NM fishing/stocking report for Sept. 18

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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 https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/fishing/weekly-report/ and use the iFish form at the bottom of this 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 2025-26 license year is underway!

License sales for the 2025-26 license year have begun. Licenses from the 2024-2025 license year are no longer valid. The 2025-26 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

Consult local government websites for information regarding specific city and town fishing access.

NORTHEAST

NORTHEAST CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Cowles Ponds: Arrow, age 5, was ecstatic after catching his first trout using worms on Sept. 13.

Hopewell Lake: Hugo Melchor, of El Paso, Texas, caught and released 12 trout using hand-tied jig flies on Sept. 6. “I am very grateful to continue to fish on the fly,” said Hugo, a 59-year-old disabled Navy veteran. “I appreciate the great state of New Mexico for all they do to provide us with such awesome therapy.”

Morphy Lake: Lilly Lovato, age 9, caught a trout using Salmon Peach PowerBait on Sept. 5. “Lilly wasn’t feeling like fishing much, and right before we decided to leave, she grabbed the fishing rod and cast it in,” her dad said. “Right when she was tightening her line, she yelled, ‘Dad, I have a bite!’ I told her to pull it in. She got the biggest fish.”

Red River: Stephanie Johnson caught five rainbow trout using worms below the Red River Hatchery on Sept. 12. “Texas will be proud of this catch,” she said.

Rio Grande: Seth Hardy caught and released several brown and rainbow trout, including this 18-inch rainbow, using an olive sled-tied streamer fly on Sept. 11 near Questa.

NORTHEAST FISHING REPORT

Cabresto Lake: The most recent report was received Aug. 28. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using olive bead head caddis flies.

Charette Lakes: Fishing for trout was very good when using worms.

Cimarron River: Streamflow near Cimarron Wednesday morning was 12.5 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Cowles Ponds: Fishing for trout was very good when using worms.

Coyote Creek: The most recent report was received Sept. 11. Fishing for trout was good when using spinners.

Eagle Nest Lake: The New Mexico Environment Department has reported a potentially harmful algae bloom at the lake and the public is advised to take precautions, including keeping pets out of the water and avoiding swimming in the algae bloom. For updated lake conditions and potential hazards, visit the park’s webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

Hopewell Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using hand-tied jig flies.

Lake Maloya: The most recent report was received Aug. 28. At that time, fishing for trout was fair to good when using PowerBait Mice Tails and Pistol Pete flies.

Monastery Lake: The most recent report was received Aug. 28. At that time, fishing for trout was slow when using worms and Pistol Petes. The lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property .

Morphy Lake: Fishing for trout was fair to good when using Salmon Peach PowerBait.

Pecos River: Streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 96.3 cfs. The most recent report was received Sept. 4. At that time, fishing for trout was very good when using PowerBait and good when using elk-hair caddis and Adams flies.

Red River: Streamflow below the Red River Hatchery on Wednesday morning was 43.7 cfs. Fishing for rainbow trout was very good when using worms below the Red River Hatchery.

Red River Hatchery: The most recent report was received Sept. 4. At that time, fishing for rainbow trout was good when using salmon eggs and slow to fair when using leech-like flies.

Rio Costilla: The most recent report was received Sept. 11. Fishing for trout was…