Updated may 15, 2012 This fishing report, provided by Bill Dunn and 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.

REMINDER: The new fishing license year began April 1. Make sure you buy a new license before heading out!

CATCHES OF THE WEEK:

• Cochiti Lake: May 9, Mike Gianfriddo of Albuquerque caught a 4.5-pound smallmouth bass. he was using a Mepps spinner.
• Ute Lake: May 10, Kevin Smith of Clovis caught and released a 4.5-pound smallmouth bass. he was using a Rat-L-Trap and fishing in 15 feet of water.
• Caballo Lake: May 11, Nathaniel Wysocki of El Paso caught a 6.02-pound walleye. he was trolling a white curly tail grub/spinner combination. his dad Steven caught a 5.7-pound walleye. he was casting a red craw colored Rat-L-Trap from the bank.
• Rio Grande: May 11, Justin Spence of Montana and Argentina caught a 40-inch northern pike. he was using a chartreuse pike fly.

If you have a catch of the week story or just want to tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing

experience, send it to us at fishforfun2@hotmail.com. we may include your story in our next report.

For catches of the week, include name, date, and location, type of fish, length and weight if possible and bait, lure or fly used.

May 15 

Cabresto Lake: The lake and campground closed may 14 and will stay closed for about six months while the dam is being rebuilt.

Charette Lakes: Fishing was very good using Power Bait and small wet flies for limits of trout. Fishing was fair using worms and Power Bait for perch.

Cimarron River: Hot spot for trout: Fishing was very good using BWOs, parachute adams, bead head pheasant tails, Cimarron worms and bead head red San Juan worms. A few fish were also taken on night crawlers and small spinners.  Water flow below Eagle Nest Lake as of Monday was 34 cfs.

Clayton Lake: Trout fishing was fair to good using homemade dough baits and Power Bait. we had no reports on other species. Due to low water conditions, only small boats, kayaks and canoes can be launched.

Conchas Lake: Fishing was good using crank baits, jerk baits, bottom bouncer/night crawler rigs, grubs, minnows and sassy shad for walleye. The best reports came from anglers fishing the south side of the lake at night. Fishing for white bass was good using crank baits, grubs and spinners. Fishing for crappie was good using minnows and small crappie jigs.  Fishing for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass was fair using tubes, creature baits, spinner baits, senkos and crank baits. Andrew Orlicky caught two good size walleye and four largemouth bass while using olive colored tubes. his big bass was 3.6 pounds. Fishing was fair using stink baits and chicken liver for catfish. The surface water temp was in the low to mid 60s.

Coyote Creek: Trout fishing was good using Power Bait, worms, salmon eggs and copper John Barrs.

Eagle Nest Lake: Hot spot for perch: Anglers are reporting catching limits of perch. they are using a variety of baits including night crawlers, Power Bait, salmon eggs, worms and small jigs. Fishing for rainbow trout was good using spinners, Pistol Petes, Z Rays, Power Bait, salmon eggs and corn. Fishing was good using Rapalas, Kastmasters and swim baits for northern pike. Fishing was fair trolling spinners for kokanee.

Gallinas River: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Hopewell Lake: This lake was recently stocked but we had no reports from anglers this week.

Lake Maloya: Hot spot for trout: Fishing was very good using an assortment of flies, Pistol Petes, spinners, Power Bait, worms, homemade dough baits and salmon eggs for trout up to 16 inches.

Maxwell Lake 13: Fishing was very good using Power Bait, salmon eggs and spinners for limits of trout between 18 and 24 inches. we had no reports on other species.

Monastery Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Morphy Lake: Fishing was good using Pistol Petes, Power Bait, salmon eggs and homemade dough bait for trout.

Pecos River: Water flow near the town of Pecos on Monday was 236 cfs. Trout fishing through here and in the Villanueva area was slow to fair using worms and tungsten bead nymphs.

Red River: Water flow below the hatchery was 132 cfs. Fishing was fair using copper John Barrs and worms for trout.

Rio Grande: The water flow Monday at the Taos Junction Bridge was 458 cfs. Fishing for smallmouth bass was very good using big tan streamers and wooly buggers. Fishing for trout was good using red copper John Barrs, poundmeisters and wooly buggers. A few were also taken on Power Bait, salmon eggs and spinners. Fishing for northern pike was fair using large streamers and pike flies.

Rio Pueblo:  Water flow was a bit high but the water was clear. Trout fishing was fair to good using tungsten bead hares ears and copper John Barrs.

Shuree Ponds: Closed for the season. Opens July 1.

Springer Lakes: Fishing was fair to good using cut bait and crank baits for northern pike up to 27 inches. we had no reports on other species. with the water release for irrigation, it has become difficult to launch boats.

