REEL REPORT
REGIONAL FISHING REPORT
Many streams in the region had no reports from anglers, or stream conditions were not measured due to ice. If your stream, lake or reservoir is not listed in this report, it is because no information was available this week. Please note closures due to weak ice conditions and possible opening dates. CONCHAS LAKE: Fishing for smallmouth bass and walleye was fair when using clown-pattern crankbaits. EAGLE NEST LAKE: Ice fishing for trout was fair when using Salmon Peach PowerBait and small jigs tipped with wax worms. Ice fishing for perch was fair to good when using Rapala Jigging Rap lures tipped with meal worms. Fishing for pike was fair when using white and chartreuse tube jigs. The lake remains open to ice fishing; however, it is restricted to foot traffic only. Avoid ice fishing near feeder streams or known springs, brush, logs, plants, docks or areas with multiple cracks or ice that is popping or otherwise weak. For updated lake conditions, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594. GALLINAS RIVER: National Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at 505-438-5300 for the latest closure information.
LAKE MALOYA AND LAKE ALICE:
Ice fishing is now closed at Lake Maloya and Lake Alice within Sugarite Canyon State Park. Officials are instituting this closure because warming temperatures have reduced the thickness of the ice to the point that it is no longer safe for the public to access the laske surfaces.
MONASTERY LAKE: The lake reopened March 5. Monastery Lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property. PECOS RIVER: Streamflow near Pecos Monday morning was not measured due to ice. Fishing the lower portion of the river was good when using bait and spinners.
RED RIVER: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Monday morning was 44 cubic feet per second (cfs). RIO GRANDE: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Monday morning was 497 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair when using black, leech-pattern flies and Panther Martin spinners. ABIQUIU LAKE: Fishing for all species was slow when using worms. The boat ramp will be closed periodically until April as part of dam maintenance efforts. Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371 for updated lake conditions and closure information.
ANIMAS RIVER: Streamflow below Aztec Monday morning was 182 cfs.
ALBUQUERQUE AREA DRAINS:
Fishing for trout was fair to good when using salmon eggs and worms. Fishing for smallmouth bass was fair when using lime-green jigs. COCHITI LAKE: Fishing for bass was fair when using crankbaits.
EL VADO LAKE: Closed due to dam construction project. For more information, visit El Vado Lake State Park’s webpage or call 575-588-7247. Fenton Lake: Ice fishing for trout was fair when using worms and peach PowerBait. Chainsaws are not allowed to cut holes in the ice. Fires are not allowed on the ice. In areas around the shoreline, the ice is thin due to runoff—
be aware of where you step onto the ice. For updated lake conditions and potential closure information, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-829-3630.
JEMEZ WATERS: Streamflow near Jemez Monday morning was 25 cfs. Fishing for trout was slow.
LIAM KNIGHT POND: Fishing for trout was fair when using black, leech-pattern flies and homemade dough bait. NAVAJO LAKE: Fishing for brown trout was slow to fair when trolling using large lures. Fishing for pike was fair to good when using large streamer flies. RIO CHAMA: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Monday morning was 99 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Monday morning was 50 cfs. Please remember, from the river-crossing bridge on U.S. Highway 84 at Abiquiu upstream 7 miles to the base of Abiquiu Dam is special trout waters with a bag limit of only two trout. SAN JUAN RIVER: Streamflow near Archuleta Monday morning was 372 cfs. Fishing for trout in the quality waters was fair when using red midgepattern flies and silver-and-black, midge-pattern flies. Fishing for trout in the bait waters was good when using egg-pattern flies and worms.
— Report courtesy New Mexico Department of Game and Fish