This fishing report has been generated from the best information available from officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, however, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.

Free fishing day
Saturday is free fishing day in New Mexico. On this special day, anglers don’t need a license, stamp or validation to fish in public waters statewide. All other fishing rules apply.

Conchas Lake
Fishing for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass was quite good again this past week. Anglers did well using tubes, senkos, jigs, crank baits, jerk baits, grubs, spinner baits and top water lures. Most of the bass activity was reported by anglers fishing on the north side of the lake. Fishing for crappie was fair-to-good for anglers using minnows, tubes, grubs and jigs. Walleye fishing was good for anglers using white, pumpkin and watermelon grubs, jigs and tubes. There were also several taken on chrome, fire tiger and orange belly crank baits. Fishing for catfish was good using liver, shrimp and night crawlers. Fishing for bluegill was good using worms. We had no reports on other species.

Ute Lake
 Fishing for catfish was very good this past week for anglers fishing at night and using night crawlers, liver and shrimp. Fishing for crappie was good using minnows, jigs and small tubes. Fishing was good trolling bottom bouncer/night crawler rigs and crank baits across main lake points and flats for walleye. Fishing was good trolling crank baits for white bass. Fishing for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass was good using jigs, spinner baits, crank baits jerk baits and top water lures. Fishing was good using worms and small jigs for bluegill.

Catches of the week
Conchas Lake: On May 30, Franco Vallejos of Albuquerque caught a 4.8-pound largemouth bass. He was using a green pumpkin tube and fishing brush in about 10 feet of water. On May 31, Rick Hipp of Albuquerque caught two 4-pound walleyes. He was using tubes and fishing in about 10 feet of water.
 If you have a catch of the week story, send it to us at fishforfun2@hotmail.com. Include date, location, type of fish, length and bait used to catch the fish.

This report was compiled by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.