake levels — Click here for the latest water storage reports from New Mexico reservoirs.

 This week’s stocking report

August 26, 2008
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

Abiquiu Lake: On August 21, Jose M. Bustos, Jr. of Pojoaque caught a 29.5-inch, 8-pound 12-ounce walleye. He was using a bottom bouncer/worm rig and fishing the upper end of the lake.

Ute Lake: On August 22, Bob Lechel of Los Alamos caught a 5.2-pound smallmouth bass. He was using a top water lure.

San Juan River: On August 23, Matt Pelletier of Albuquerque caught a 24.5-inch rainbow trout. He was fishing the Upper Flats and using a dead chicken.

Heron Lake: On August 23, Destiny Montano, age 6, of Albuquerque caught a 19-inch kokanee. It was her first fish. On the same day, her sister Shyanne, age 8, caught a 20-inch kokanee. Both fish were caught on trolling rigs at 25 feet.

Conchas Lake: On August 23, Randy Campbell of Albuquerque caught a 4.4-pound largemouth bass. He was using a tube and fishing in the evening hours.

Elephant Butte: On August 24, Carlos Mercado of Rio Rancho caught a 38-inch, 25-pound striped bass. He was using a large gizzard shad.

If you have a catch of the week story or just want to tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing experience, send it to us at fishforfun2@hotmail.com. We may include your story in our next report. For catches of the week include name, date, location, type of fish, length and bait used.

NORTHEAST AREA

CHARETTE LAKES: Trout fishing on the lower lake was fair-to-good using power bait, salmon eggs, hoppers and wooly buggers. The trout ranged in size from 13-to-18 inches. Fishing was good using worms for perch.

CIMARRON RIVER: Water flow near the town of Cimarron as of Monday was 19cfs. Trout fishing was slow-to-fair using yellow stimulators small spinners and salmon eggs. We had no reports from the Gravel Pit Lakes.

CLAYTON LAKE: Trout fishing was slow-to-fair using power bait and worms. Fishing for all other species was slow. The water was clearing.

CONCHAS LAKE: Fishing was very good using top water lures, crank baits, tubes, worms, brush hogs and jigs for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Most of the bass ranged in size from 12-to-13.5 inches. Fishing was fair-to-good trolling crank baits and bottom bouncer/worm rigs for walleye and white bass. Most of the good action reported to us took place on the north side of the lake. Night fishing was fair-to-good using liver, night crawlers, shrimp and dough bait for catfish. Fishing was good using worms for bluegill.

COYOTE CREEK: Trout fishing was good using salmon eggs, worms, hoppers and copper john barrs.

EAGLE NEST LAKE: Fishing from the bank and from boats was good using worms for perch. Fishing was fair-to-good on some days slow on others for trout and kokanee. Anglers did best trolling needlefish and Panther Martins tipped with corn or still fishing and using power bait just off the bottom.

HOPEWELL LAKE: Trout fishing was fair using salmon eggs and Pistol Petes under a bubble.

LAKE MALOYA / LAKE ALICE: Evening fishing at Lake Maloya was fair-to-good this past week using Pistol Petes, home made dough baits and salmon eggs for trout. Fishing at Lake Alice was slow.

MAXWELL LAKES: Fishing was slow.

MCALLISTER LAKE: Due to poor water quality, the lake will remain closed until further notice.

MONASTERY LAKE: Trout fishing was good using cheese bait, corn, salmon eggs and Pistol Petes under a bubble.

MORPHY LAKE: Trout fishing was good for anglers fishing from boats and float tubes and using spinners, Pistol Petes and power bait.

PECOS RIVER: Water flow near the town of Pecos as of Monday morning was 80cfs. Trout fishing was good here and on the Mora for anglers using salmon eggs, night crawlers, spinners, stimulators and hoppers.

RED RIVER: Water flow below the hatchery was 109cfs. Trout fishing was good for anglers using spinners, hoppers, copper john barrs, wooly worms, salmon eggs and night crawlers.

RIO GRANDE: The water flow Monday morning at the Taos Junction Bridge was 338cfs. Trout fishing in the Pilar area was good using hoppers, wooly buggers, night crawlers and spinners. Fishing for pike was good using large bunny leeches.

