JemezCentral Up to Date Fishing Report

March 20, 2019

 

Spring is beginning to manifest itself in the Jemez. Stocking by NMDGF has expanded and ice and snow have begun to melt. Fishing in the Jemez Mountains is going to be pretty tough for a week or two with the lake being off limits and most rivers in full runoff mode. Your best bet right now is the Rio Cebolla, both above and below the lake, and the Kid’s Pond at the Hatchery. 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 March 13, 2019…Rating…(Recently Stocked…Best to Wait a Week or Two)

The Jemez River continues to be stocked by NMDGF, but fishing is very tough right now due high and muddy conditions. Best to wait a week or two for the stream to settle down. The river is stocked from Battleship Rock on south to the Gilman turnoff throughout the spring and early summer months.

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

 

 The Jemez River was stocked on Tuesday March 5th with 1000 Rainbow Trout and most recently on Wednesday, March 13th with 1000 Rainbows.

 

 

 

 

                  

East Fork Jemez River

Fishing Report March 13, 2019…(Rating…Give It a Shot) .

 Icy conditions still exist on most of the East Fork making for difficult fishing. Spring runoff is in full form adding volume and color to this wild little river. Your best bet maybe to wait a month or so when conditions improve. Bring a box of worms (BTW, Amanda’s stocks fresh worms throughout the year) or any nymph pattern should bring some action.
 

 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 March 5, 2019…(Rating…Worth a Try)

The ice is breaking up and fishing should be good for hold over stockers and resident browns. However, a robust spring runoff  will be upon us soon making for difficult fishing due to high and muddy conditions.

The stocking truck should be making an appearance the beginning of April.

 

 

Fenton Lake

Fishing Update March 20, 2019…(Rating…Still Covered With Ice)

 Ice fishing has been suspended effective Thursday, March 7th because of unsafe ice conditions. Very little open water will restrict fishing at the lake for a week or two as the ice continues to break up. We will keep you posted. Spring ice off can be a wonderful time to fish Fenton.

Fenton Lake was stocked on Tuesday, March 5th with 1200 Rainbows and most recently on Wednesday, March 20th with 2200 Rainbow Trout. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Rio Guadalupe

Fishing Update March 5, 2019….(Wait a Month Or…Two) 

 FR 376 will remain closed until the middle of April greatly limiting access to Rio Guadalupe. Because of the deep canyons that define this river and because of the restricted sunlight, ice will remain into the spring restricting fishing opportunities. Look for a heavy spring runoff this year further limiting fishing this wonderful river.

 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 March 5, 2019( Rating…Not Yet)  

What should be a heavy spring runoff will revive this wonderful river. It will be interesting to see how many fish survived the extreme low water conditions of the summer of 2018. The stocking truck should make its first appearance in April.

 
    The Rio de Las Vacas  was last stocked during the spring of 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Cebolla

Fishing Update March 13, 2019 (Recently Stocked)  Ice is beginning to give way to open water. In addition, the river received its first stocking of the season on the 5th of March. Over the weekend, Ryan from Santa Fe fished the beaver ponds below the lake and limited out on holdover rainbows and one resident brown. Ryan was fishing with worms and salmon eggs.
 Rio Cebolla was stocked on Tuesday, March 5th with 250 Rainbow Trout and most recently on Wednesday, March 13th with 250 rainbows.
  

 

  

 

 

 

 

San Gregorio Lake

Fishing Update March 5, 2019…(Rating….Wait Till June )

This high altitude, wilderness lake is accessed by a beautiful one mile hike. The trail to the lake is covered with a couple feet of snow and will be through April limiting access. Best to wait till May or June if you are looking for fishing opportunities.

San Gregorio will be stocked again this spring…probably in June.

 

 

 

 

 

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).