Elephant Butte Lake: Andrew Luna, Bryant Michael Tafoya, Rodney Morton and Nathan Jones caught an abundance of white bass while trolling diving Rapala crankbaits on March 22. "The fishing was non-stop action," Andrew said. "This day, we weren't fishermen — we were catchermen!"
Elephant Butte Lake: Aaron Brewer caught this largemouth bass using a creature bait on March 22.
Elephant Butte Lake: Gene España of Las Cruces caught and released many bass using soft plastics on March 21.
Elephant Butte Lake: Brandon Hawkins of Las Cruces caught and released many bass using soft plastics on March 21.
Escondida Lake: Gabriel Gutierrez caught a bass using a chatterbait on March 17. "Slow day, then this monster hit," he said. "Thankfully, I changed my line the night before from 4-pound to 8-pound line."
Quemado Lake: Ruben Chavira's grandson, Eli Chavira, caught an 18-inch, 4-pound rainbow trout, while his great-grandson, Xavier Hobbs, reeled in his first trout — a 14-inch, 1½-pound rainbow — using Green Garlic PowerBait on March 21.
SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT
Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing conditions have been adversely affected in the aftermath of the Trout Fire.
Bill Evans Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using Green and Orange PowerBait and yellow salmon eggs.
Elephant Butte Lake: Fishing for bass was very good when using soft plastics and creature baits and trolling diving Rapala crankbaits. The South Monticello boat ramp is currently closed due to low water levels. The closure will be lifted when water levels rise and conditions allow.
Escondida Lake: Fishing for bass was good when using chatterbaits.
Gila River: Streamflow near Gila Wednesday morning was 62.6 cfs.
Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs Wednesday morning was 66.2 cfs.
Lake Roberts: Fishing for trout was slow to fair when using PowerBait and good when using rooster tail spinners from a kayak.
Quemado Lake: Fishing for trout was very good when using Green Garlic PowerBait.
Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Dam on Wednesday morning was 0.13 cfs.
We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Caballo Lake, Glenwood Pond, Percha Dam, Rancho Grande Ponds, Snow Lake, Trees Lake and Young Pond.