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

SPRINGER LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.

STORRIE LAKE: Fishing was good using grasshoppers, salmon eggs and power bait for trout. Fishing for catfish at night was good for anglers using night crawlers and liver.

STUBBLEFIELD: We had no reports from anglers this week.

UTE LAKE: Fishing for white bass was very good if you could find the schools. Best baits were top water lures, Kastmasters and Lytle Secrets. Fishing for smallmouth bass was good using top water lures, lipless crank baits and spinner baits. A few smallmouth and largemouth bass were taken on tubes and 4 inch worms. Fishing for catfish was very good for anglers using liver, dough baits and night crawlers. We had no reports on other species.

NORTHWEST AREA

ABIQUIU LAKE: Fishing was good trolling bottom bouncer/night crawler rigs and deep running crank baits for walleye. A few were also taken using tubes and curly tail grubs on brushy points during windy conditions. Fishing for smallmouth bass was good using top water lures, crank baits, tubes and jigs. A few catfish were caught by anglers using night crawlers and liver. We had no reports on other species.

ANIMAS RIVER: We had no reports from anglers this week.

BLUEWATER LAKE: Fishing was slow for catfish and trout but a few tiger musky were caught by anglers trolling in line spinners.

CANJILON LAKES: We had no reports from anglers this week.

CHAMA RIVER: Monday morning water flows below El Vado and Abiquiu were 593cfs and 813cfs respectively. Fishing above and below El Vado was fair-to-good using night crawlers, streamers and black Panther Martins for brown trout up to 19 inches. Fishing for rainbow trout below El Vado was fair using power bait and salmon eggs. Fishing below Abiquiu was slow.

COCHITI LAKE: Fishing was fair for anglers using top water lures, crank baits and chigger craws for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Fishing was fair using crank baits, minnows and spinners for white bass. Fishing was fair using liver, night crawlers and hot dogs for catfish. A few crappie were taken on small tubes and jigs fished in the deeper trees. A few small pike were taken by anglers using spinner baits, crank baits, top water lures and jigs.

EL VADO LAKE: Fishing was slow-to-fair using salmon eggs, power bait, spinners and night crawlers for trout.

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

FENTON LAKE: Fishing was slow-to-fair using assorted colors of Pistol Petes, salmon eggs and power bait for trout.

HERON LAKE: Kokanee fishing continued to be very good using kokanee killers, Panther Martins, Double Whammies and Fish Creek spinners tipped with corn. Most of the fish were taken at depths of 30-to-38 feet. The best action was in the morning hours. Bank fishing and fishing for lake trout was slow.

JEMEZ WATERS: Water flow on the Jemez as of Monday morning was 61cfs near Jemez Springs. Trout fishing on the Jemez, Rio Las Vacas, Rio Guadalupe and the East Fork was good this past week for anglers using hoppers, royal wulffs, parachute adams, small spinners and salmon eggs.

LAGUNA Del CAMPO (Burns Canyon Lake): We had no reports from anglers this week.

MANZANO LAKE: Fishing was slow.

MCGAFFEY LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.

NAVAJO LAKE: Fishing was very good using small tubes and jigs in Bancos and La Jara canyons for crappie. Fishing was good using orange speed traps, Rat-L-Traps and spinner baits for northern pike up to 8 pounds. Fishing was slow but a few smallmouth bass and largemouth bass were taken on tubes and worms. Fishing was good trolling Arnies, Panther Martins and Rooster Tails at 28-to-40 feet for kokanee and rainbow trout. We had no reports on other species.

RAMAH LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.

SAN JUAN: Water flow below Navajo Lake as of Monday morning was at 802cfs. Trout fishing in the Quality Waters was fair using sparkle worms, red annelids, small bead head pheasant tail nymphs, dead chickens, emergers, black wooly buggers, Griffith ’s gnats and parachute adams . Fishing through the bait waters was fair using power bait, salmon eggs, wooly buggers, night crawlers, spinners and jerk baits.

SANTA CRUZ LAKE: Trout fishing was fair using spinners, spoons, power bait, worms and salmon eggs.

SEVEN SPRINGS BROOD POND: Trout fishing was good using salmon eggs and power bait.

TINGLEY BEACH: Fishing at the Youth and Central Ponds was very good using night crawlers and worms for bluegill. A few bass were caught by anglers using power worms and tubes. Fishing for catfish at the Central Pond was quite good this past weekend using shrimp, hot dogs, dough bait and night crawlers. Trout fishing at the Catch and Release pond was slow.

SOUTHWEST AREA

BEAR CANYON: Fishing was slow for all species.

BILL EVANS LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.

BURN LAKE: Fishing was slow.

CABALLO LAKE: Fishing was slow-to-fair using crank baits, minnows, top water lures, spinners and grubs for white bass. Walleye fishing was slow but a few were taken by anglers using crank baits and grubs. We had no reports on other species.

ELEPHANT BUTTE: Night fishing was good using cut bait, shrimp, night crawlers, dough bait and liver over baited holes and from the bank for catfish. Fishing was fair-to-good using live gizzard shad for striped bass. A few stripers were also taken on top water lures. Fishing was fair-to-good trolling and casting crank baits and grubs for white bass. A few white bass were also taken on top water lures and spoons. Good reports came from anglers fishing near McRae, the Jungles and Rock Canyon . Fishing was fair using top water lures, tubes, power worms and jerk baits for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.

ESCONDIDA LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.

GILA RIVER: Water flow on the Gila as of this past Monday was 99cfs. Fishing was slow.

GLENWOOD POND: Trout fishing was fair for anglers using salmon eggs under a bubble. The pond is quite mossy this time of year.

LAKE ROBERTS: Fishing was slow for all species.

PERCHA DAM: Fishing was slow for all species but a few white bass were caught by anglers using grubs and minnows.

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

RIO GRANDE: Water flow below Elephant Butte on Monday was 2,230cfs. Fishing below the Butte was slow but downstream anglers reported catching a few walleye. They were using spoons. Fishing below Caballo was slow.

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

SOUTHEAST AREA

BATAAN LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.

BONITO LAKE: Trout fishing was fair using worms, salmon eggs, Pistol Petes under a bubble and spinners.

BOSQUE REDONDO: Fishing was slow for all species.

BOTTOMLESS LAKES: Fishing was slow. Stocking has been suspended.

BRANTLEY LAKE: Anglers are to practice catch and release for all fish here as high levels of DDT were found in several fish.

CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.

GRINDSTONE RESERVOIR: Trout fishing was fair using power bait, salmon eggs and spinners.

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

LAKE VAN: Fishing was slow for all species.

PECOS RIVER: Water flow on Monday below Sumner Lake was 1,420cfs. This area may reopen to fishing later in the week as flows subside.

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

RUIDOSO RIVER: Water flow near Hollywood on Monday was 31cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

SANTA ROSA LAKE: The major water release has been cut short and there will be sufficient water for anglers to launch boats and fish through the Labor Day weekend. Fishing this past week was good using 4 inch power worms, spinner baits and tubes for smallmouth and largemouth bass. Fishing was slow for walleye but a few were taken on grubs and crank baits. Fishing for catfish was fair using liver and night crawlers.

SUMNER LAKE: Fishing was good trolling crank baits and spinners for white bass. Fishing was fair using jigs, crank baits, top water lures and tubes for largemouth bass. Fishing for all other species was slow.

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New Mexico Weekly Fishing Report - 8/19/2008

Lake levels — Click here for the latest water storage reports from New Mexico reservoirs.

This week’s stocking report

August 19, 2008
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

 

Elephant Butte: Aug. 8, James Koons of Silver City caught a 15-pound striped bass. He was using live bait.
El Vado Lake: Aug. 16, Kaila N. Siebuhr caught a 2.5- to 3-pound rainbow trout while fishing with power bait in the early morning hours.
Abiquiu Lake: Aug. 16, Chris Ewer of Albuquerque caught a 26.5-inch walleye. He was using a perch colored crank bait.
Ute Lake: Aug. 16, Danny Campbell of Friona, Texas, caught a 7.9-pound largemouth bass while fishing a tournament. Aug. 17, Ben from the Ruf Nec Tackle store caught a 4.1-pound smallmouth bass. He was using a topwater lure.
Sumner Lake: Aug. 16, Shane Shipman of Rio Rancho caught a 3.2-pound largemouth bass. He was fishing from the bank and using Hog Wild catfish bait.

