Anglers have recently reported fair-to-good conditions for trout fishing and good conditions for largemouth bass fishing at Bill Evans Lake.
Source: New Mexico Game and Fish
Photo: Courtesy
Southwest New Mexico Fishing Report
- Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing conditions have been adversely affected in the aftermath of the Trout Fire.
- Bill Evans Lake: The most recent report was received Nov. 20. At that time, fishing for catfish was fair to good when using natural scent trout bait. Fishing for largemouth bass was good when using crawdads.
- Escondida Lake:Fishing for catfish was good when using PowerBait.
- Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 146 cfs.
- Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 42.8 cfs.
- Quemado Lake:The lake is currently closed due to an algal bloom. It will reopen when the New Mexico Environment Department advises that the lake is safe for public use. For more information, visit the Gila National Forest website.
- Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0 cfs.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Caballo Lake, Elephant Butte Lake, Glenwood Pond, Lake Roberts, Percha Dam, Rancho Grande Ponds, Snow Lake, Trees Lake and Young Pond. [The Stocking Report for November 15-21 listed ~400 lbs (~960 fish @ ~10.1” ) of Rock Lake Trout introduced into Young Pond.]
Decades of work keeps Rio Grande cutthroat trout off Endangered Species List
The Department and its partners have worked for decades to restore New Mexico’s state fish, the Rio Grande cutthroat trout, to its historic range. That work has culminated in the decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to remove the species from protected status under the Endangered Species Act — a reason to celebrate, but far from the end of the Department’s efforts to ensure that Rio Grande cutthroat trout continue to thrive.
Decades of dedicated conservation work by the Department and its partners have secured a bright future for the Rio Grande cutthroat trout (RGCT). This collaborative effort culminated in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s recent decision that the species does not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act, affirming its long-term stability throughout its range.
The Rio Grande cutthroat trout, New Mexico’s state fish, is native to high-elevation streams in New Mexico and Colorado, including watersheds of the Canadian, Pecos and Rio Grande rivers. The species is threatened by competition and hybridization with nonnative trout, such as rainbow, brook and brown trout, as well as habitat loss, drought and the effects of wildfires.
Conservation efforts for the RGCT date back to the 1960s and 1970s. In 1989, the Department created a dedicated biologist position to focus on RGCT conservation. In 2003, the RGCT Conservation Team was established, bringing together federal and state agencies, tribes, municipalities, non-governmental organizations and private landowners. This collaborative group has worked tirelessly to protect and restore RGCT populations across the region.
The Department has led several recent projects to remove nonnative trout and reintroduce the RGCT into its native habitats. At the Seven Springs Hatchery, a broodstock program established by the Department produces thousands of RGCT annually. This source of fish is key to providing angler opportunities and creating new populations throughout New Mexico.
One of the most notable achievements is the Rio Costilla restoration project, which added more than 120 miles of stream, 16 lakes and a reservoir of protected RGCT habitat. This project also restored populations of the Rio Grande chub and sucker, which were similarly kept off the Endangered Species list this year. Additional restoration efforts have been completed on Middle Ponil Creek and Willow Creek, with new projects, such as Cow Creek in the Pecos watershed, currently under way.
To address the impacts of wildfires, the Department and its partners have salvaged RGCT populations from affected areas, relocating them to unoccupied streams or incorporating them into hatchery programs for future stocking. Following post-fire flooding, biologists evaluate stream conditions to identify opportunities for future restoration, ensuring the species will continue to thrive.
The decision not to list the RGCT as threatened or endangered highlights the success of the Department’s conservation initiatives and partnerships. While this decision is a significant milestone, the Department remains committed to the long-term survival of the Rio Grande cutthroat trout. This iconic species is a vital part of New Mexico’s natural heritage, and the Department will continue its efforts to ensure it thrives in its native habitat for generations to come.
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