JemezCentral Up to Date Fishing Report

September 24, 2020

Special Alert…this Saturday, September 26, 2020 is National Hunting and Fishing Day and free fishing day in the State of New Mexico. No fishing license is required by residents and non-residents alike to fish public waters in New Mexico. All other rules and regulations apply. If you don’t wish to fight the crowds at Fenton Lake…most streams have been recently stocked and should provide for great fish catching opportunities.
   

 There are plenty of fishing opportunities in the Jemez right now. Fenton Lake is now open for public use on a limited basis effective September 11th at 7am. Fishing will improve as NMDGF continues to expand stocking operations. And… you can always get off the beaten path and fish for the resident browns. You can find information about specific Jemez area waters below. Also if you have  info to add, please send to: fishingreport@jemezcentral.com. All photos in this report are of summer time conditions unless otherwise noted.

 

Jemez River

Fishing Report September 23, 2020…Rating…(Recently Stocked) The Jemez River is once again part of the stocking rotation as water temperatures have cooled. Fishing for the recently stocked rainbows and the occasional resident brown should be fabulous now and throughout the fall and winter months.

 Salmon eggs, worms and meal worms can be very effective for the stockers and the occasional resident brown. Spinners are a good bet this time of year (gold or brass blades are recommended).  Any terrestrial pattern   should bring action for the fly fisher.

The Jemez River was stocked on Wednesday, September 9th with 1000 Rainbows, Wednesday, September 16th with 750 Rainbow Trout and most recently on Wednesday, September 23rd with 300 Rainbows.

 

 

 

 

                  

East Fork Jemez River

Fishing Report August 28, 2020…(Rating…Good For Resident Browns) .

 The river volume is very low right now but fish are being caught. There are plenty of places to access this ‘away from the road’ river. The beautiful setting is a real bonus.
Just a reminder that the East Fork is now being managed as a Brown Trout fishery and is no longer being stocked with Rainbows. The brown trout population has come back after the burn scar flooding of a couple years ago. Please, because of the delicate nature of this population of browns, I would encourage a strict catch and release practice.

 

 

San Antonio

 

Fishing Report September 23, 2020…(Rating…Recently Stocked)

Surprisingly, the cooler water temperature has allowed for stocking to resume in the Rio San Antonio. So…fishing should be fast and furious for the next week or two. Please, keep only your limit of five fish. Save some for others and the kiddos. Also, there is a great opportunity to fish the brown trout fishery above Hwy 126. Worms and meal worms are a great bet this time of year and most any fly properly placed on the water.

Rio San Antonio was stocked on August 26th with 750  Rainbow Trout, Wednesday, September 9th with 750 Rainbows and most recently on Wednesday, September 23rd with 750 Rainbow Trout.

 

 

 

 

Fenton Lake

Fishing Update September 16, 2020…(Rating…Now Open For Fishing…Recently Stocked)

 Fenton lake is now open for public use effective 8am, Friday, September 11, 2020 on a limited basis. Day use only…no overnight camping. Open Fridays through Mondays 7am-7pm. Only the west and dam side of the lake will be open. Masks will be required. Surprisingly, fishing has been slow at times for many, but should pick up with the recent stocking activity.

 

Fenton Lake was stocked on Wednesday, September 16th with 1000 Rainbows, Monday, September 14th with 640 Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout (11 inchers) and most recently on Wednesday, September 16th with 2200 Rainbow Trout.

 

 

 

 

 

 Rio Guadalupe

Fishing Update August 28, 2020….(Great For Browns) 

The opening of FR 376 on Friday, May 29th provides for excellent access to this wonderful brown trout fishery. The road is now open to through traffic thru Gilman Tunnels all the way north to HWY 126 (as of June 15th). I have had reports of good success using Copper John nymphs. Any fly, spinner, or worms should bring results. The river is in good shape right now.

 

 This gem of a river is being managed as a brown trout fishery so you will not see the stocking truck along this wild river.

 

 

 Rio De Las Vacas

 

Fishing Update August 28, 2020( Rating…Very Low Water Conditions)  

Water volume in the Rio las Vacas is very low and is very difficult to fish. This river has not been stocked for over a year. A few small browns and holdover rainbows are being caught. Hwy 126 is open to thru traffic allowing for access to this river from the east. Let’s hope for better water conditions next year.

 
 The Rio de Las Vacas has not been stocked since last year (2019) .
 

 

 

 

 Rio Cebolla

Fishing Update September 23, 2020 (Recently Stocked).

This little river is your best bet in the Jemez right now for stocked Rainbows as Rio Cebolla maintains cool water conditions favorable for stocking. Fish above the lake on up to the hatchery for the stocked rainbows and above the hatchery for resident browns and native cutthroats. Worms, meal worms and salmon eggs will catch the stockers. 

 Rio Cebolla was stocked on Wednesday, September 9th with 400 Rainbow Trout, Wednesday, September 16th with 400 Rainbows and most recently on Wednesday, September 23rd with 400 Rainbow Trout.

   

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

San Gregorio Lake

Fishing Update August 28, 2020…(Rating….Fishing Has Slowed)

This high altitude, wilderness lake is accessed by a beautiful one mile hike. The water level has been drawn down because of irrigation requirements and this season’s stocked fish have been hit pretty hard and fishing has slowed considerably. Still worth a try. 

San Gregorio was stocked on Tuesday, June 2nd with 5000 Rainbow Trout.

 

 

 

 

 

Fishing The Jemez

Children Are Welcome!

The Jemez is a great place to bring your young children to fish.  They can be successful fishing anywhere in the Jemez, but for those that are 11 yr and younger, the Kid’s Pond at the hatchery is a great place for the youngsters.  Stop in at Amanda’s Jemez Mountain Country Store for any supplies or snacks that you might need. Make sure you take proper precaution with your children around the water.  Early Spring can often bring high water and strong currents, which can be a danger for kids and adults alike.

                         Fenton Lake Catch

Facts about Fishing

The cost of a license for New Mexico residents is $35 for a license that is good for the license year  April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021. Non-resident licenses are $65 for the year. Short-term licenses are the same price for residents and non-residents alike and can be purchased for one day ($22) or five days ($34). Seniors (ages 65-69) and handicapped can purchase an annual license for $18. Juniors (age 12-17) pay $11 for an annual license. Active duty military and military veterans that are NM residents are being offered reduced priced licenses.  Licenses are free for individuals over the age of 70. All necessary habitat stamps and fees are included in the pricing structure notated above.  A second rod validation (optional) is available for $4. Applicants for hunting and fishing licenses are required by law to provide the last four digits of their social security number. Special trout waters are found in the Jemez and are normally well-marked, but it might be a good idea to consult your fishing proclamation for special regulations that may exist.  The website http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us has complete fishing rules and information. Fishing and hunting licenses are available at Amanda’s Jemez Mountain Country Store in La Cueva (575-829-4333).