JemezCentral Up to Date Fishing Report

January 21, 2021
   

 Most streams are icy making for difficult to impossible fishing. The lower Jemez River is normally ice free and offers a great winter time fishing opportunity. Ice fishing at Fenton is in full swing effective Saturday, January 2nd. 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 January 21, 2020…Rating…(Recently Stocked) This river is probably your best and only opportunity to fish in the Jemez right now. Fishing for the recently stocked rainbows and the occasional resident brown should be good  throughout the winter months. NMDGF will continue to stock this river making it a wonderful winter time fishery.

 Salmon eggs, worms and meal worms can be very effective for the stockers and the resident browns. Spinners are a good bet this time of year (gold or brass blades are recommended).  Hare’s Ear, Brassies and Copper Johns should bring action for the fly fisher.

The Jemez River was stocked  on Wednesday, December 2nd with 1000 Rainbows, on Tuesday December 29th with 1000 Rainbow Trout and most recently on Thursday, January 21st with 1000 Rainbows.

 

 

 

 

                  

East Fork Jemez River

Fishing Report December 11, 2020…(Rating…Icy) .

 The river is very icy making fishing difficult to impossible. The only exception is the very lowest section just above Battleship Rock. This part of the river generally remains ice free and offers some good wintertime brown trout fishing.
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 11, 2020…(Rating…Icy)

There is not a lot of open water on Rio San Antonio as ice has formed making for difficult fishing. Best to wait till spring.

Rio San Antonio was stocked most recently on Wednesday, September 23rd with 750 Rainbow Trout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fenton Lake

Fishing Update January 21, 2021(Open for Ice Fishing, Recently Stocked)

 Fenton Lake  State Park is open for day use from 7am to 4pm and is open for ice fishing effective Saturday, January 2, 2021. The lake has been stocked and fishing is  fabulous. Amanda’s has a full stock of ice fishing bait and tackle…including ice augers. Meal worms and jigging Kastmasters has been most effective according to reports.

 

Fenton Lake was stocked on Tuesday, January 5th with 500 Rainbows and most recently on Thursday, January 21st with 500 Rainbow Trout.

 

 

 

 

 

 Rio Guadalupe

Fishing Update December 11, 2020….(Icy Conditions) 

 FR 376 will remain open through January 2, 2021 providing access. However, ice has formed throughout the length of Rio Guadalupe making for difficult to impossible fishing. Best to wait till spring. 

 

 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 11, 2020( Rating…Wait Till Spring)  

It has not been a good year fishing Rio de Las Vacas with very low water conditions throughout the summer and now abundant snow and ice. Let’s hope for better water conditions next year.

 
 The Rio de Las Vacas has not been stocked since 2019.
 

 

 

 

 Rio Cebolla

Fishing Update December 11, 2020 (Fair).

This little river has some open water right now providing for some fishing opportunity. Try right above the lake or within the state park below Fenton. The cold water conditions make for lethargic fish so, your best bet would be bait. Worms or salmon eggs place at the nose of the trout should provide some action.

 Rio Cebolla was stocked on Wednesday, September 23rd with 400 Rainbow Trout and most recently on Wednesday, October 7th with 400 Rainbows.

   

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

San Gregorio Lake

Fishing Update December 11, 2020…(Rating….Wait Till Spring)

This high altitude, wilderness lake is accessed by a beautiful one mile hike. Access is limited now because of winter time conditions. The lake is ice covered but not safe.

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, 2020 through March 31, 2021. 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).