Storrie Lake: Hot spot for trout: Fishing was very good using Power Bait and cheese for trout up to 17 inches. we had no reports on other species. The best reports came from anglers fishing the early morning hours.

Ute Lake: Walleye fishing was good trolling crank baits along the edge of brush lines in 12-to-16 feet of water. some were also taken on bottom bouncer/night crawler rigs and minnows. Fishing was good using minnows and small crappie jigs. Fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass was fair using jigs, tubes, power worms, creature baits, grubs and crank baits in shallow water. Fishing for white bass was slow. Fishing for catfish was fair using shrimp, stink baits and chicken liver. The surface water temp on the main lake was in the low to mid 60s.

Abiquiu Lake: Fishing was fair using jerk baits, tubes, crank baits, creature baits and minnows for smallmouth bass. Fishing was slow to fair using minnows, bottom bouncer/night crawler rigs, grubs and crank baits for walleye. Fishing was fair using crank baits, spinners, salmon eggs and Power Bait for trout. we had no reports on other species.

Animas River:  As of Monday morning flow near Cedar Hill was 1,290 cfs. Trout fishing was slow.

Bluewater Lake: Fishing for tiger musky was good using crank baits, Kastmasters, spinners, tubes and Power Bait. Anglers are reminded that the size limit for tiger musky is 40 inches. Short fish must be returned and only one over 40 inches may be kept. Had reports of three tigers over 45 inches this past week but have been unable to verify. we will pass along details when we get them. Trout fishing was slow to fair using Power Bait, salmon eggs and spinners. The surface water temp ranged from the mid 50s to the low 60s.

Canjilon Lakes: The lakes were recently stocked but we had no reports from anglers this week.

Chama River: Monday morning water flows below El Vado and Abiquiu were 462 cfs and 583 cfs respectively. Trout fishing below El Vado was fair using silver and gold Panther Martins, Power Bait and salmon eggs. we had no reports from below Abiquiu.

Cochiti Lake: Fishing was good using spinners, tubes, craws, jerk baits and senkos for smallmouth bass. Fishing for northern pike was slow to fair using jerk baits, buzz baits and spinners. Fishing for catfish was fair using chicken liver. we had no reports on other species.

El Vado Lake: we had no reports from anglers this week.

Fenton Lake: Fishing was good using worms, Power Bait, Panther Martins, homemade dough baits, bead head nymphs and olive Pistol Petes for trout.

Heron Lake: Fishing was slow for all species. A few kokanee and rainbows were caught by anglers trolling Panther Martins and Arnies spinners. A few trout were caught by anglers fishing from the bank and using Power Bait. we had no reports on lake trout.

Jackson Lake: we had no reports from anglers this week.

Jemez Waters: Water flow on the Jemez as of Monday morning was 45 cfs. Trout fishing over the past weekend was good using worms, Power Bait and Panther Martins. on the Cebolla, fishing was good using worms. on the Rio Las Vacas, fishing was fair using hoppers, copper John Barrs and worms.

Laguna del Campo: Opened for the season on may 1. Trout fishing was fair using Power Bait, salmon eggs and spinners. This is a special trout water open to anglers age 14 years or under, 65 years and older, handicapped anglers or up to 2 parents/guardians in direct supervision of a child or children age 14 years or younger who is fishing. This water was formerly known as Burn’s Canyon Lake.

Lake Farmington: Trout fishing was slow to fair using Power Bait. we had no reports on other species.

Manzano Lake: Trout fishing was slow.

McGaffey Lake: we had no reports from anglers this week.

Navajo Lake: Fishing was fair using chatter baits, tubes, senkos, jigs, smallie beavers and clausers for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Fishing was good using small jigs and minnows in the backs of coves for crappie. Fishing for northern pike was slow to fair using crank baits, swim baits, jerk baits and spinner baits. Fishing was fair using worms for bluegill. we had no reports on other species. Surface temps ranged from 58 degrees to 64 degrees.

Ramah Lake: we had no reports from anglers this week.

San Juan: Water flow below Navajo Lake as of Monday morning was 504 cfs. The latest word we have on the flow increase is that it will now start on may 21. That gives us another week to get up there for some great fishing. Trout fishing through the Quality Waters was very good using small flashback pheasant tails, gray foam wing emergers, small streamers, fluffy baetis, dead chickens, Chernobyl ants and hoppers. through the bait waters, fishing was good using spinners, night crawlers, jerk baits, worms, wooly buggers and Power Bait. Back on may 6, Jayden Shaw, age 10 of Aztec caught a nice 14-inch brown while using an orange and gold spinner. Also, Hannah Deenihan of Aztec caught a nice fat 18-inch rainbow. she was using a nightcrawler.

