JemezCentral Up to Date Fishing Report

July 29, 2020
   

 The Santa Fe National Forest is open to the public, so there are plenty of fishing opportunities, although, Fenton Lake has yet to reopen to the public after closure in March due to COVID-19 concerns. Stocking operations are very limited because of warm and low water conditions. Quite frankly…fishing is not very good right now unless you 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 July 1, 2020…Rating…(Slow)

The Jemez River has slowed as fishing pressure has reduced the amount of stocked fish in the river. Because of low and warm conditions, stocking on the Jemez has been put on hold. A few fish are being caught for those willing to work the river.

 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 July 1, 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 July 1, 2020…(Rating…Best For Browns Away From the Road)

Fishing has slowed on Rio San Antonio as most of the stockers have been taken out. Warm water conditions prevent further stocking for the time being. 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 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 July 1, 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 July 1, 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 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 has not been stocked since last year .
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Cebolla

Fishing Update July 29, 2020 (Recently Stocked).

This little river is your best bets 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, July 22nd with 300 Rainbow Trout and most recently on Wednesday, July 29th with 300 Rainbow Trout.

   

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

San Gregorio Lake

Fishing Update April 21, 2020…(Rating….Fishing Has Slowed)

This high altitude, wilderness lake is accessed by a beautiful one mile hike. Recently 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, 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).