Turns out marshmallows aren’t just for s’mores
Trout like ’em too
This fishing report, provided by Dustin Berg and Go Unlimited (supporting disabled anglers) and the Department of Game and Fish, has been generated from the best information available from area officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.
Catch of the Week
CONCHAS LAKE: Bryan Novotny of Río Rancho caught a 20-inch walleye using a Cincy Fisher ½-ounce jigging blade in 25-feet of water near the dam Dec. 17.
ESCONDIDA LAKE: Damian Padilla of Belin caught a 3-pound largemouth bass using a black leech pattern fly Dec. 20.
GRINDSTONE RESERVOIR: Martin Bonilla of Alto caught and released a 22-inch 5-pound rainbow trout using a marshmallow Dec. 14.
OASIS PARK LAKE: Reyes Calbert of Portales caught a 16-inch rainbow trout using a Kastmaster spoon Dec. 16. PERCH LAKE: Andre Garcia, 11, of Clovis caught a 17-inch rainbow trout using salmon peach PowerBait Dec. 19. TINGLEY BEACH: Carson Rose, 5, of Albuquerque caught a 16-inch rainbow trout at the kids’ pond using his Cars’ fishing pole with garlic PowerBait Dec. 19.
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 funfishingnm@gmail.com. We may include your story in our next report.
For catches of the week, include name, age, hometown, date, location, type of fish, length and weight, if possible and bait, lure or fly used.
State Waters
NORTHEAST
CABRESTO LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
CHARETTE LAKES: Closed for the season.
CIMARRÓN RIVER: Stream flow near Cimarrón Monday morning not measured due to ice. Per the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information. Anglers reported limited open water to fish.
CLAYTON LAKE: Closed until March 2021.
CONCHAS LAKE: Fishing for walleye 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 F.
COSTILLA CREEK: The Department has implemented the final phase of a project to expand Río 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 (Río Costilla from Costilla Dam downstream to the Valle Vidal Boundary including all tributaries and Comanche Creek from the road culvert crossing on FR 1950 downstream to its confluence with Río Costilla and all tributaries) with a tentative restocking of the Río 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: We had no reports from anglers this week.
COYOTE CREEK: Per the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information. EAGLE NEST LAKE: Per the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico 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: We had no reports from anglers this week.
FAWN LAKES: We had no reports from anglers this week.
GALLINAS RIVER: We had no reports from anglers this week.
HOPEWELL LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
LAKE ALICE: Per the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information. The lake opened for ice fishing.
LAKE MALOYA: Per the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information. The lake is open for ice fishing.
LOS PINOS RIVER: We had no reports from anglers this week.
MAXWELL LAKE 13: Closed for the season.
MONASTERY LAKE: Closed due to COVID-19 health concerns. Check the Open Gate webpage for future updates. MORPHY LAKE: Closed for a renovation project on the dam and no firm opening date is set.
PECOS RIVER: Stream flow near the town of Pecos, Monday morning was not measured due to ice. Fishing for trout was fair using worms.
RED RIVER: Stream flow below the hatchery Monday morning was 37.5 cubic feet per second (cfs). Fishing for trout near the hatchery was fair using dry hopper and nymph fly rigs.
RÍO GRANDE: Stream flow at the Taos Junction Bridge, Monday morning was 370 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair using large colorful bead head nymph flies. RÍO HONDO: Stream flow Monday morning near Valdez was not measured due to ice.
RÍO MORA: Stream flow Monday morning was not measured due to ice. RÍO PUEBLO: Stream flow near Peñasco, Monday morning was not measured due to ice.
SANTA CRUZ RESERVOIR: We had no reports from anglers this week. SHUREE PONDS: We had no reports from anglers this week.
SPRINGER LAKE: Anglers reported thin ice and unsafe fishing conditions. STORRIE LAKE: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information. STUBBLEFIELD LAKE: Fishing for walleye was fair using jigs in two to five feet of water. Anglers reported ice conditions varying from day-to-day and often being unsafe.
UTE LAKE: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec.
3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only.