JemezCentral Up to Date Fishing Report

September 13, 2018

 

This is a very unique year in the Jemez as there is no snow pack and no spring run-off. As summer progresses and waters warm, NMDGF will slow stocking operations to a crawl. 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 13, 2018…Rating…(Recently Stocked)

The Jemez River is back in the stocking rotation and will be stocked consistently throughout the fall and winter months. The monsoon rains have ceased, so water conditions should be perfect for the duration of the year.

 Salmon eggs, worms and meal worms can be very effective for the stockers and the occasional resident brown. Any surface terrestrial pattern should bring action for the fly fisher.

 

 The Jemez River was stocked on Wednesday, September 5th with 500 Rainbow Trout and most recently on Thursday, September 13th with 500 Rainbows.

 

 

 

 

                  

East Fork Jemez River

Fishing Report August 24, 2018….(Rating…Fair) .

Low and warm water conditions have slowed fishing on this remote off the road river. I have heard good reports of some success from fly fishers on the far upper reaches of the East Fork toward the Caldera boundary.

 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 13, 2018…(Rating…Good)

Rio San Antonio is back in the stocking rotation with great water conditions. NMDGF will stock the river from the La Cueva Picnic Area upstream to San Antonio Campground until ice starts to form in late October. That section of the river below the picnic area and above the campground has been fishing very well for resident browns. Most any surface fly place on the water should bring action.  For the sake of the brown trout population, I would encourage returning all fish to the river.
 Rio San Antonio was stocked on Thursday, August 30th with 250 Rainbow Trout and most recently on Thursday, September 13th with 750 Rainbows.

 

 

Fenton Lake

Fishing Update September 13, 2018…(Rating… Recently Stocked)

 The lake has been stocked with 5545  fish over the last three week period. Fishing really picked up this past weekend with most anglers catching fish. Come on up and give it a try because there is lots of fish to be caught. Worms and nightcrawlers continue to be the most consistent bait. Garlic scented power bait has also been very effective. For the fly fisher, Prince Nymphs and dark colored Wooley Buggers are a good bet. Be sure to stop in to Amanda’s for some hot coffee and fresh bait. 

 Fenton Lake was stocked on Wednesday, September 5th with 1370 Rainbows and most recently on Thursday, September 13th with

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Rio Guadalupe

Fishing Update September 11, 2018….(Rating…FR376 Reopened) 

As of Monday, September 10, 2018 FR 376 and access to Rio Guadalupe has been reopened. Fall is a great time to fish for the spawning brown trout. Combine that with the fact that this river has not been fished since June 1st, this is a great opportunity for some fine wild brown trout fishing. Terrestrial patterns, and large streamers should be effective. Large flashy spinners should also be good for the spawning, territorial browns.

 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 24, 2018 ( Rating…Nope)  The water is very low and the surviving  fish are pooled up in whatever water is available. We are probably looking at a significant fish kill this summer. There was no spring run-off this year. The headwaters within the San Pedro Parks Wilderness may be worth a try.

 
    The Rio de Las Vacas  was stocked on Tuesday March 27th with 750 Rainbow trout.

 

 

 

 

Rio Cebolla

Fishing Update September 5, 2018 (Recently Stocked)  Rio Cebolla is being stocked both above and below Fenton Lake.  Fishing should be excellent on this small Jemez Mountain creek. Salmon eggs and small spinners are a good choice for the stocked rainbows. A quiet hike upstream from the hatchery will reward you with some fine fishing for small resident browns and Rio Grande Cutthroats that reside in the upper reaches of Rio Cebolla. Silver bladed Panther Martins and any fly placed quietly on the water will bring action from these hungry resident fish.

Rio Cebolla was stocked on Friday, August 30th with 600 Rainbows and most recently on Wednesday, September 5th with 400 Rainbow Trout.

 

  

 

 

San Gregorio Lake

Fishing Update August 24, 2018….(Rating….Good) This high altitude, wilderness lake is accessed by a beautiful one mile hike. Because of the lack of snowpack in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness this past winter, the hatchery truck made an early appearance this year. In addition to the recently stocked fish, I have had multiple reports of some larger holdover rainbows being caught prior to the closure. San Gregorio has been fished quite a bit since July 9th when the forest was reopened but I am still receiving good reports. Have fun and enjoy a true New Mexico wilderness experience.

San Gregorio was stocked on May 18, 2018 with 6000 catchable sized 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, 2018 through March 31, 2019. 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).