Mimbres, NM, June 14, 2019 — Did you make it out to Lake Roberts and the Free Fishing Day on June 1? It was a banner year for youth participants and for large Gila trout being caught.

Over 140 fish were checked into the weigh station. The winners of biggest Gila trout were Parker Cox, an eighth-grader from La Plata Middle School, for his catch weighing 2.42 pounds and measuring 18.5”, Khloe Gonzales, a kindergartener at Jornada Elementary, for her catch weighing 2.1 pounds, 18.25”, Zahara Ganzt, a sixth-grader from Stout Elementary, for her catch weighing 2.17 pounds and 18.1”.

The largest fish were caught by James Gonzales, a 12th grader from Cobre High School with his catfish weighing 4.5 pounds and measuring 21”, and Aubri Montgomery, an 11th-grader from Onate HS, who caught a bluegill weighing 1 pound and measuring 10”. Most fish caught were five Gila trout caught by Diontaye Riley, eighth-grader from Laguna Middle School; five Gila trout caught by Michael Dominguez, a ninth-grader from Cobre High; and five Gila trout caught by Alex Misquez, a fourth-grader from San Lorenzo Elementary. The Most Species Award went to Kylee Jones, a ninth-grader from Silver HS, who also caught a one pound 16” bullfrog. Travelers Award went to Gabriel Smith, a kindergartener from Juarez, Mexico. Youngest Participant awards went to Zayla Moser and Benjamin Krotz, both aged 1 year. Participation and fish catching prizes were handed out to the 187 registered children.

This event is sponsored by the Gila National Forest, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mora National Fish Hatchery, and New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.  Co-sponsors of the event, who provided booths, T-shirts, donations, food, entertainment and organization skills, included Trout Unlimited Gila-Rio Chapter, Mesilla Valley Flyfishers, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, National Wild Turkey Federation, New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, Morningstar Sports, 1st New Mexico Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services-Keylee Topmiller, Chavez Construction, Sun Valley-True Value, Upper Gila Watershed Alliance, Jim’s Bait and Tackle, Cabela’s, and Aldo Leopold Charter School. 

Fish biologist Dustin Myers stated “there was a record turn-out and we look forward to continuing to partner with our sponsors in order to bring this unique event to the local community. The world record Gila trout is still swimming around in Lake Roberts, so get out there and fish!”

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila.