New Mexico fishing and stocking reports for March 5
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This fishing report, provided by the Department of Game and Fish in cooperation with Dustin Berg of www.gounlimited.org (“supporting disabled anglers”), has been generated from the best information available from area officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing adventure, or your catch of the week. Send it to us at funfishingnm@gmail.com . We may include your story in our next report. For catches of the week include: name, age, hometown, date, location, type of fish, length and weight if possible, and bait, lure or fly used. Fish weights and measurements are provided by the angler and printed here as received.
NOTE: There will be fewer reports available during the cooler seasons when fishing slows. The Department will make every effort to provide as much information as possible during the winter months.
CHECK OUT THE LATEST STOCKING REPORT
2023-24 Fishing RIBs and Licenses Still Available Online!
The 2023-24 Fishing Rules and Information Booklets (RIBs) are still available in print and online in English and Spanish for download . Licenses for the 2024-25 license year will be available for purchase beginning March 25.
Get your 2023-24 New Mexico fishing license!
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-year period.
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 of fish species available, facilities, accessibility, boat ramps and general regulations.
Check out the webpage to plan your trip now!
Take the Bass and Trout Challenges!
To promote fishing opportunities in New Mexico and encourage anglers to branch out and discover new fishing waters and species, anglers can participate in the New Mexico Bass Challenge , the New Mexico Trout Challenge and the Master Angler Challenge. Who knows, you could catch a New Mexico Record Fish .
Catch all the challenge species that are found throughout New Mexico or a New Mexico State Record Fish and receive a certificate and challenge coin for your accomplishment!
Land Management Agency Links
The Department reminds anglers to “know before you go” and to contact land management agencies regarding additional regulations or restrictions on specific properties of interest prior to heading afield.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
New Mexico State Lands
New Mexico State Parks
New Mexico Open Gate Properties
New Mexico Wildlife Management Areas
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Consult local government websites for information regarding specific city and town fishing access.
NORTHEAST
NORTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK
Morphy Lake: Adam Gonzales of Las Vegas caught and released a 19-inch cutthroat trout using a self-tied, olive Guide’s-Choice Hare’s Ear fly on March 1.
Pecos River: Elijah Rodriguez, age 10, of Santa Fe caught and released a 12-inch brown trout using a worm on Feb. 25.
Rio Grande: Cid Little Elk of Questa caught and released a Rio Grande cutthroat trout, brown trout and rainbow trout using a Woolly Bugger fly near the John Dunn Bridge on Feb. 29.
NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT
Cabresto Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when ice fishing using small jigs tipped with worms.
Charette Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Monday morning was not measured due to ice.
Clayton Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Conchas Lake: Fishing for smallmouth bass and walleye was fair to good when using clown-pattern crankbaits and nightcrawler worms.
Costilla Creek: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Cowles Ponds: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Coyote Creek: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Eagle Nest Lake: Ice fishing for trout was fair when using Salmon Peach PowerBait and small jigs tipped with wax worms. Ice fishing for perch was fair to good when using Rapala Jigging Rap lures tipped with meal worms. Fishing for pike was fair when using white and chartreuse tube jigs. The lake remains open to ice fishing; however, it is restricted to foot traffic only and the lake edges are starting to thaw. The northern portion of the lake has water exposed from the shore to the main portion of the ice. Proceed with extreme caution when entering the ice. Avoid ice fishing near feeder streams or known springs, brush, logs, plants, docks or areas with multiple cracks or ice that is popping or otherwise weak. For updated lake conditions, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.
Eagle Rock Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Gallinas River: National Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access. Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at 505-438-5300 for the latest closure information.
Hopewell Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Lake Alice: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Lake Maloya: Ice fishing for trout was fair to good when using Garlic PowerBait. The ADA dock is open to anglers, with priority given to mobility-impaired persons.
Los Pinos River: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Maxwell Lake 13: We had no reports from anglers this week.
Monastery Lake: The lake will be freshly stocked with trout and reopen for fishing at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 5. It is part of…