Some area waters closed for the season

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.

DEC. 29, 2020

EAGLE NEST LAKE: Thomas Tapia of Tesuque Pueblo caught a 27.5-inch rainbow trout using a worm Oct. 8. GALLINAS RIVER: Justin Estrada of Las Vegas caught and released a 16-inch rainbow trout using a black Woolly Bugger fly Dec. 22.

LAKE VAN: Teyah Herrera, age 8, of Roswell caught an 18-inch rainbow trout using PowerBait Dec. 26.

SANTA ROSA LAKE: Joseph Lueras and Anthony Dupree of Albuquerque caught a 23-inch walleye and a 22.5inch walleye using nightcrawlers on trolling hooks Dec. 26.

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 morning 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. 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 jigs tipped with worms. 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 Forest Road 1950 downstream to its confluence with Río Costilla and all tributaries) with a tentative restocking of 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: 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.

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. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information. The lake is open to ice fishing. Fishing for trout was good using worms and PowerBait. Fishing for perch was good using worms.

EAGLE ROCK LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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

GALLINAS RIVER: Fishing for trout was fair using black Woolly Bugger flies. 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. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information. The lake opened 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. Please check the State Parks’ website for more information. Fishing for trout was good using 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 health concerns. Check the Open Gate webpage for future updates. MORPHY LAKE: Closed for a renovation project on the dam. No firm opening date has been set.

PECOS RIVER: Stream flow near the town of Pecos on 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 36.3 cubic feet per second (cfs). Fishing for trout near the hatchery was good using egg pattern, zebra midge and bead head nymph flies.

RÍO GRANDE: Stream flow at the Taos Junction Bridge Monday morning was 338 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good using heavy bright colored nymph, egg pattern and midge 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 on 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: We had no reports from anglers this week.

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: 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 was fair using vibrating blade baits in 40 to 45-feet of water. The main lake surface temperature was in the mid-40s F.

NORTHWEST

ABIQUIÚ LAKE: The boat ramp is open. ANIMAS RIVER: Water flow below Aztec on Monday morning was 147 cfs. ALBUQUERQUE AREA DRAINS: Fishing for trout was fair using nymph flies.

BLUEWATER 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. It is closed to boating and ice 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.

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

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

CHAMA RIVER: Monday morning flows below El Vado and Abiquiu were 105 cfs and 47 cfs, respectively. Fishing for trout below El Vado Lake was fair using nightcrawlers. Fishing for trout below Abiquiu Lake was good using big nymph flies fished deep, midge pattern flies, brown and black size 12-16 weighted bead head nymph flies, hare’s ear, pheasant tail and mayfly pattern flies. COCHITI LAKE: Scheduled to reopen for day use beginning Jan. 4, 2021. Visitors to the lake will need to make a reservation by purchasing a ticket at least 24 hours in advance through www. recreation.gov. Tickets and reservations will NOT be sold at the lake. The ticket cost consists of a $3.00 personal vehicle fee and a $2.00 non-refundable reservation fee. The cost of the ticket is the day-use fee and applies to entry to the park. The boat ramp will be open. EL VADO LAKE: El Vado Lake State Park is open at the Dam Day Use area only from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. to New Mexico residents only. Salmon snagging season continues through Dec. 31. The lake is closed to boating and ice fishing due to recent weather conditions that have led to unsafe lake surface conditions.

FENTON 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. The lake is closed to boating and ice fishing due to recent weather that has led to unsafe lake surface conditions. The lake is currently closed to all watercraft, including canoes, kayaks, inflatables and all types of motorboats.

HERON 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. The lake can be accessed at Ridge Rock or La Laja. Salmon snagging season continues through Dec. 31. The lake is closed to boating and ice fishing due to recent weather conditions that have led to unsafe lake surface conditions. $5.00 entrance fee to apply if you do not have an annual pass.

JÉMEZ WATERS: Stream flow on the Jémez near the town of Jémez, Monday morning was 17.9 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair using worms and nymph flies. LAGUNA DEL CAMPO: Closed for the season.

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

LAKE FARMINGTON: We had no reports from anglers this week. MANZANO LAKE: Closed until further notice.

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

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

SAN GREGORIO LAKE: Anglers reported that the lake is frozen.

SAN JUAN RIVER: Stream flow Monday morning was 333 cfs. 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. Fishing for trout was good using Baetis and mayfly patterns in the afternoons.

SEVEN SPRINGS BROOD POND:

Closed due to COVID health concerns. Check the Department’s Alerts page for future updates.

TINGLEY BEACH: Fishing for trout was good using yellow and garlic flavored PowerBait.

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