New Mexico Weekly Fishing Report - 9/23/2008
September 23, 2008
Free fishing day is Saturday, Sept. 27
Grab your rods and pack up the family. Saturday, Sept. 27, is a Free Fishing Day as New Mexico celebrates National Hunting and Fishing Day. No license is required to fish in public waters, although bag limits and all other rules apply.
Lake levels — Click here for the latest water storage reports from New Mexico reservoirs.
Sept. 23, 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
Conchas Lake: Sept. 20, Michael Bock of Albuquerque caught a 3.9-pound smallmouth bass.
Heron Lake: Sept. 21, Mark Bayliss of Raton caught a 19.25-inch kokanee. He was trolling an orange Cripplure.
Ute Lake: Sept. 21, Craig Dillion of Colorado Springs caught a 5.29-pound largemouth bass. He was fishing a tournament.
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 good using salmon eggs, worms and corn/marshmallow combinations. Fishing was fair using worms for perch.
CIMARRON RIVER: Water flow below Eagle Nest Lake as of Monday was 37cfs. Trout fishing was good using salmon eggs, worms, spinners and copper john barrs. We had no reports from the gravel pit lakes.
CLAYTON LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species but there were a few trout taken by anglers using worms.
CONCHAS LAKE: Fishing was fair using liver, minnows, night crawlers and dough baits for catfish. Fishing was slow for all other species but there were a few smallmouth bass, crappie and white bass caught by anglers using minnows and crank baits. The fish were scattered at various depths.
COYOTE CREEK: Trout fishing was very good for anglers using worms, yellow power bait, spinners and a fly and bubble. Angler James Howden reported that he and his fishing partner caught limits of 12 inch trout this last week and experienced some of the best fishing all summer.
EAGLE NEST LAKE: Trout and kokanee fishing was fair-to-good this past week for anglers fishing from boats and from the bank. Best baits were sparkle power bait, garlic cheese, spinners tipped with corn and salmon eggs. A few perch were taken on worms and power bait. Kokanee snagging season opens October 1.
HOPEWELL LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
LAKE MALOYA/LAKE ALICE: Trout fishing at Lake Maloya was good using sparkle power bait and salmon eggs. Fishing at Lake Alice was good for anglers using corn.
LOS PINOS RIVER: Trout fishing was good for anglers using salmon eggs and worms.
MAXWELL LAKES: The water was extremely low and fishing was slow.
MCALLISTER LAKE: Due to poor water quality, the lake will remain closed until further notice.
MONASTERY LAKE: Trout fishing was fair using power bait, Pistol Petes and salmon eggs.
MORPHY LAKE: Trout fishing was fair-to-good using power bait, salmon eggs and worms.
PECOS RIVER: Water flow near the town of Pecos as of Monday morning was 51cfs. Trout fishing was good using salmon eggs, worms, power bait and bead head prince nymphs.
RED RIVER: Water flow below the hatchery was 80cfs. Trout fishing was very good using wooly buggers, spinners, salmon eggs and night crawlers.
RIO GRANDE: The water flow Monday morning at the Taos Junction Bridge was 276cfs. Trout fishing in the Pilar area and above Taos was good using streamers, night crawlers, San Juan worms and spinners.
SHUREE PONDS: We had no reports from anglers this week.
SPRINGER LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.
STORRIE LAKE: Trout fishing was good using power bait and salmon eggs. Best reports came from anglers fishing near the inlet.
UTE LAKE: Fishing for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass was fair-to-good for some but slow for others. Best baits were swim baits, top water lures and spinner baits. Fishing was fair using top water lures, crank baits and spinners for white bass. A few walleye were taken by anglers using bottom bouncer rigs with night crawlers or minnows at 20-to-25 feet. Fishing was fair using liver and minnows for catfish.
NORTHWEST AREA
ABIQUIU LAKE: Fishing was slow-to-fair using deep running crank baits and bottom bouncer/worm rigs for walleye. Fishing was slow-to-fair using tubes, jigs and worms for smallmouth bass. We had no reports on other species.
ANIMAS RIVER: We had no reports from anglers this week.
