Fishing Report: Tell Your Fish Story

Got a Fish Story to Tell?

Tell the Department of Wildlife all about it! Just visit the Department of Wildlife’s Weekly Fishing and Stocking Report website and use the iFish form at the bottom of the page. Submissions received by noon Monday will be considered for inclusion in that week’s fishing report. 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 has been generated from the best information available at the time of publication.)

Southwest New Mexico Fishing Report

• Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing conditions have been adversely affected in the aftermath of the Trout Fire.
• Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good when using PowerBait.
• Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for largemouth bass was slow to fair when using small umbrella rig. Fishing for white bass was good when using crankbaits. Fishing for walleye was fair to good when using lures. The South Monticello boat ramp is currently closed due to low water levels. The closure will be lifted when water levels rise and conditions allow.
• Escondida Lake: Fishing for rainbow trout was slow when using corn and salmon eggs. Fishing for catfish was good when using garlic PowerBait.
• Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 36.2 cfs.
• Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 53.7 cfs.
• Lake Roberts: The most recent report was received March 26. At that time, fishing for trout was slow to fair when using PowerBait and good when using rooster tail spinners from a kayak.
• Quemado Lake: Fishing for tiger muskie was good when using Panther Martin.
• Rancho Grande Ponds: The most recent report was received April 2. At that time, fishing for catfish was very good when using PowerBait.
• Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0.25 cfs.
• Snow Lake: Fishing for trout was slow when using spinners and flies.

Department of Wildlife received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Caballo Lake, Glenwood Pond, Percha Dam, Rancho Grande Ponds, Trees Lake and Young Pond. 

Some of New Mexico’s most talented youth artists took part in the first-ever Art of Conservation New Mexico Fish Art Contest. The contest included divisions for grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. 

Subscribe to the Daily Las Cruces Digest

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name *How would you like to be addressed in personalized emails?

/* real people should not fill this in and expect good things – do not remove this or risk form bot signups */

First-place winners in grades 7-9 and 10-12 received guided half-day fishing trips provided by Mayfly Fly Fishing. Those who finished in first, second and third place in grades K-3 and 4-6 received a group fishing experience with Chris Jarvis, who works with the Department on various educational efforts throughout the state.

Other prizes were donated by Trout Unlimited and private individuals. To see more winners visit https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/art-of-conservation/.

Check the Fishing Conditions  and Trip Planner

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 years. 

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 on available fish species, facilities, accessibility, boat ramps and general regulations.

Check out the webpage to plan your trip now!