JemezCentral Up to Date Fishing Report

May 30, 2020
   

With little fanfare the runoff in the Jemez is pretty well over. The Santa Fe National Forest is open to the public, so there are plenty of fishing opportunities, although, Fenton Lake is closed to the public due to COVID-19 concerns effective Monday, March 16th. Stocking operations have been resumed effective May 20th. 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 May 30, 2020…Rating…(Recently Stocked)

The Jemez River is probably your best bet to catch some fish right now. The river has been recently stocked but was hit pretty hard over the Memorial Day Weekend making for more challenging fishing. The river is in great shape and fishing access is good as the river and HWY 4 run parallel.

 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 18th with 1682 Rainbows and most recently on Wednesday, May 20th with 1000 Rainbow Trout.

 

 

 

 

                  

East Fork Jemez River

Fishing Report May 30, 2020…(Rating…Excellent for Resident Browns) .

 The river is in great shape right now with regard to volume and color. 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 May 30, 2020…(Rating…Recently Stocked)

This river has been recently stocked but was fished pretty hard over the Memorial Day Weekend making for less than ‘fast and furious’ fishing. There is also a great opportunity to fish the brown trout fishery above Hwy 126. Worms and meal worms are a great bet this time of year.

Rio San Antonio was stocked most recently on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 with 750 Rainbows.

 

 

 

 

Fenton Lake

Fishing Update May 30, 2020…(Rating…Remains Closed to the Public for all Activities)

 While most of New Mexico’s State parks have been opened for day use, Fenton Lake remains closed. No date has been set for its reopening. You may contact the managing agency New Mexico EMNRD http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us with questions and concerns.

 

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 May 30, 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 closed at MM 6 preventing for thru passage south to Gilman and Hwy 4. I have had reports of good success using Copper John nymphs. Any fly, spinner, or worms should bring results. The river is in great 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 April 21, 2020( Rating…Fishable But Slow)  

Rio las Vacas is fishable but is slow as it has not been stocked for almost 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.

 
 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 April 21, 2020 (Fair).

This little river is one of your better bets in the Jemez right now. 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 Tuesday March 3, 2020 with 250 rainbows and most recently on Wednesday, March 18th with 250 Rainbow Trout.

   

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

San Gregorio Lake

Fishing Update April 21, 2020…(Rating….Ice)

This high altitude, wilderness lake is accessed by a beautiful one mile hike. I have had no reports but there is probably still some snow to be negotiated on the trail to the lake. You might find a few holdovers from last summer although this wilderness lake has a history of winterkill.

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).