New Mexico: trout good at Fenton and Monastery lakes as low water closes ramps at Heron and El Vado

Fall trout fishing is the main story in New Mexico's Oct. 22 fishing and stocking report from the New Mexico Department of Wildlife. Fishing was very good at Fenton Lake on Salmon Peach PowerBait and at Monastery Lake on Garlic PowerBait. The Rio Chama was very good on black leeches, and the Rio Grande was fair to good on olive streamers. The San Juan's bait section was fair to good on worms, and Bonito Lake was good on nightcrawlers.

Low water is limiting boaters. Heron Lake's ramps are closed because of extremely low water, and El Vado Lake expects a ramp closure soon. At Elephant Butte, the Marina del Sur ramp has reopened, but the Rock Canyon and South Monticello ramps are closed and catfishing was slow to fair on cut shad. After recent flooding, Caballo Lake's levels are shifting, and the department expects the Rio Ruidoso to fish poorly for an extended period.

Harmful algae bloom advisories are still posted on Eagle Nest, Charette, Clayton and Bluewater lakes and on a stretch of the Rio Grande from the John Dunn Bridge through Orilla Verde. Quemado Lake has reopened after rain cooled and diluted the water, but it remains under a HAB danger advisory. The department asks anglers to check the New Mexico Environment Department's advisory map before they go.

The report also reviews the bait rules. Baitfish can't be used in Special Trout Waters, at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge or at Bottomless Lakes State Park. Live fish can't be moved between waters without a permit, and sunfish caught on rod and reel can be used as bait only in the water where they were caught.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: New Mexico Department of Wildlife — New Mexico fishing/stocking report for Oct. 22 (Oct. 22, 2026).