Fishing Report: New Mexico’s Open Gate Program

Bill Evans Lake: Eric Kennburg caught this unique albino catfish before dawn using cutbait. 

Source: N.M. Department of Wildlife
Photos: Courtesy

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

• Bear Canyon Lake: Closed to the public Monday–Thursday starting Oct. 5. The lake will remain open Friday-Sunday. Regular use projected to return in Jan. 2027.
• Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for catfish was fair to good when using cutbait. 
• Caballo Lake: With recent flooding along the Rio Grande, 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: The Marina del Sur boat ramp is now open. Park staff reminds visitors to remain cautious of lake debris and shallow areas due to recent changes in water levels. 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 374 cfs.
• Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs on Tuesday morning was 206 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: Glenwood Pond, Lake Roberts, Percha Dam, Quemado Lake, Rancho Grande Ponds, Trees Lake, Snow Lake, Whitewater Creek and Young Pond.

More Access to Fishing and Hunting Areas — New Mexico’s Open Gate Program

By Colleen Payne

Southwest Area Public Information Specialist

Open Gate is a voluntary access program available to landowners in New Mexico. Through the program, the New Mexico Department of Wildlife leases lands and waters from private landowners to provide access to the public for fishing, hunting and trapping. Each participating property will have specific rules posted on site and online for permitted activities agreed upon by the landowner and the department. It is the responsibility of the hunter, angler, or trapper to know and obey posted rules. Citations can be issued for violation of any rules or regulations.

Information and locations of Open Gate leases are available online.

Are you interested in being part of the Open Gate program?

The Department is interested in leasing lands that provide quality habitat for fishing, hunting, or trapping. Landowners can apply to enroll their deeded acreage in an agreement with the Department and receive a per-acre based payment. The Department may also pay for right-of-way access through a landowner’s property to allow anglers and hunters to reach otherwise inaccessible tracts of State Trust or federal lands. The State of New Mexico provides liability protection to participating landowners. Funding for Open Gate is provided from a portion of annual Habitat Management and Access Validation sales. 

To learn more about the Open Gate program, visit the Department’s website.