JemezCentral Up to Date Fishing Report

March 20, 2020
   

We are on the verge of spring as ice has begun to melt on the rivers and open up for fishing opportunities. There has been some run off on the Jemez River, lower Rio San Antonio and East Fork. Fenton Lake is closed to the public due to COVID-19 concerns effective Monday, March 16th. 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 20, 2020…Rating…(Recently Stocked and Fishing Well)

The Jemez river will continue to be stocked throughout the spring and early summer. The river is stocked from Battleship Rock on south to the Gilman turnoff. Because of cooler weather, run-off on the Jemez has subsided some and the river is very fishable.

 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 sub-surface dark colored nymph pattern should bring action for the fly fisher.

The Jemez River was stocked on Tuesday, March 4th with 1000 Rainbows and most recently on Wednesday, March 18th with 1682 Rainbow Trout.

 

 

 

 

                  

East Fork Jemez River

Fishing Report December 3, 2019…(Rating…Wait Till Spring) .

 The river is covered with ice and snow, making fishing difficult to impossible. The extreme lower portion upstream from Battleship Rock may have some open water because of nearby warm springs and might be worth a try.
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 December 3, 2019…(Rating…Fishable on the Lower Sections)

The ice on Rio San Antonio has broken up on the lower section and is fishable. A few browns and holdover stockers are being caught. Worms and meal worms are a great bet this time of year.

Rio San Antonio was stocked most recently on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 with 750 Rainbows. The hatchery truck will make its first appearance of this season in April.

 

 

 

 

Fenton Lake

Fishing Update March 15, 2020…(Rating…Closed to the Public for all Activities)

 Fenton Lake is now closed to the public due to concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic by order of the governor.

 

Fenton Lake was stocked on Tuesday, February 18th with 500 Rainbows and most recently on Tuesday, March 3rd with 500 Rainbow Trout ( through the ice).

 

 

 

 

 

 Rio Guadalupe

Fishing Update December 3, 2019….(Wait Till Spring) 

 Snowy, icy conditions is making fishing difficult to impossible. FR 376 will be totally closed on January 2, 2020 preventing access to the 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 December 3, 2019( Rating…Wait Till Spring)  

Winter conditions exist, making for difficult to impossible fishing.

 
 The Rio de Las Vacas was stocked on Wednesday, April 17th with 998 Rainbow Trout and most recently on Friday, May 24th with 1000 Rainbows .
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Cebolla

Fishing Update March 20, 2020 (Recently Stocked and Fishable.

Ice has broken up on this little river and is fishable and recently stocked right above the lake. Worms, meal worms and salmon eggs will catch the stockers. 

 Rio Cebolla was stocked on Tuesday March 3, 2020 with 250 rainbows and most recently on Wednesday, March 18th with 250 Rainbow Trout.

   

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

San Gregorio Lake

Fishing Update December 3, 2019…(Rating….Ice)

This high altitude, wilderness lake is accessed by a beautiful one mile hike. The lake and trail are covered with ice and snow making access and fishing difficult to impossible. As winter progresses, ice fishing may become an option for those willing to ski or snowshoe in.

San Gregorio was stocked on Wednesday, June 28th with 3900 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).