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“Decades of dedicated conservation work by the Department and its partners have secured a bright future for the Rio Grande cutthroat trout (RGCT).”
Source: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Photos: Courtesy
- Elephant Butte Lake (Cover): Brandon Huff caught a striped bass using a jerkbait on Feb. 28. “I fought this striper for 15 minutes,” he said.
- Escondida Lake (Left): Charles Kershaw (above) caught a carp using a spoon on Feb. 22. “I was fishing for trout and bass but hooked this monster accidentally,” he said. “I fought him for about 20 minutes on an ultralight rod.”
- Bill Evans Lake (Middle): Ed Ramirez caught five rainbow trout using Garlic PowerBait while fishing with his girlfriend on March 2.
- Bear Canyon Lake (Right): Breanna Montoya caught 10 catfish using PowerBait on Feb. 27.
SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT
Alumni Pond: Closed for repairs until further notice.
Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing for catfish was good when using PowerBait.
Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for rainbow trout was fair to good when using Garlic PowerBait.
Caballo Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for striped bass was slow to fair when using jerkbaits.
Escondida Lake: Fishing for trout was good when using worms.
Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 57.3 cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.
Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 48.1 cfs.
Glenwood Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Lake Roberts: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Percha Dam: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Quemado Lake: The lake has thawed and is open to the public. Fishing for trout was slow when using PowerBait.
Rancho Grande Ponds: Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using PowerBait.
Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was less than 1 cfs.
Snow Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Trees Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Young Pond: We had no reports from anglers this week.
TIPS, TRICKS AND STORIES
| Decades of Work Keeps Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout off Endangered Species List |
| Editor’s Note: The full article and photos are available here. Decades of dedicated conservation work by the Department and its partners have secured a bright future for the Rio Grande cutthroat trout (RGCT). This collaborative effort culminated in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s recent decision that the species does not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act, affirming its long-term stability throughout its range. The Rio Grande cutthroat trout, New Mexico’s state fish, is native to high-elevation streams in New Mexico and Colorado, including watersheds of the Canadian, Pecos and Rio Grande rivers. The species is threatened by competition and hybridization with nonnative trout, such as rainbow, brook and brown trout, as well as habitat loss, drought and the effects of wildfires. Conservation efforts for the RGCT date back to the 1960s and 1970s. In 1989, the Department created a dedicated biologist position to focus on RGCT conservation. In 2003, the RGCT Conservation Team was established, bringing together federal and state agencies, tribes, municipalities, non-governmental organizations and private landowners. This collaborative group has worked tirelessly to protect and restore RGCT populations across the region. The Department has led several recent projects to remove nonnative trout and reintroduce the RGCT into its native habitats. At the Seven Springs Hatchery, a broodstock program established by the Department produces thousands of RGCT annually. This source of fish is key to providing angler opportunities and creating new populations throughout New Mexico. One of the most notable achievements is the Rio Costilla restoration project, which added more than 120 miles of stream, 16 lakes and a reservoir of protected RGCT habitat. This project also restored populations of the Rio Grande chub and sucker, which were similarly kept off the Endangered Species list this year. Additional restoration efforts have been completed on Middle Ponil Creek and Willow Creek, with new projects, such as Cow Creek in the Pecos watershed, currently under way. To address the impacts of wildfires, the Department and its partners have salvaged RGCT populations from affected areas, relocating them to unoccupied streams or incorporating them into hatchery programs for future stocking. Following post-fire flooding, biologists evaluate stream conditions to identify opportunities for future restoration, ensuring the species will continue to thrive. The decision not to list the RGCT as threatened or endangered highlights the success of the Department’s conservation initiatives and partnerships. While this decision is a significant milestone, the Department remains committed to the long-term survival of the Rio Grande cutthroat trout. This iconic species is a vital part of New Mexico’s natural heritage, and the Department will continue its efforts to ensure it thrives in its native habitat for generations to come. |
Reminder from Department of Game and Fish and New Mexico Healthcare Authority: Parents must be current on child support to get hunting and fishing licenses
SANTA FE – New Mexico parents who are behind on child support payments could be denied hunting or fishing licenses under the state’s Parental Responsibility Act.
“We want parents to enjoy the hunting and fishing adventures New Mexico has to offer,” said Betina Gonzales McCracken, director of HCA’s Child Support Services Division. “If you are behind in paying child support, reach out to us. We can help you get caught up or assist you with finding a job to start meeting your commitment and get your license.”
Each month, the child support program provides a certified list of parents who are behind on child support to 63 state agencies that issue licenses. Parents who want to avoid delays in getting a hunting or fishing license can contact the Child Support Services Division by visiting YES.NM.GOV or calling 800-283-4465.
Once a parent is up to date with child support payments, they will need to pay a $25 reinstatement fee, which can be paid through their Game and Fish customer account or by calling 1-888-248-6866.
“Spending time outdoors can be a great way to connect with your children,” said Michael Sloane, director of the Department of Game and Fish. “Don’t miss out on a potential once-in-a-lifetime hunting or fishing trip because you aren’t up to date on your child support.”
For unemployed parents, the program offers STEPUp!, a collaborative effort with the Department of Workforce Solutions to help parents with job opportunities and training so they can make consistent monthly payments. In 2024, the program helped 710 parents find jobs and get back on track with their child support payments.
This year, the child support program is celebrating 50 years of serving families across the state. The program currently has 50,000 active child support cases and collected $119.2 million in 2024, with 98 percent of funds going directly to families.
