NM fishing/stocking report for Dec. 24
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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing adventure, or your catch of the week. Just visit the Department's Weekly Fishing & Stocking Report website and use the iFish form at the bottom of the page. Submissions received by 5 p.m. Monday will be considered for inclusion in that week's fishing report. For catches of the week include: your 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 displayed here as received. Photos containing sensitive material may be altered or excluded at the Department's discretion.
This fishing report, provided by the Department of Game and Fish, 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.
CHECK OUT THE LATEST STOCKING REPORT
The weekly stocking report is posted each Friday, so it can include the latest stocking details right up to the weekend.
The 2025-2026 license year is ongoing!
Licenses for the 2025-2026 license year remain valid until March 31, 2026. The 2025-2026 Fishing Rules and Information Booklet (RIB) is available online in both English and Spanish, and will soon be available in print at Department offices and vendors statewide.
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!
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
The New Mexico Environment Department has reported a potentially harmful algae bloom at various waterbodies throughout the state. Visit the New Mexico Environment Department's News Releases page for more information .
Consult local government websites for information regarding specific city and town fishing access.
NORTHEAST
NORTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK
Hopewell Lake: Brandon and his daughter caught and released more than 30 brook and rainbow trout, keeping four, using jigs tipped with nightcrawlers and wax worms on Dec. 20. “I took my daughter out for our 2025-2026 ice fishing season, and it did not disappoint,” Brandon said. “We got to Hopewell Lake at 7:30 a.m. and called it a day at noon.”
Monastery Lake: Joseph Calabaza Jr., age 8, of Albuquerque, caught several rainbow trout, including an 18-incher, using mealworms on Dec. 13.
Pecos River: Joseph caught a rainbow trout using live bait near the Jamie Koch Pavilion on Dec. 1.
Pecos River: Kyle Druktenis caught a personal-best 27-inch rainbow trout that was 7½ inches around using a muddler fly on Dec. 20. “My buddy took a swim for this one,” he said. “The fight took at least five minutes to catch.”
NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT
Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was not measured due to ice.
Eagle Nest Lake: The most recent report was received Dec. 18. At that time, fishing for trout was good when using jigs and PowerBait. For updated lake conditions, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.
Hopewell Lake: The most recent report was received Dec. 18. At that time, ice fishing for trout was very good when using Swedish pimples and tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms.
Monastery Lake: Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using mealworms. The lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property .
Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 32.6 cfs. Fishing for trout was slow when using size-16 dry flies. Fishing for trout was fair to good when using muddler flies and live bait.
Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 41.2 cfs.
Rio Grande: Streamflow below the Taos Junction Bridge on Wednesday morning was 649 cfs.
Rio Hondo: Streamflow near Valdez Wednesday morning was 7.5 cfs.
Rio Mora: Streamflow near Terrero Wednesday morning was 6.33 cfs.
Rio Pueblo: Streamflow near Peñasco Wednesday morning was not measured due to ice.
Ute Lake: The most recent report was received Dec. 18. At that time, fishing for walleye, crappie, catfish and white bass was fair to good when using 3- and 4-inch Gulp minnows and jigs with green blades.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Cabresto Lake, Clayton Lake, Charette Lakes, Conchas Lake, Cowles Ponds, Coyote Creek, Eagle Rock Lake, Gallinas River, Harris Pond, Lake Alice, Lake Maloya, Los Pinos River, Maxwell Lake 13, Morphy Lake, Red River City Ponds, Red River Hatchery, Rio Costilla, Santa Cruz Reservoir, Shuree Ponds, Springer Lake, Storrie Lake and Stubblefield Lake.
NORTHWEST
NORTHWEST CATCH OF THE WEEK
Fishing for rainbow trout has been very good recently at Tingley Beach when using Garlic PowerBait and pale green Gulp on Carolina rigs with No. 6 hooks.
NORTHWEST FISHING REPORT
Abiquiu Lake: Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at…