Whitewater Creek: Keith and Cole Rogers spent Father’s Day weekend fishing and camping in the Gila Waters. They caught Gila trout using flies and released 15-20 fish ranging from 3-14 inches. They were lucky enough to double up in one deeper pool with these two beautiful Gila trout.
Source: N.M. Department of Wildlife
Photos: Courtesy
- Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing conditions have been adversely affected in the aftermath of the Trout Fire.
- Caballo Lake: Fishing for white bass was good to fair using green and orange trolling lures. Walleye remained slow to inactive. Water levels are changing across the lake; boaters should exercise caution in low-water areas.
- Elephant Butte Lake: 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. For more information, visit the Elephant Butte State Park page.
- Escondida Lake: The most recent report was received June 11. At that time, fishing for catfish was good when using worms and chicken liver.
- Gila River: Streamflow near Gila on Tuesday morning was 8.04 cfs.
- Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs on Wednesday morning was 25 cfs.
- Lake Roberts: The most recent report was received May 28. At that time, fishing for crappie was fair to good when using lures.
- Quemado Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using worms, spinners and flies. Fishing for tiger muskie was also fair to good.
- Rio Grande: Fishing for carp was good using worms below Elephant Butte Dam and Caballo Lake. Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 2,590 cfs.
- Whitewater creek: Fishing for Gila trout was fair to good using flies and produced 3-to-14-inch trout.
NM Department of Wildlife received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Bill Evans Lake, Glenwood Pond, Percha Dam, Rancho Grande Ponds, Trees Lake, Snow Lake and Young Pond.
State Record Fish Update
By Melissa Garnett
Southeast Area Public Information Specialist
Bill, his daughter Nikki and her boyfriend were trolling in deeper water on Eagle Nest Lake early one morning.
“Nikki’s my fishing buddy. She’s got the bug, like me,” Bill said.
In 35 feet of water, Bill’s rod bent violently — nearly in half. He rushed to reel in his catch. A monster kokanee salmon broke the surface twice, and he knew the fish was special.
Congratulations to Bill and his family on their unforgettable day on the water and their state-record-tying kokanee salmon!
As they landed the fish, Nikki suspected it could be a record and looked up what would be required to certify her dad’s catch.
“It was amazing,” Bill recalled. “Something I’ll never forget.”
Bill took his kokanee salmon to the marina, where staff helped him contact the Department of Wildlife and apply for a state record. He then took the fish to a certified scale at a local grocery store and confirmed he had tied the New Mexico state record at 5 pounds.
New Mexico state-record fish must be weighed on a New Mexico Department of Agriculture-certified scale. A list of current records is available on the Department’s website. If you think you have caught a record fish, contact the Information Center or your local conservation officer to certify your catch. Complete the application on the website and take a photo of your fish on the scale. Remember not to clean or bleed your fish before the weigh-in.
Also, don’t forget to submit your catch for inclusion in the Weekly Fishing and Stocking Report! Fill out the form here and keep an eye out – your picture might just make it into the report.
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