Santa Cruz Lake: Trout fishing was fair using Power Bait, spinners, small crank baits, Pistol Petes, salmon eggs and corn.

Seven Springs Brood Pond: This water is open to fishing for youth under the age of 12 and

an excellent place to take youngsters and get them interested in fishing. The pond is well

stocked to offer youngsters a great fishing experience

Tingley Beach: Trout fishing at the Central Ponds was slow with just a few fish taken on homemade dough bait, Power Bait and spinners. A few bluegills were caught by anglers using worms. we had no reports on other species.  Fishing at the Catch-and-Release Pond was slow.

Bear Canyon: Fishing was slow for all species.

Bill Evans Lake: Fishing was slow to fair using swim baits and tubes for largemouth bass.  Fishing was fair using worms and Power Bait for trout. we had no reports on other species.

Caballo Lake: Fishing was good from boats and from the bank for white bass and walleye. Anglers having the best luck were trolling white Bombers, white grub/spinner combinations, red and white spoons and casting red Rat-L-Traps, white Bombers, flicker shad, red and white spoons and jerk baits. Fishing for crappie was good using minnows, small jigs and spinners. A few were also taken on crank baits. Fishing for catfish was slow. Surface water temps ranged from the low to high 60s.

Elephant Butte: Fishing was good using tubes, small craws, senkos, crank baits, creature baits and smallie beavers for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Most of the bass caught were under the 14-inch size limit. Fishing was good using minnows, sassy shad, white Bombers, grubs, jigs and spinners for white bass. Fishing was fair to good using minnows, small tubes and jigs for crappie. Good crappie reports were received by anglers fishing the tire barrier at Rock Canyon and in McRae Canyon. A few walleye were taken by anglers using crank baits and fishing the Black Bluff area. Fishing was fair using chicken liver and stink baits for catfish. we had no reports on other species. Surface temps on the main lake ranged from 62 to 65 degrees.

Escondida Lake: Fishing was slow for all species.

Gila River: Water flow on the Gila as of this past Monday was 47 cfs. Fishing on the Forks was fair-to-good using bead head hares ears, brassies, prince nymphs, copper John Barrs and worms.

Glenwood Pond: Trout fishing was good using Power Bait.

Lake Roberts: Bank fishing for trout was good using Power Bait and salmon eggs. we had no reports from boaters.

Quemado Lake: Fishing was fair using Pistol Petes, Power Bait and spinners for trout. Fishing was fair using large streamers, Rapalas and swim baits for tiger musky.

Rio Grande: Water flow below Elephant Butte on Monday was 30 cfs. Fishing was slow for all species.

Snow Lake: we had no reports from anglers this week.

Bataan Lake: Fishing was slow for all species.

Bonito Lake: Trout fishing was fair to good using Pistol Petes, salmon eggs, Power Bait and corn.

Bosque Redondo: Trout fishing was slow to fair using worms, salmon egg/corn combinations and Power Bait. Fishing for bass was slow but there were a few taken by anglers using crank baits.

Bottomless Lakes: we had no reports from anglers this week.

Brantley Lake: Anglers are to practice catch-and-release for all fish here as high levels of DDT were found in several fish.

Carlsbad Municipal Lake: we had no reports from anglers this week.

Grindstone Reservoir: Fishing for trout was fair to good using Power Bait, Pistol Petes and salmon egg/corn combinations.

Jal Lake: we had no reports from anglers this week.

Lake Van: Fishing was slow for all species.

Oasis Park Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week.

Pecos River: Water flow on Monday below Sumner Lake was 130 cfs. Fishing was slow for all species.

Perch Lake: Trout fishing was slow.

Ruidoso River: Water flow at Hollywood on Monday was 9.5 cfs. Trout fishing was slow to fair using salmon eggs.

Santa Rosa Lake: Fishing during the week was fair using minnows and jigs for crappie. Fishing for walleye was slow but a few were taken on crank baits and grubs. Surface water temp was in the high 50s to low 60s. Bad weather over the weekend slowed all fishing activity.

Sumner Lake: Fishing was fair using crank baits, tubes, spinners and jigs for smallmouth bass and spotted bass. Fishing was good using green and brown tubes, crank baits, jigs and sassy shad for white bass. Fishing was fair using crank baits, minnows, sassy shad, tubes and grubs for walleye. Fishing was fair using minnows and jigs for crappie. we had no reports on other species. The surface water temp ranged from the high 50s to the mid 60s. The only boat ramp accessible at this time is the east side ramp.