This fishing report, provided by the Department of Game and Fish in cooperation with Dustin Berg of www.gounlimited.org (“supporting disabled anglers”), 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.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing adventure, or your catch of the week. Send it to us at
CHECK OUT THE LATEST STOCKING REPORT
The 2024-25 license year is here. Get your new Fishing License now!
2023-24 Fishing Licenses are no longer valid. A 2024-25 Fishing License is now required since the new license year began on April 1. The 2024-25 Fishing Rules and Information Booklet (RIB) is available online and in print in English and Spanish.
The Department's Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner was created using data from past Weekly Fishing Reports to develop graphs depicting fishing conditions for several species and waterbodies throughout the year. Each graph represents the average fishing conditions for each week of the year over the four-year period.
The Department has also developed an interactive Fishing Waters Map with a wealth of information on fishing locations in New Mexico. It displays hundreds of fishing access points with information of fish species available, facilities, accessibility, boat ramps and general regulations.
Check out the webpage to plan your trip now!
Take the Bass and Trout Challenges!
To promote fishing opportunities in New Mexico and encourage anglers to branch out and discover new fishing waters and species, anglers can participate in the New Mexico Bass Challenge, the New Mexico Trout Challenge and the Master Angler Challenge. Who knows, you could catch a New Mexico Record Fish.
Land Management Agency Links
The Department reminds anglers to “know before you go” and to contact land management agencies regarding additional regulations or restrictions on specific properties of interest prior to heading afield.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
- U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
- New Mexico State Lands
- New Mexico State Parks
- New Mexico Open Gate Properties
- New Mexico Wildlife Management Areas
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Consult local government websites for information regarding specific city and town fishing access.
SOUTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK
Elephant Butte Lake: Kim Foster of Silver City caught and released an 8-pound drum using a white jig bouncing the bottom on Sept. 22.
SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT
Alumni Pond: Closed for repairs until further notice.
Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using bluegill cut bait. Fishing for bluegill was good when using worms.
Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair when using worms.Fishing for bluegill was good when using worms.
Caballo Lake: Fishing for all species was slow.
Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for white bass was good when using white jigs and chrome Kastmaster lures. Fishing for walleye was fair when using jigs tipped with worms. Fishing for drum was slow to fair when using white jigs. Fishing for crappie fair when using live minnows near the Dam Site Marina. Fishing for catfish was good when using live minnows and shrimp.
Escondida Lake: Fishing for catfish was good when using catfish dough bait.
Estancia Park Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair when using chicken liver.
Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Monday morning was 27 cfs.
Gila Waters: Fishing for Gila trout was fair to good when using Elk Hair Caddis flies near the Catwalk.
Glenwood Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Lake Roberts: Fishing for trout was good when using nightcrawler worms and Panther Martin spinners. Fishing for bass was fair to good when using Panther Martin spinners. Fishing for crappie was slow to fair when using Panther Martin spinners.
Percha Dam: Fishing for walleye was fair when using chartreuse and white jigs with curly-tail grubs.
Quemado Lake: Fishing for trout was fair when using Orange PowerBait.
Rancho Grande Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Tuesday morning was 1,400 cfs. Fishing for catfish was good when using chicken liver and cut bait.
Snow Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Trees Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Young Pond: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using stink bait, shrimp and worms.