05-14-08: Fishing Report

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.

Conchas Lake
Fishing was good using night crawlers from the bank for catfish. Most of the cats were in the 2 pound class. Fishing was good using tubes and power worms for smallmouth and largemouth bass. A few were also taken by anglers using spinner baits, crank baits and jerk baits. Most of the action was on the north side of the lake. Fishing was fair-to-good using minnows, crank baits and grubs for walleye. The best reports again this week came from anglers fishing around Big Island. Fishing was fair-to-good using minnows, tubes and grubs for crappie. Fishing was fair using crank baits, grubs and minnows for white bass. We had no reports on other species.

Ute Lake
 Crappie fishing continued to be quite good this past week for anglers using minnows, worms, small tubes and grubs. Most of the crappie were taken in less than 10 feet of water. Fishing was fair trolling crank baits over 25-to-30 feet of water for suspended walleye. A few walleye were also taken by anglers using minnows, grubs and tubes. Fishing was fair-to-good using jerk baits, tubes, spinner baits, jigs and crank baits for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Fishing was good using cut bait, dough bait, night crawlers and liver for catfish. Anglers reported catching most of the cats in 3-to-4 feet of water. Fishing was fair trolling crank baits and using white and chartreuse grubs for white bass.

Catches of the week

Conchas Lake
On May 3 and 4, Robert Bulcock of Albuquerque took his grandson, Marco Galvin, on his first fishing trip. Marco caught 16 bass. Robert caught two 6-pound largemouth bass and one 3.5-pound smallmouth bass. All of the bass were caught on tubes and power worms and all were released alive.

If you have a catch of the week story or just want to tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing experience, send it to us at fishforfun2@hotmail.com. We may include your story in our next report. For catches of the week include name, date, location, type of fish, length and bait used.

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