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 ABQ Sportfishing email. We may include your story in our next report. For catches of the week, include name, date, location, type of fish, length and bait used.

Catches of the Week
On Saturday April 17, Jim Douglas of Colorado Springs, CO caught and released a 5.11 pound largemouth bass at Conchas Lake. Jim was fishing a steep rocky bank pitching a lizard. Kyle Brewer of Clovis, NM caught and released a 4.12 pound smallmouth.
On Saturday April 17, Mike Alvarado of Santa Fe, NM caught a 10 pound and 13 pound lake trout at Heron Lake. There were reports of a 19 and 20 also caught. Mike was fishing Rainbow Bombers and Flatfish at 30 feet.
On Sunday April 18, Tyler Wilson of Alamagordo, NM caught and released a 5.02 pound largemouth bass at Conchas Lake.

Abiquiu Lake: 4,000 acre lake on the Chama River Northwest of Abiquiu. Fish species- Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie and Trout
Clarity:3-4 foot
Water Temp:53-58
Lots of floating debris as there is flow coming in and going out of the lake. Several walleye were caught over 20"s. Smallmouth fishing was very good with a few being caught just under 3 pounds.

Amistad Lake - Del Rio, TX: 64,900 acre lake on the Rio Grande, 12 miles northwest of Del Rio, TX in Val Verde County. Fish species- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Channel and Blue Catfish, White and Striped Bass
Click here for the Amistad Fishing Report Sponsored by SW Texas Bass Guide - Kurt Dove

Conchas Lake: 16,033-acre lake on the Canadian River. Fish species - Largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish and walleye.
Clarity:Good
Water Temp:mid to upper 50s
Fishng for short (less than 14") smallmouth and largemouth is excellent, fishing for 14" or larger bass was almost non-existent. Walleye fishing is excellent. Carppie fishing was also fair. Trolling or casting is producing fish in all depths. Best bait for walleye is Berkley Gulp Craws or Leeches tipped on a jig or tubes and beavers.
Fishing Report Sponsored by Conchas North Dock Marina

Elephant Butte Lake: 40,000-surface acre lake on the Rio Grande formed by a dam created in 1916. Hundreds of miles of shoreline with a depth of 165 feet. When lake level is at capacity the lake is up to 40 miles long with an average width of about 1.5 miles. Fish species - Largemouth bass, catfish, walleye, flathead and channel catfish, crappie, smallmouth, white bass and striped bass (true stripers, not hybrid) and bluegill.
Clarity:4 feet
Water Temp:55
Fishing for white bass and smallmouth is excellent. White bombers and minnows are working well. No reports on other species.
Fishing Report Sponsored by Marina Del Sur

Navajo Lake: 15,600-acre lake with a depth at the deepest part close to the dam of almost 400 feet. Three major arms of the lake, the Pine, the San Juan, and Francis gives fishermen plenty to enjoy. Fish species - Smallmouth and largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, northern pike, rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, brown trout and channel catfish.
Clarity:Good, very light stain in areas.
Water Temp:44-49
Pike are reported as good using rapalas and crank baits. Catfish are fair at 20-25 ft. with chicken liver. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are good with jerk baits.

Santa Rosa Lake: 3,500-acre lake on the Pecos River. Fish species - Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Catfish, Bluegill, Crappie and Walleye.
Clarity:3 inches, chocolate milk
Water Temp:50-55 on the main lake, 58-60 in the coves
Lots of floating debris here also, exercise caution. Crappie and walleye fishing is reported as good to excellent on minnows. Smallmouth and largemouth fishing was reported as fair.

Sumner Lake: 2,800-acre lake with a maximum depth of 65' and an average depth of 20-30 feet on the Pecos River. Fish species - Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, bluegill, walleye, catfish, crappie, white bass and winter trout.
Clarity:Stained
Water Temp:50-58
Walleye fishing is good using minnows. Best reports are around the dam and in Violation cove on the east side.

Ute Lake: 8,200-acre lake with a shoreline of approximately 45 miles with a maximum depth of 88 feet. Winds for miles through a rocky canyon up the Canadian River and Ute Creek. Fish species - Largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, walleye, channel catfish and white bass.
Clarity:Clear on the main lake, stained up the arms
Water Temp:54
Click here for the Ute Lake Fishing Report Sponsored by The Tackle Box Walleye fishing remains excellent with many limits being caught trolling deep diving lures and jerk baits, or jigging with minnows. Crappie are scattered and a few have been caught on minnows. White bass are reported as good using jerk baits. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are fair with jerk baits, jigs and senkos. Catfish are fair using stink bait.

Tight lines,

ABQ Sportfishnig