New Mexico FISHING REPORT

March 31, 2007

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.

REMINDER TO ALL ANGLERS: April 1st is the beginning of the new license year. You may obtain one at Charlie's Sporting Goods in Albuquerque or one of the many license vendors around the state, at any of the Department offices or at the Department web site on line at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.

CATCHES OF THE WEEK:

Clayton Lake: On March 26, Carlos Mirales of Clayton caught a 29 inch 14 pound walleye. He was using power bait.

Cochiti Lake: On March 28 Adriana Gabaldon age 4 of Albuquerque caught a 24 inch catfish. She was fishing from the bank and using wax worms.

Ute Lake: On March 31 Rod Hood of Springer, NM caught a 4 pound largemouth bass. He was using a crank bait.

Chama River: On March 31, Hannah Fralix of Albuquerque caught and released an 18 inch brown trout. She was using a Rapala.

Sumner Lake: On March 31, Dean Vineyard of Melrose caught a 25 inch walleye. He was trolling a red Rat-L-Trap at 5 feet. He and his son John of Bernalillo caught several other walleye over 18 inches in length.

Bluewater Lake: On April 1 Chris Perry of Gallup caught and released three tiger musky. The biggest was 35 inches in length. He was using Rat-L-Traps.

NORTHEAST AREA

CHARETTE LAKES: Trout fishing was fair-to-good for anglers using corn and power bait.

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

CLAYTON LAKE: This past week fishing continued to be slow but there were a few big fish taken (see catches of the week). Anglers using power bait caught a few rainbow trout up to 20 inches.

COCHITI LAKE: Fishing picked up a bit this past week and especially for smallmouth bass and crappie. One angler fishing from the bank reported good success using wax worms under a float. He and his daughter caught a variety of catfish, smallmouth bass and crappie. A few smallmouth bass were also taken on jigs and tubes. We had no reports on other species.

CONCHAS LAKE: Fishing for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass was good for anglers using spinner baits, jerk baits, tubes and jigs. Most of the bass were caught in less than 10 feet of water. Fishing for crappie near the marina was good for anglers using minnows, worms and jigs. Fishing for walleye and white bass was fair for anglers trolling and casting assorted crank baits. We had no reports on other species.

COYOTE CREEK: Trout fishing was slow. A few trout were taken by anglers using an assortment of wet flies.

EAGLE NEST LAKE: The last of the ice disappeared off the lake this past weekend and the lake should open for boating sometime this week. For updates contact the state park office at 505-377-1594. Trout fishing this past week was fair-to-good for anglers using power bait, salmon eggs, spinners and corn. Anglers fishing for perch did well using worms and power bait.

LAKE MALOYA/ LAKE ALICE: Both lakes are now free of ice. Fishing over the past weekend slowed considerably at both lakes. This was a direct result of water conditions as the lakes have become quite murky with spring runoff. A few trout were taken by anglers using power bait, corn and salmon eggs.

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

MCALLISTER LAKE: Trout fishing was slow with only a few fish taken by anglers using power bait, spinners and salmon egg/corn combinations.

MONASTERY LAKE: Trout fishing was fair for anglers using corn, power bait and salmon eggs.

MORPHY LAKE: Fishing was rated as excellent on opening day. The lake was crowded but most anglers caught limits of trout. They were using a wide assortment of lures including power bait, worms, corn, flies and spinners.

PECOS RIVER: As of Monday, water flow near Pecos was 91cfs and the water was off color. Trout fishing was rated as slow-to-fair by most anglers. Best baits were night crawler, spinners and bead head nymphs.

RED RIVER: Water flow as of Monday below the hatchery was 66cfs. Fishing this past week was slow-to-fair for anglers using worms, bead head wooly buggers, copper john barrs and night crawlers.

RIO GRANDE: The water flow Monday morning at the Taos Junction Bridge was 1,240cfs. Fishing was generally slow for all species. There were a few trout taken by anglers using spinners and worms.

SPRINGER LAKE: Fishing was fair-to-good this past week for anglers using cut bait, spinner baits, jerk baits and Rat-L-Traps for northern pike up to 31 inches. A few catfish were taken by anglers using cut bait.