 

If you have a catch of the week story or just want to tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing experience, send it to us at fishforfun2 [at] hotmail [dot] com. We may include your story in our next report. For catches of the week include name, date, location, type of fish, length and bait used.

 

NORTHEAST AREA

 

CHARETTE LAKES: Trout fishing on the lower lake was fair this past week for anglers using power bait during the day and flies in the early morning and late evening hours. Fishing for perch was good for anglers using worms.
CIMARRON RIVER: Water flow near the town of Cimarron as of Monday was 42cfs. Trout fishing was fair for anglers using yellow stimulators, streamers, copper john barrs, salmon eggs and spinners. Anglers fishing at the Gravel Pit Lakes caught a few trout while using salmon eggs and Pistol Petes under a bubble.
CLAYTON LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species. The area has received heavy rains and flash flooding has occurred over the past few days. The lake rose 8 feet on Sunday night and the water was quite murky.
CONCHAS LAKE: Fishing was fair using jerk baits, top water lures, tubes, baby brush hogs and chigger craws for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Fishing was fair using crank baits, grubs, spinners and top water lures for white bass. Fishing was good using liver, shrimp, hot dogs and night crawlers for catfish. Fishing for bluegill was fair using worms. We had no reports on other species.
COYOTE CREEK: We had no reports from anglers this week.   
EAGLE NEST LAKE: Bank fishing was good for perch but slow for trout and kokanee. The best bait for perch was worms. Fishing from boats was sporadic but a few good trout and kokanee were taken by anglers using spinners and power bait.  
HOPEWELL LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.   
LAKE MALOYA/LAKE ALICE: Evening fishing at Lake Maloya was fair this past week for anglers using black gnats, hoppers, Pistol Petes and salmon eggs for trout. Most of the action was near the dam. Fishing at Lake Alice was slow.
MAXWELL LAKES: Fishing was slow.   
MCALLISTER LAKE: Due to poor water quality, the lake will remain closed until further notice.  
MONASTERY LAKE: Trout fishing was fair for anglers using cheese bait, corn and salmon eggs under a bubble.
MORPHY LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
PECOS RIVER: Water flow near the town of Pecos as of Monday morning was 76cfs. Trout fishing was very good here and on Cow Creek and the Mora for anglers using salmon eggs, night crawlers, spinners, stimulators, elk hair caddis, bead head pheasant tail nymphs and copper john barrs.
RED RIVER: Water flow below the hatchery was 125cfs. Trout fishing was good for anglers using spinners, olive wooly buggers, hoppers, copper john barrs, wooly worms, salmon eggs and night crawlers.
RIO GRANDE: The water flow Monday morning at the Taos Junction Bridge was 416cfs. Trout fishing in the Pilar area was good using hoppers, jerk baits, night crawlers and spinners. We had no reports on other species.
SHUREE PONDS: Trout fishing was good for anglers using Kastmasters, Daredevles, Panther Martins, hoppers and wooly buggers.     
SPRINGER LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.     
STORRIE LAKE: Fishing was good using grasshoppers and power bait for trout. Anglers fishing with hoppers also reported catching smallmouth bass. Fishing for catfish at night was good for anglers using night crawlers and liver.
STUBBLEFIELD: Fishing was slow for all species.     
UTE LAKE: Fishing for catfish continued to be quite good this past week for anglers fishing over baited holes. They were using night crawlers, liver and dough baits. Fishing for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass was fair for anglers using top water lures, crank baits, jerk baits, tubes and white grubs. Fishing for white bass was good for anglers using top water lures, spinners and crank baits. The white bass are schooled up and if you can find a school you can have a blast. Fishing for bluegill was good using worms. We had no reports on other species.