BLUEWATER LAKE: Fishing was very slow for all species.
CANJILON LAKES: We had no reports from anglers this week.
CHAMA RIVER: Monday morning water flows below El Vado and Abiquiu were 586cfs and 843cfs respectively. Fishing below El Vado was slow-to-fair using night crawlers, streamers and spinners for brown trout and salmon eggs for rainbow trout. We had no reports from below Abiquiu.
COCHITI LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species. A few small bass were taken by anglers using minnows.
EL VADO LAKE: Fishing was slow. A few trout were taken by anglers using night crawlers, spinners, power bait and salmon eggs.
FARMINGTON LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
FENTON LAKE: Trout fishing improved this past week. Several anglers did well using worms for fish up to 14 inches. A few were also taken on salmon eggs and wooly buggers.
HERON LAKE: Took a little longer but anglers still managed to catch some limits of kokanee this past week. The fish were scattered from the surface to about 60 feet. Best baits were orange and yellow Panther Martins and Cripplures. Fishing for all other species was slow.
JEMEZ WATERS: Water flow on the Jemez as of Monday morning was 21cfs near Jemez Springs. Trout fishing on the Jemez, the Cebolla and the Rio Guadalupe was fair-to-good using worms, night crawlers, copper john barrs and salmon eggs.
LAGUNA Del CAMPO: (Burns Canyon Lake) We had no reports from anglers this week.
MANZANO LAKE: Fishing was slow.
MCGAFFEY LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
NAVAJO LAKE: Fishing for smallmouth bass was slow but there were a few taken by anglers using jigs, spinner baits and tubes. Fishing was slow-to-fair trolling spinners tipped with corn for kokanee. The kokanee snagging season opens October 1. A few northern pike were caught by anglers using spinner baits and crank baits. We had no reports on other species.
RAMAH LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
RIO PUEBLO: Trout fishing was fair-to-good using an assortment of small flies.
SAN JUAN: Water flow below Navajo Lake as of Monday morning was at 832cfs. Trout fishing in the Quality Waters was very good for anglers using size 20-to-26 emergers and pheasant tail nymphs under a strike indicator. The best action was reported by anglers fishing the Texas Hole area. They caught several good size brown and rainbow trout. Fishing through the bait waters was good using worms, salmon eggs, streamers and spinners.
SANTA CRUZ LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
SEVEN SPRINGS BROOD POND: We had no reports from anglers this week.
TINGLEY BEACH: Fishing at the Youth and Central Ponds was fair using night crawlers, flies and worms for bluegill. Fishing was slow-to-fair using dough bait, hot dogs and night crawlers for catfish. Trout fishing at the Catch and Release pond was poor.
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 for all species.
CABALLO LAKE: Fishing was slow. Fishing pressure was light.
ELEPHANT BUTTE: Fishing was fair-to-good trolling and casting crank baits and spoons and using top water lures and grubs for white bass. The best reports came in from anglers fishing near Kettle Top and the mouth of McRae Canyon. Fishing was good using cut bait, shrimp, dough bait and liver for catfish. Fishing was slow-to-fair using top water lures, tubes, spinner baits, jigs and jerk baits for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Striped bass fishing was slow.
ESCONDIDA LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.
GILA RIVER: Water flow on the Gila as of this past Monday was 111cfs. Fishing on the Forks was slow for all species.
GLENWOOD POND: We had no reports from anglers this week.
LAKE ROBERTS: Fishing was slow-to-fair using worms, power bait and salmon eggs for trout. We had no reports on other species.
PERCHA DAM: Fishing was fair using chicken liver and worms for catfish. We had no reports on other species.
QUEMADO LAKE: Trout fishing was fair-to-good using wooly worms and Pistol Petes. A few fish were also taken on power bait. We had no reports on tiger musky.
RIO GRANDE: Water flow below Elephant Butte on Monday was 38cfs. Fishing below Caballo was fair using liver and night crawlers for catfish. We had no reports on other species.
SOUTHEAST AREA
BATAAN LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
BONITO LAKE: Trout fishing was good using salmon eggs under a bobber, power bait, spinners and bead head nymphs.
