“Catch of the Week”
Elephant Butte Lake: Carlos Sifuentes caught and released two striped bass weighing 8 pounds, 1 ounce, and 7 pounds, eight ounces, using a jerkbait, as well as two white bass using a shad-colored crankbait on Nov. 24.
Source: New Mexico Game and Fish
Photo: Courtesy
For the “Stocking Report” ending December 5, 2025, 560lbs of Triploid Rainbow Trout from the Los Ojos Hatchery were introduced into Bill Evans Lake. Roughly 900 fish measuring around 11” each. Another 148lbs. were introduced into Glenwood Pond.
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.
- Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for white bass was slow to fair when using shad-colored crankbaits. Fishing for striped bass was slow to fair when using jerkbaits.
- Escondida Lake:The most recent report was received Nov. 27. At that time, fishing for catfish was good when using PowerBait.
- Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 117 cfs.
- Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 52.8 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.
Game and Fish 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.
Winter Fishing Tips
Warm autumn days have given way to snow and ice in many parts of New Mexico, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy your time trying to reel in the big one at one of the state’s numerous lakes, rivers or streams! This week, we’re going back to 2010, when the Department put out some tips and tricks for successful winter fishing. While this video focuses on the Cimarron River, there are many places throughout the Land of Enchantment where you can drop a line in and take advantage of some peace and quiet this winter.
Remember to let NMDGF know how your fishing trip goes! Share your tips, tricks and stories with your fellow anglers by filling out the iFish form and let’s help the next generation of anglers find success. If you would like to submit a story for Tips, Tricks and Stories, please email Communications Director Darren Vaughan at Darren.Vaughan@dgf.nm.gov.