STORRIE LAKE: Trout fishing was rated as good-to-excellent by most anglers. They were catching fish in the 15-to-18 inch range. Best baits were cheese and yellow power bait. We had no reports on other species.

STUBBLEFIELD: We had no reports from anglers this week. The lake is full and boats can be launched at this time.

UTE LAKE: Overall, fishing was good one day and slow the next as a series of fronts moved through the area over the past week. Crappie fishing picked up as anglers reported catching several while using minnows, jigs and small crank baits. Fishing for walleye was fair for anglers trolling Reef Runners and bottom bouncers in 10-to-18 feet of water. Anglers casting crank baits along the main lake shoreline also reported catching a few walleye. Fishing for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass was fair-to-good for anglers using spinner baits and crank baits in the backs of coves and jigs and tubes off main lake points. Fishing for white bass was good for anglers using jerk baits, crank baits, minnows and grubs up Ute Creek and also up the Canadian arm of the lake. We had no reports on other species.

NORTHWEST AREA

ABIQUIU LAKE: Fishing from the bank was rated as slow-to-fair for anglers fishing for catfish and trout. A few cats were taken by anglers using liver, stink bait and worms. A few trout were taken on power bait and worms. We had no reports from boaters.

BLUEWATER LAKE: Fishing for tiger musky was fair-to-good for anglers using Rapalas and Rat-L-Traps. (See catches of the week). Fishing for trout was slow. A few were taken by anglers using power bait and worms. Anglers are reminded that the tiger musky is a catch and release only fish.

CHAMA RIVER: Water flow below El Vado Lake on Monday morning was 100cfs and 201cfs below Abiquiu. Trout fishing below El Vado Lake was fair for anglers using Rapalas, wooly buggers and night crawlers. We had no reports from below Abiquiu.

CONSERVANCY PARK LAKE: Trout fishing at the catch and release pond was fair for anglers using egg patterns, small streamers and copper john barrs. Fishing at the other ponds was fair for anglers using cheese, power bait, salmon eggs and worms.

EL VADO LAKE: Bank fishing near the dam was fair for anglers using night crawlers, spinners and power bait for brown and rainbow trout up to 19 inches.

FENTON LAKE: Trout fishing slowed some this past week. A few fish were taken by anglers using power bait, salmon eggs and corn.

HERON LAKE: Slow for trolling but good for bank fishing was the report from most anglers this past week. Anglers fishing from the bank near Ridge Rock and near La Laja caught several rainbow trout and a few small lake trout. They were using power bait.

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

JEMEZ WATERS: As of Monday, water flow on the Jemez near Jemez Springs was 160cfs and the water was murky. Fishing was slow here but good on the Cebolla above and below Fenton Lake. Anglers did well using worms, salmon eggs, egg patterns and copper john barrs for a mixed bag of brown and rainbow trout.

LAKE FARMINGTON: Fishing was slow-to-fair using power bait, spinners and corn for trout. We had no reports on other species.

MANZANO LAKE: Trout fishing was slow-to-fair for anglers using power bait, salmon eggs and spinners.

NAVAJO LAKE: Crappie fishing started to pick up this past week. Anglers did best using minnows and small jigs in Francis Canyon. There were several smallmouth bass taken by anglers using tubes, jigs and worms off main lake points. A few northern pike were taken by anglers using spinner baits and jerk baits and working the San Juan arm of the lake. Bank fishing for trout was fair for anglers fishing near the main boat ramp and using power bait and salmon eggs. We had no reports on other species.

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

SANTA CRUZ LAKE: Trout fishing was very good for anglers using power bait, salmon eggs, worms, spinners and prop flies under a bubble.

SAN JUAN: Water flow below Navajo Lake as of Monday morning was 702cfs. Trout fishing through the Quality Waters was good for anglers using OJs, red annelids, small bead head pheasant tails, egg patterns, copper john barrs, RS2s, leeches and San Juan worms. Through the bait waters, fishing was fair-to-good using night crawlers, cheese, power bait spinners, copper john barrs, wooly buggers and jerk baits.

SEVEN SPRINGS BROOD POND: The pond is open to fishing for children under age 12.

SOUTHWEST AREA

BEAR CANYON: Trout fishing was fair for anglers using power bait, wooly buggers and salmon eggs.