BOSQUE REDONDO: Fishing was slow-to-fair using liver and night crawlers for catfish. One largemouth bass was caught by an angler using worms. We had no reports on other 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: We had no reports from anglers this week.
GRINDSTONE RESERVOIR: Trout fishing was fair using power bait, salmon eggs, wooly buggers and spinners.
JAL LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
LAKE VAN: We had no reports from anglers this week.
PECOS RIVER: Water flow on Monday below Sumner Lake was 129cfs. Fishing for catfish was good using liver, night crawlers and stink bait. Four good size walleye were caught by anglers using night crawlers.
PERCH LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.
RUIDOSO RIVER: Water flow near Hollywood on Monday was 24cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.
SANTA ROSA LAKE: Fishing was slow-to-fair trolling crank baits and spinner/worm rigs in the main channel for walleye. A few smallmouth bass were taken by anglers working the east side and using tubes, worms, brush hogs and crank baits. We had no reports on other species.
SUMNER LAKE: Fishing was fair using crank baits, minnows, bottom bouncer/worm rigs and grubs for a mix of walleye and white bass. A few smallmouth and largemouth bass were taken by anglers using spinner baits, tubes and crank baits. Fishing was fair using liver and night crawlers for catfish.
Related posts
Relaxed Fishing Regulations at Lake Darling
September 11, 2008
BRIGHTON - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will relax the fishing regulations at Lake Darling on September 12, to allow anglers to more freely harvest fish before the lake is completely drained to repair a spillway leak, extend the dam, and to perform a lake restoration project. The lake water level is currently in slow decline due to the loss of water through the spillway.
The valve gate, however, will be completely opened in late fall or early winter to facilitate dewatering activities that will result in a full pool draw-down.
“We decided to empty the lake because the integrity of the dam has been compromised by a nearly four-million gallons per day spillway leak, as well as the impending need for a large-scale lake restoration,” said Chad Dolan, area fisheries biologist for the DNR.
Dolan said the water quality of Lake Darling has degraded over time due to sediment and nutrient inputs from the large watershed. The lake also has a substantial population of common carp that has contributed to sediment resuspension and further reductions in water clarity. Efforts will be made to collect and relocate the lake’s quality game fish to park ponds or to other state-managed waters. Planned lake and watershed restoration activities will ultimately benefit water quality, and subsequently, achieve a more desirable fish community in the future.
On September 12, anglers with a valid fishing license may harvest all sizes and unlimited quantities of any fish species from Lake Darling. Any number of fishing poles or jugs will be allowed, but anglers must remain in sight of these lines at all times and follow all other fishing regulations and area rules. Trot lines will be allowed (name and address must be attached); however, lines may not be set across the entire water body. Nets, dynamite, poison, electric shocking devices, or any stupefying substances will not be allowed. It is illegal to sell fish or stock captured fish into public waters, but sportfish can be stocked in private lakes and ponds. It is important that anglers never transport and release common carp, or for that matter, any other nuisance fish species into any aquatic system.
The normal park hours of 4 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. will remain in effect. Anglers may fish anywhere within the lake as water levels should permit fishing from the bank and boats for the foreseeable future; however, access ramps will be exposed a few weeks after commencement of draw-down activities preventing further boat-fishing. Liberalized fishing regulations for Lake Darling will remain in effect until the lake is drained.
Sediment control structures such as ponds, terraces, and risers are already constructed in the watershed, and more are planned for the future. The fishery renovation is also part of the process to improve the lake’s water quality. The lake restoration project includes stabilizing shoreline erosion problems, removing sediment, increasing the pool elevation of the lake, constructing in-lake fish habitat, constructing and repairing jetties, deepening shoreline and repairing the dam.
The lake will remain dewatered throughout the construction period which is expected to last through 2009, or potentially longer, depending on the weather impacts on construction activities. During this juncture, all watershed and in-lake construction projects will be completed. Fish will be restocked once construction has ceased and the lake’s water elevation returns to normal. Users should expect limited access to the lake until normal lake water elevation returns in 2010.
Related posts
New East Texas Fish Hatchery Construction Underway
September 4, 2008
JASPER, Texas — Construction of the new $27 million East Texas Fish Hatchery, expected to be completed in early 2010, is now underway.
