04-30-08: 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 for anglers using crank baits, minnows, spinner/night crawler rigs, grubs, jigs and crank baits for walleye. Most of the walleye caught were in the 15-to-18 inch range. Fishing was very good using minnows, tubes and small jigs for crappie.
Fishing was fait-to-good using crank baits, jigs, spoons and minnows for white bass. Fishing for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass was fair-to good for anglers using crank baits, tubes, jigs, jerk baits, chatter baits and spinner baits. Most of the bass were in less than 12 feet of water.

Ute Lake
Fishing this past week was rated good-to-excellent by anglers fishing for crappie, walleye, white bass, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Anglers reported good catches while fishing up the Canadian and Ute Creek arms.  Best baits for walleye, white bass and crappie were minnows, jugs, grubs, tubes and crank baits.  Anglers fishing for walleye also reported catching several fish while using bottom bouncer/night crawler rigs and spoons. Anglers fishing for black bass did best with jigs, tubes, crank baits and spinner baits.

Catches of the week
Ute Lake:
On April 26, Donny McWhorter of Dalhart, Texas caught an 8.2 pound largemouth bass. He was using a jug.
 On April 27, Tim Hollis of Amarillo, Texas caught a 6.4 pound largemouth bass. He was using a jig.
On April 27, Lee Thomas of Grady caught a 7 pound walleye. Bait: live minnow.
Conchas Lake:
On April 26, Shaun Gill of Clovis caught a 7 pound 14 ounce largemouth bass. He was fishing for walleye using a jig.

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.