Fishing Report: A Fisherman Gives Tips on How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolution

GAME & FISH WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU! Tell them about your latest New Mexico fishing adventure, or your catch of the week. Just visit the Department’s Weekly Fishing & Stocking Report website and use the iFish form at the bottom of the page. Submissions received by 5 p.m. Monday will be considered for inclusion in that week’s fishing report. For catches of the week include: your name, age, hometown, date, location, type of fish, length and weight if possible, and bait, lure or fly used. Fish weights and measurements are provided by the angler and displayed here as received. (Photos containing sensitive material may be altered or excluded at the Department’s discretion.)

This fishing report, provided by the Department of Game and Fish, 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.

Southwest New Mexico Fishing Report

• Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing conditions have been adversely affected in the aftermath of the Trout Fire.
• Elephant Butte Lake: The most recent report was received Dec. 18. At that time, fishing for catfish was good when using chicken. The South Monticello boat ramp is currently closed and access to Rattlesnake Island is currently restricted due to low water levels. The closures will be lifted when water levels rise and conditions allow.
• Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 70.9 cfs. Fishing for Gila trout was slow to fair when using flies in the west fork.
• Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 49.9 cfs.
• Glenwood Pond: The most recent report was received Dec. 18. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using PowerBait.
• Quemado Lake:The lake has reopened to the public.
• Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0.87 cfs. 

Game & Fish received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Bill Evans Lake, Caballo Lake, Escondida Lake, Lake Roberts, Percha Dam, Rancho Grande Ponds, Snow Lake, Trees Lake and Young Pond.  

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How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolution

By Darren Vaughan

As I mentioned last week, most New Year’s resolutions tend not to last long.

A gym membership can only go so far without the guidance of a personal trainer. The success of a new diet depends on what you have in the refrigerator. Counting steps? Totally fine, until that old knee injury flares up again (ask me how I know).

But, if your New Year’s resolution for 2026 was to fish more this year, the Department can give you all the resources you need to have a great time enjoying New Mexico’s waters. The Department’s Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner page is home to a smorgasbord of historic fishing data that can help you pick the perfect spot, time of year, and species to pursue.

The Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner page contains data for a number of lakes and rivers across the state, as well as an interactive Fishing Waters Map that includes hundreds of fishing access points with information about what species are there, facilities, accessibility, boat ramps and general regulations.

Interested in catching a smallmouth bass? Maybe a trip to Abiquiu Lake in June is in order. Fly fishing for trout? Early fall is a great time to head up to northwestern New Mexico and fish the quality waters on the San Juan River. Is walleye more your speed? Sumner Lake might be the right spot for you in May.

Data can be sorted by individual species. For instance, crappie fishing is at its peak in May, and hot spots include Conchas Lake and Santa Rosa Lake. Fishing for white bass peaks at Brantley Lake in late April and early May, while late May is the best time for white bass at Elephant Butte Lake, and late August is a good time to go to Ute Lake.

Make this the year that you keep your New Year’s resolution! No personal trainer or nutritionist required.

Let Game & Fish know how your fishing trip goes! Share your tips and tricks with your fellow anglers by filling out the iFish form and let’s help the next generation of anglers find success.