NM fishing report — June 2

This fishing report, provided by the Department of Game and Fish and thefishphone.com, has been generated from the best information available from area officers, anglers, guides and local businesses. Conditions may vary as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.

Northwest

Animas River — The flow is 2,930 cfs. Fishing is reported as fair for brown and rainbow trout. Recent rains and snowmelt will affect water clarity. Fly anglers are having good success with bead-headed pheasant tails, prince nymphs and copper john’s sizes 14-16. Worms, salmon eggs and Panther Martins are also working.

Chama River — Upper section flow is 1,470 cfs. The river below El Vado, flows at 995 cfs. The upper Chama including the stretch flowing into El Vado is blown out. Flows are near normal and the river is in runoff. The river below El Vado is wadeable still, but do take caution as it’s hard to see the bottom. A staff is good insurance here. Focus on the tailouts and hit the obvious seams. Crane fly larva and egg patterns and a trailing flashy baetis were reported to be the hot flies. Also worms and Panther Martins are taking fish. The stretch below Abiquiu is fishing tough. High dam release has made wading tough.

San Juan River: Upper section — Catch and Release flow is 510 cfs. Good midge hatches continue to come off late mornings and some decent baetis hatches follow it up till about 3 p.m. Olive and grey bodied midge larvae and pupa are still working. Try the usual, chocolate foam wings in No. 22, chocolate Johnny flash, wonder baetis, and small pheasant tails to mimic your baetis. Fish start keying back in on midges once the baetis are done from then until dusk. The Bureau of Reclamation has finalized this year’s scheduled spring peak release from Navajo Reservoir. Reclamation will begin to increase the release on Monday, June 6, at 1 a.m., reaching 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) on Thursday, June 9 at approximately 3 p.m. The release will stay at 5,000 cfs for seven days. On Wednesday, June 15 at approximately 7 a.m., the release will begin to decrease, reaching 500 cfs on Friday, June 17 at approximately 10 p.m., where it will remain until further notice. Lower section - Open waters, fishing is good with nightcrawlers, salmon eggs and the same flies as for the upper section. The river below the quality waters was stocked with 6,300 triploid rainbow trout two weeks ago.

Abiquiu Lake — Fishing is slow with a few small walleye and bass being landed using jigs with minnows. Reports of very little traffic and few boats on the water.

El Vado Lake — Fishing is reported as fair for brown trout in the Chama arm of the lake. Some fish have been caught using Pistol Petes and Panther Martins. The wind has kept most anglers off the main body of the lake.

Heron Lake — Fishing has picked up with large trout up to 20-plus inches on the northwest side of the lake. Anglers are having the best success using Power Bait, worms and salmon eggs. Lake trout are being caught from shore with Panther Martins. Salmon fishing is good to excellent when trolling kokanee killers and wedding rings in 10 to 15 feet of water.

Jackson Lake — Fishing is good for trout. Anglers are having success using Power Bait and any spinner with gold blades.

Lake Farmington — Trout fishing is reported as good for trout using Power Bait, salmon eggs and worms.

Morgan Lake — Bass fishing is reported as slow.

Navajo Lake — Bass fishing is reported good. Anglers are having success using Strike King plastics. Crappie are reported as good back in the coves where warmer water can be found. Best bet is to use jigs, minnows and Gulp baits.