 

NORTHWEST AREA

 

ABIQUIU LAKE: Fishing was reported as good by some anglers but slow for others. The best reports came from anglers fishing this past Saturday. They were catching smallmouth bass and walleye in 12-to-25 feet of water. At times they were drifting jigs, chartreuse or white grubs and tubes while at other times they were casting or trolling crank baits.  We had no reports on other species.
ANIMAS RIVER: We had no reports from anglers this week.  
BLUEWATER LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.  
CANJILON LAKES: Trout fishing was slow.
CHAMA RIVER: Monday morning water flows below El Vado and Abiquiu were 480cfs and 596cfs respectively. Fishing below El Vado was fair-to-good using night crawlers, streamers, Panther Martins, power bait and salmon eggs for brown and rainbow trout. The trout ranged in size from 10-to-19 inches. Fishing below Abiquiu was slow. The flow below El Vado was expected to drop to 200cfs during the week.  
COCHITI LAKE: Fishing was fair-to-good for anglers using top water lures, crank baits, tubes and chigger craws for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Anglers reported good catches off the bluffs and in the east side brush. Fishing was fair using crank baits, minnows and spinners for white bass. A few catfish were taken by anglers fishing at night and using liver and night crawlers. We had no reports on other species.
EL VADO LAKE: Trout fishing was slow-to-fair for anglers using salmon eggs, power bait, spinners and night crawlers.
FARMINGTON LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.  
FENTON LAKE: Fishing was slow. A few trout were taken by anglers using salmon eggs and worms.  
HERON LAKE: Kokanee fishing continued to be quite good for anglers using rainbow, red or orange kokanee killers, Double Whammies and Fish Creek spinners tipped with corn. Most of the fish were taken at depths of 30-to-35 feet. The best action was in the morning hours.  Fishing for lake trout was slow.  
JEMEZ WATERS: Water flow on the Jemez as of Monday morning was 31cfs near Jemez Springs. Trout fishing on the Jemez, Rio Las Vacas, Rio Guadalupe and the East Fork was good this past week for anglers using dry flies, small spinners and salmon eggs.
LAGUNA Del CAMPO: (Burns Canyon Lake) We had no reports from anglers this week.
MANZANO LAKE:  Fishing was slow.
MCGAFFEY LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species. 
NAVAJO LAKE: Fishing for Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass was slow-to-fair using baby brush hogs, power worms, crank baits, jerk baits and top water lures. The fish were scattered and taken at depths of 6-to-30 feet. Fishing was slow-to-fair using crank baits and top water lures for northern pike. A few crappie were taken by anglers using grubs, tubes and small worms and fishing near Bancos Canyon. Fishing was fair trolling spinners tipped with corn at 35-to-45 feet for kokanee. Most of the action was from Simms Mesa to the dam. Anglers fishing for kokanee also caught a few trout. We had no reports on other species.  
RAMAH LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.   
SAN JUAN: Water flow below Navajo Lake as of Monday morning was at 491cfs. Trout fishing was fair using emergers, sparkle worms, wooly buggers, small bead head pheasant tail nymphs, dead chickens, light colored emergers, Griffith’s gnats and parachute adams. Fishing through the bait waters was fair using green power bait, night crawlers, spinners and jerk baits.
SANTA CRUZ LAKE: Trout fishing was fair-to-good using spinners, power bait, worms and salmon eggs.    
SEVEN SPRINGS BROOD POND: We had no reports from anglers this week.  
TINGLEY BEACH: Fishing at the Youth and Central Ponds was very good using night crawlers for bluegill and shrimp and hot dogs for catfish. Fishing at the Catch and Release pond was fair for anglers using dead chickens, scuds, leeches, Griffith’s gnats and egg patterns.

 

SOUTHWEST AREA

 

BEAR CANYON: Fishing was slow for all species.   
BILL EVANS LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.      
BURN LAKE: Fishing was slow.
CABALLO LAKE: Fishing was slow-to-fair using crank baits, minnows, top water lures, spinners and grubs for white bass. Anglers fishing for white bass also picked up a few walleye. We had no reports on other species. The water was quite murky.
ELEPHANT BUTTE: Fishing was good using cut bait, shrimp and liver over baited holes and from the bank for catfish. The best action was reported by anglers fishing at night. Fishing was fair using live bait for striped bass. A few stripers were also taken on top water lures and deep running crank baits. Fishing was fair using crank baits, top water lures, minnows, spinners and grubs for white bass. The best reports this past week came from anglers fishing near Rock Canyon, the east end of Long Point, McRae Canyon and by Kettle Top.  Fishing was fair using top water lures, crank baits, tubes, power worms and