The state-of-the-art facility on 200 acres just below Sam Rayburn Reservoir will replace the 70-year-old Jasper Fish Hatchery and provide at least 45 acres of fish production ponds capable of delivering up to 4.5 million fish annually for stocking in Texas public waters.
A groundbreaking ceremony near the site of the fish hatchery water intake structure was held on Wed., Aug. 27.
“Once operational, this new hatchery will have the capacity to more than double what’s currently produced at the outdated Jasper Fish Hatchery. This will help meet the growing needs of our recreational angling community,” said Phil Durocher, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department inland fisheries director. “We applaud the generous support of Texas anglers, who stepped up to the plate to help fund this critical project through the purchase of the Freshwater Fishing Stamp, and our partners.”
In addition to stamp revenues, Jasper County in 2004 donated 200 acres of land for the hatchery and the Lower Neches Valley Authority has agreed to provide 10,000-acre feet of water from Sam Rayburn Reservoir for hatchery operation.
Also, Temple Inland provided easements to accommodate the county road as well as all site utilities and water conveyance lines. The U.S. Corps of Engineers will provide easements to accommodate the facility water intake station.
“Texas freshwater anglers are the largest single constituency Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has,” noted TPW Commission Chairman Peter M. Holt. “More fish in more places equals better fishing, and that benefits the quality of life in this state.”
HDR FishPro handled the design and programming contract for the East Texas Fish Hatchery and ALLCO, Inc. of Beaumont has been awarded the construction contract.
In addition to the production ponds, the hatchery complex will feature a 34,000-square-foot production building and an 8,200-square-foot administrative building, which will office 24 TPWD employees, including hatchery, aquatic habitat enhancement and fisheries management staffs, and game wardens.
Hatcheries comprise an important component of freshwater fisheries management at TPWD. Hatchery-reared fish are used to establish new populations, enhance existing populations, support research efforts, and maintain fisheries in small urban reservoirs where natural production will not meet anglers’ needs.
“This hatchery will add a greater degree of operational flexibility and increased production by about two million fingerlings a year,” said Todd Engeling, TPWD hatcheries director. “This hatchery will be used primarily for production of largemouth bass, channel and blue catfish and bluegill sunfish. It will also have the capability of producing striped bass should we need it.”
Related posts
Grant Allows Commission to Protect Parking at Popular Public Boating Site
August 18, 2008
The Brunswick County ramp will also be renovated
SUNSENT HARBOR, N.C. (Aug. 18, 2008) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has purchased property adjacent to its Sunset Harbor Boating Access Area to ensure that the public has adequate parking at the site for years to come.
The purchase – the first from the N.C. Waterfront Access and Marine Industry (WAMI) Fund – will also enable the commission to focus its resources on much needed renovations to the existing boat ramp on the Intracoastal Waterway. The WAMI funds will also provide funding to develop a small public fishing pier, said Gordon Myers, deputy director.
“This $915,000 grant, made possible through the leadership of the General Assembly, is allowing us to protect waterfront land and preserve it for public use,” Myers said. “In addition, thanks to this collaboration with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, which administers the fund, we’ll be able to make significant improvements, expand the uses of this property and ensure continued access to our state’s public waters.”
Boaters using the Sunset Harbor Boating Access Area had previously parked on property leased to a private fishing club. However, when the property owner decided to sell it, the commission worried that a private buyer would forbid public parking – and quickly purchased the property with WAMI funding to make it part of the commission’s free Boating Access Area.
Adding the parking area into state ownership makes it much more desirable to overhaul the access area. The renovation plans include new launch ramps, docks, dredging and development of a small fishing pier. The renovations will also apply low-impact design strategies to manage storm water.
“The Sunset Harbor project was the type of multi-use site we were looking to fund with the Waterfront Access and Marine Industry Fund,” said Louis Daniel, director of the Division of Marine Fisheries. “Not only will it ensure continued parking for an existing, heavily-used boat ramp, a fishing pier will provide water access for those without vessels.”