BILL EVANS LAKE: Trout fishing was fair for anglers using spinners, power bait and salmon eggs. A few bluegills were taken by anglers using worms. We had no reports on other species.

BURN LAKE: Crappie fishing was good again this past week as anglers did well using minnows. Fishing was fair-to-good for anglers using power bait and salmon eggs for trout.

CABALLO LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species. A few small white bass were taken by anglers using minnows and crank baits. A few walleye were taken by anglers fishing the upper end of the lake and using crank baits. We had no reports on other species.

ELEPHANT BUTTE: Fishing for white bass was fair-to-good for anglers using crank baits, minnows and grubs. Anglers reported the best areas were around the Black Bluffs and south of Kettle Top. Fishing was fair-to-good fishing from boats and using liver and cut bait over baited holes for catfish. Anglers fishing from the bank reported slow fishing for catfish. Fishing for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass was fair for anglers using jerk baits, crank baits, spinner baits, tubes and jigs. Most of the black bass were taken by anglers fishing in coves and working baits in less than 10 feet of water.

GLENWOOD POND: We had no reports from anglers this week.

ESCONDIDA LAKE: Fishing was slow but a few trout were taken by anglers using cheese and power bait.

GILA RIVER: Water flow near Gila on Monday was 250cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

LAKE ROBERTS: Fishing was slow-to-fair using power bait for trout.

PERCHA DAM: Fishing was slow for all species.

QUEMADO LAKE: Trout fishing was slow-to-fair for anglers using power bait, salmon eggs and Pistol Petes. We had no reports on other species.

RIO GRANDE: Water flow below Elephant Butte as of Monday was 2,200cfs. Fishing was slow but there were a few white bass and walleye taken by anglers using white, pumpkin and chartreuse grubs. A few trout were taken by anglers using spinners and night crawlers. We had no reports on other species.

SOUTHEAST AREA

BATAAN LAKE: Trout fishing was fair for anglers using salmon eggs, cheese, spinners and power bait. We had no reports on other species.

BONITO LAKE: Trout fishing was good for anglers using power bait, salmon eggs, corn, bead head nymphs, spinners and small spoons. A few carp were taken by anglers using corn.

BOSQUE REDONDO: Trout fishing was good for anglers using spinners, corn, worms and salmon eggs. We had no reports on other species.

BOTTOMLESS LAKES: Trout fishing was fair for anglers using power bait.

BRANTLEY LAKE: Anglers are to practice catch and release for all fish here as high levels of DDT were found in several fish. We had no reports from anglers this week.

CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL LAKE: Trout fishing was slow-to-fair for anglers using power bait and salmon eggs.

JAL LAKE: Trout fishing was fair for anglers using corn, power bait and salmon eggs.

LAKE VAN: Trout fishing was good for anglers using spinners, prop flies under a bubble, power bait, corn and salmon eggs.

PECOS RIVER: Water flow on Monday below Sumner Lake was 95cfs. Trout fishing was fair for anglers using power bait, spinners and worms. We had no reports on other species.

PERCH LAKE: Trout fishing was fair this past week for anglers using power bait, salmon eggs, corn and Pistol Petes.

RUIDOSO RIVER: Water flow at Ruidoso as of Monday was 16cfs. Trout fishing was slow.

SANTA ROSA LAKE: It was another one of those weeks where many bass anglers reported fishing as slow while others had good luck. The best reports came from anglers ripping lipless crank baits in the channel area and across from the boat ramp. Fishing for crappie was fair for anglers using small crappie jigs and minnows. Fishing for catfish was slow-to-fair for anglers using liver and cut bait on trot lines. We had no reports on other species.

SUMNER LAKE: Fishing was fair using crank baits for smallmouth bass, white bass and walleye. One group of anglers caught several walleye, white bass and a smallmouth bass in a small area while trolling red Rat-L-Traps. All the fish were suspended at 5 feet over 20 feet of water. Another angler caught several smallmouth and largemouth bass while working the shoreline with grubs and tubes.

The fishing report is prepared by Bill Dunn. For information or to contribute, contact Bill Dunn. If you have a "Catch of the Week" include date, location, type of fish, length and bait used to catch the fish. This is a new email for Bill...

Tight lines,

Brian