Final phase of Río Grande cutthroat trout expansion underway
Weekly fishing and stocking report
TUESDAY, JAN. 25
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
BRANTLEY LAKE: Thayne Bowen, 8, of Roswell caught his personal best 2-pound 15-ounce largemouth bass using a black and yellow jerkbait, Jan. 18.
CHAMA RIVER: Jude Vojtech, 18, of Río Rancho caught a 19-inch brown trout using a brown trout pattern spinner below El Vado Lake, Jan. 22.
EAGLE NEST LAKE: Aundrea Rascón, 14, of Taos caught a 23-inch rainbow trout using a silver Kastmaster, Jan. 20. Jan. 16.
QUEMADO LAKE: Richard Chávez caught a 20-inch rainbow trout using Fire Corn, Jan. 16.
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 on Monday was not measured due to ice. In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Check the State Parks’ website for more information.
CLAYTON LAKE: Closed until March 2021.
CONCHAS LAKE: Conchas Lake State Park has closed access to all boat ramps due to dropping water levels. Fishing for crappie was fair using 2-inch plastic crawfish lures.
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 the 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. 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: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Check the State Parks’ website for more information.
EAGLE NEST LAKE: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Check the State Parks’ website for more information. The lake was open to ice fishing, but ATV traffic and Six Mile Day Use Area closed due to unsafe ice conditions. Fishing for trout was good using jigs tipped with worms and Kastmaster spoons. Fishing for perch was good using small ice fishing jigs tipped with wax worms and earthworms.
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: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec.
3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Check the State Parks’ website for more information. Ice was reported at 11-inches thick. The lake is open for ice fishing.
LAKE MALOYA: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Check the State Parks’ website for more information. Ice was reported at 14-inches thick. Ice fishing for trout was good using PowerBait and dough bait. 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.
RED RIVER: Stream flow below the hatchery Monday morning was 32.8 cubic feet per second (cfs). Fishing for trout near the hatchery was fair using tungsten beadhead nymphs and midge flies.
RÍO GRANDE: Stream flow at the Taos Junction Bridge Monday morning was 370 cfs. Fishing for trout was good on warm days using bead head nymphs, midges and small Griffith’s gnat dry flies for rising fish.
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 that the lake was iced over.
STORRIE LAKE: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks reopened to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Check the State Parks’ website for more information.
STUBBLEFIELD LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
UTE LAKE: In accordance with the Public Health Order, effective Dec. 3, NM State Parks will reopen to New Mexico residents for day-use only. Fishing for white bass and walleye was fair in 40 to 50-feet of water using vertical jigs with vibrating blades and Gulp Minnows.