“The project was also a great example of how the Division of Marine Fisheries and the Wildlife Resources Commission can join forces to provide greater coastal water access for all North Carolina citizens,” Daniel said.
The N.C. General Assembly approved the $20 million WAMI Fund in 2007 as a way to pay for acquiring waterfront properties or developing facilities to provide or improve waterfront access for the public. The $915,000 grant for Sunset Harbor was one of 13 projects approved for funding in April.
Related posts
New Rule Governs Release of Mute Swans
July 28, 2008
RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission hopes a new regulation concerning mute swans will protect the state’s native waterfowl and aquatic vegetation.
The law, effective July 1, makes it unlawful for an individual to release mute swans into public waters. It also requires individuals who release the swans into private waters to properly pinion them – trimming their wings to ensure they won’t relocate to public waters.
“By prohibiting the release of mute swans into the public waters of North Carolina, we believe that over the long-term, the likely negative impacts of mute swans to native aquatic vegetation and wildlife species will be minimized,” said Joe Fuller, the commission’s migratory game bird coordinator. “Furthermore, the required pinioning of mute swan released on private ponds will help ensure that these birds do not subsequently move from their release location.”
Indigenous to Europe and Asia, mute swans were introduced to North America and escaped into the wild in about 1910. In states with mounting numbers of the birds, evidence shows mute swans can harm submerged aquatic vegetation. In addition, the animals’ antagonistic behavior can displace native waterfowl, and there has been evidence of aggression toward humans.
While the exact number of mute swans in North Carolina is unknown, the commission suspects it is low compared to other states, and they have caused little impact. However, commission biologists believe the new rule will prevent future damage if the population grows.
For more information on North Carolina’s waterfowl, click here.
Related posts
Young Anglers Net Fishing Prizes Including a Lifetime Fishing License
July 1, 2008
RALEIGH, N.C. (June 30, 2008) — Dylan Gilbert’s passion for bass fishing rivals that of any pro bass angler. Thanks to Neuse Sport Shop located in Kinston, the 10-year-old from Lake Royale will be able indulge that passion for the rest of his life — without ever having to pay for a fishing license!
Dylan won a lifetime fishing license — the grand prize offered in a statewide drawing for participants in 40 kids’ “Fish-for-Fun” events held during National Fishing and Boating Week earlier this month. The free events were supported by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, the U.S. Forest Service, Bass Pro Shops and other local sponsors.
Dylan participated in the June 7 kids’ fishing derby at Lake Royale in Franklin County.
The license, donated by Neuse Sport Shop, is valued at $450 and gives Dylan lifetime fishing privileges in all North Carolina public waters, including coastal waters and designated Public Mountain Trout Waters where a special trout fishing license is required.
In addition to Dylan, 200 other young anglers netted prizes at the fishing events. Click here for a complete list of winners, which includes their ages, fishing event locations and their prizes.
Bass Pro Shops donated 100 prizes, including tackle boxes, rods and reels and spools of fishing line. The Wildlife Resources Commission contributed the remaining prizes, which included mini tackle boxes, fishing towels and decks of cards featuring the 13 top freshwater fish species in North Carolina.
“We’re grateful to everyone who made the Fish-for-Fun events possible this year,” said Bob Curry, chief for the Commission’s Division of Inland Fisheries. “The Wildlife Commission has always been a supporter of kids’ fishing events by supplying fishing ‘grab bags,’ staffing fishing events and stocking fish in public waters. Generous donations by Neuse Sport Shop and Bass Pro Shops, along with the assistance of the U.S. Forest Service and local sponsors, have made these events fun outings for the entire family.”
For more information on fishing in North Carolina’s inland, public waters, visit the Fishing page, or call (919) 707-0220.
Related posts
High, Muddy Water No Problem for Catfishermen
June 10, 2008
LINCOLN, Neb. – Recent heavy rains, high water so murky it could pass for strong coffee, high humidity and the warmest temperatures so far this year, proved to be the right combination for catching catfish at Wagon Train Lake east of Hickman on Saturday morning, May 7 for three Lincoln fishermen.
Luke Covington and his sons, Eli and Micah, all of Lincoln, were fishing on the west side of the lake and caught two