Fishing Report: Throwback to White Bass Bonanza

The Department of Wildlife began stocking white bass in 1959, and from there the fishery steadily grew.

Source: N.M. Department of Wildlife
Media: Courtesy
Cover Image: Courtesy Wikipedia

ATTENTION: Several lakes throughout New Mexico are under Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) watches or warnings. Be sure to visit the New Mexico Environment Department’s HAB Advisory Map for the latest conditions and advisories before going out.

Southwest New Mexico Fishing Report

The Marina del Sur boat ramp at Elephant Butte Lake State Park is officially open! Effective immediately (as of October 3, 2026), the ramp is available for launching and loading vessels. Park staff remind visitors to remain cautious of lake debris and shallow areas due to recent changes in water levels. Previously visible hazards may now be hidden just below the surface. Stay safe and always wear your lifejacket. (New Mexico State Parks via Facebook)

• Bear Canyon Lake: Closed to the public Monday – Thursday starting October 5. The Lake will remain open Friday-Sunday. Regular use projected to return in Jan. 2027.
• Caballo Lake: With recent water releases from Elephant Butte and Caballo lakes, water levels are changing across the lake; boaters should exercise caution in low-water areas. For more information, visit the Caballo Lake State Park webpage or call 575-743-3942.
• Elephant Butte Lake: Due to historically low water levels, all park boat ramps are closed at this time (see above). For more information, visit the Elephant Butte State Park webpage or call 575-744-5923.
• Escondida Lake: The most recent report was received Sept. 24. At that time, fishing for bass was slow to fair when using worms.
• Gila River: Streamflow near Gila on Tuesday morning was 109 cfs.
• Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs on Tuesday morning was 59.8 cfs.
• Quemado Lake: The lake is currently under a Harmful Algae Bloom Danger Advisory.
• Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Lake was 0 cfs.

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

White Bass Bonanza

Enjoy this throwback from New Mexico Wildlife magazine September/October 1966 issue and learn where to fish for white bass currently.

Note: Some of the data in this article was taken from the September/October 1996 edition of New Mexico Wildlife, the Department’s official magazine. 

The Department of Wildlife began stocking white bass in 1959, and from there the fishery steadily grew. In fact, white bass are New Mexico’s most frequently caught warm-water sport fish. Known for their voracious appetite, tendency to strike eagerly at lures once the waters warm, they are relatively easy for anglers to catch and are great eating.

Today, the white bass population is strong enough to support a 25-fish-per-day bag limit. The largest white bass caught in New Mexico to date was a 4-pound, 13-ounce fish measuring 19½”, caught by Jack Alexander at Bill Evans Lake in 1983.

As schooling fish, white bass tend to gather in high numbers, avoiding more turbid waters. Although white bass prefer deep, open water, they will surface to strike at a school of shad.

To catch white bass, use light to medium spinning tackle on a 5- to 6.5-foot rod. Six-pound test line works best. Try jigs and flashy spinner-jig combinations: white, yellow, silver, or chartreuse, with reflective tape on the spoons and polished spinners. 

Any small lure that looks like a shad (small silvery fish) will catch white bass when a school is located. Also try crankbait spoons, minnow imitation plugs, jigging spoons, and propellered surface lures. Topwater plugs that sputter are good to use when white bass feeding is in full force.

In previous years, fall surveys have indicated that white bass populations are highest at Conchas Lake, Lake Sumner, and Ute Lake. Over the past year, white bass numbers have slightly improved at Caballo.