Jicarilla Fishing Blog

Fishing Report 2-29-12

            Fishing pressure has been down again this week at the Jicarilla Lakes. Nasty unpredictable weather and the simple fact that late February is typically slow for ice fishing, has led to decreased pressure. A group of local anglers hurried to host an ice derby on Saturday but the turnout was minimal. However, these small events are a great way to add something to your fishing experience. The Jicarilla Game and Fish department is open to discussing and hosting other small events throughout the year as long as there is some outside organization and planning. If you have ideas or want to plan an event for a group of anglers, please don’t hesitate to contact us by emailing me through the www.jicarillahunt.com website.

            Stone Lake did get three anglers on Saturday for the derby. It was a slow day and one fat 12 incher actually took the cash. Another report from Thursday afternoon was a little better with two anglers catching one fish each in less than an hour. The biggest was a 21 inch rainbow and the second fish was a nice 17 inch fatty. The ice is still 15-17 inches thick but water is beginning to flow on warm afternoons and folks should be careful around the edges of the lake when this happens. At this point, the weather forecast is calling for a chance of snow on Thursday and Friday but clear skies on Saturday and partly cloudy for Sunday.

            Mundo Lake has been fished a little, as evidenced by tracks on the ice. I have not received any reports though and I suspect fishing is a little slow out there. Water has been running into the lake and on top of the ice, creating big brown puddles in the afternoons. Stay away from these areas, as it is hard to predict the impacts of this flowing water on the ice sheet. The problem areas are restricted to the southern part of the lake where arroyos drain melted snow from large sagebrush flats. The northern half of the lake still has a good stable ice sheet.

            Ice season is winding down for us at the Jicarilla Lakes. We are preparing for open water and we are looking forward to a great year. The new proclamation will be available in the last couple weeks in March. A lot is happening at the lakes this year including the installation of permanent vaulted toilets. The Jicarilla Game and Fish Department is also making a move down the street to our brand new building. We should be open for business at the new location by the season opener (4/1/12). Stop by and check out our 300 gallon aquarium. See you soon.

Kevin Terry

Fisheries Biologist

Jicarilla Apache Game and Fish Department

HELLO ICE ANGLERS

PLease share this information with anyone who you think would be interested in this event. This is a very late call but please share. This could be a great event with as few as 20 anglers. I will be on the ice helping out. The weather should be good and the format is very simple. CASH MONEY!!!!!!

Kevin Terry

Click Here For Derby Details

Fishing Report 2-21-12

            Ice fishing continues at the Jicarilla Lakes. The ice sheet is currently 15 inches thick at Stone Lake and assumed the same at Mundo Lake. The wet snow from last week’s storm was quickly incorporated into the ice sheet during recent clear cold nights. The weather outlook is good through the weekend this week. Stone Lake has received all of the attention recently and Mundo Lake remains untracked. Oxygen levels are hanging on at Stone and the fish caught are still fighting well.

            Stone Lake has been getting some attention from local anglers. Fishing has been variable from day to day. At least 8 fish were caught over the long weekend by a group of anglers. Sunday was the best action with 6 fish landed between three anglers. The fish ranged in size from 12 inches to 19 inches. This group was on the North side of the lake and had some action each of three days this weekend.

            Mundo Lake is covered in a fresh coat of snow with zero trace of fishing activity. The most recent report from last week came from a local angler who caught a diverse bag of fish near shore on the East side of the lake. He took Bass, Bluegill, Catfish, and a few skinny Trout with jigs.

            Late winter ice fishing can be hit or miss. Fish are slow and hunkered down waiting for spring. The Dissolved Oxygen levels at or near the bottom will not support trout for an extended period of time. Fishing higher in the column will put you in more fish. The sunny weather coming up should make for great conditions on the ice. Soak up the rays and catch some nice fish too. See you out there.

Kevin Terry

Fisheries Biologist

Jicarilla Apache Game and Fish Department  

Fishing Report 2/14/12

            Happy Valentines to all of you fish lovers out there. Hopefully your hearts are content with all of the great fishing presents you received. Thanks goes out to everyone who came to see us at Bob Gerding’s Outdoor Adventures Show. It’s nice to get feedback from veterans and to meet new anglers that are interested in the Jicarilla Lakes. The report this week will be brief, as we had very few reports.

            Stone Lake is the source of the only the only reports and those were not very detailed. In total, I heard about two fish being caught over the weekend. One was small and I didn’t get any other news than that. The other report was sent via a txt message that included a very nice picture which will be attached below. Audie Reval caught this 19.5 inch beauty on Saturday.

            The weather outlook is mixed with chances of snow at times throughout the week and into the weekend. Give us a call at 575-759-3255 if you want to check on the roads before heading out. The roads are currently wet and slushy in places. The ice is 12 inches thick at both lakes, but there is a layer of slushy wet snow on top from the recent storm.

            Ice fishing continues at the Jicarilla Lakes. We have approximately one month left, as the lakes tend to thaw out in the last couple of weeks in March. Please send in reports by visiting the website www.jicarillahunt.com and clicking on the contact us menu. Check out Audies nice fish below and have a great week on the ice.

Kevin Terry

Fisheries Biologist

Jicarilla Apache Game and Fish Dept.

Audie Reval, caught 2-10-12, 19.5 inch Rainbow Trout

Fishing Report 2/8/12

            The Jicarilla Lakes are sitting under 12 inches of good ice. Fishing pressure has been low, but some action was reported at both Stone Lake and Mundo Lake this week. The forecast is mixed right now, calling for partly cloudy to possible snow showers through the weekend.

            Stone Lake produced several nice Rainbows up to 20 inches this weekend. Anglers were also getting bites and several hook ups, with lost fish were in the mix. Nothing specific was reported this week, but working jigs in relatively shallow water in the afternoons should result in some action. We have seen some real trophies come through the ice this year, so get out here and give it a shot.

            Mundo Lake continues to be pretty slow this week. A few locals have been out there with mixed results. Bluegill and Bass have been hitting on the east side of the lake and are probably biting on the south end as well. If you find a pod of bluegill, you should be able to catch quite a few. The trout fishing has been slow and the average size (10 inches) is below what we want to see. However, there are some really nice trout in Mundo and the surprise factor of this lake makes for a great ice fishing adventure.

            Have a great week on the ice. If you are in Albuquerque this weekend, please stop by our booth at Bob Gerding’s Outdoor show. Let’s talk fish!!!!

Kevin Terry

Fisheries Biologist

Jicarilla Apache game and Fish Dept.