Jicarilla Fishing Blog
October 21st, 2024
Folks,
The road from J-8 to the spillway at Mundo is open. The campground remains under renovation. Heavy construction traffic and equipment use is expected to be ongoing for the next four weeks (estimated, weather dependent). Construction and finishing touches are by no means complete, so we are asking everyone to have patience and be mindful of workers and their work.
Driving very slowly will help keep the road in good shape for longer. Washer boards are formed from folks driving faster than a road is built for...
One report submitted from a little over a week ago indicated slow fishing at Embom and Stone and 14-16" trout at Mundo.
I'd think fishing before winter really sets in would be a good idea.
J.
October 7th, 2024
Folks,
What a weird fall. I got quite the tan for October this weekend. Morning water temps are in the high fifties and warming 5-10 degrees during the day.
The Road at Mundo and Camping is still closed while being renovated. The next two weeks expect heavy truck traffic and noise and a lot of material is being brought in to improve the road. The lake is open with access from the east side. The Spillway is closed to vehicle access but walk in access is open.
J.
September 26th, 2024
Folks,
Summer just won't quit. It appears it will be in the eighties for quite a few days...
One fishing report from Stone Lake indicated some rising fish in the early morning but no takers.
Day time water temperatures are still pretty high. So targeting mornings through lunch will be your best chance.
The main spillway access road and camping at Mundo remain closed. Fishing is still open with access from the east side of the lake.
Fall fishing isn't here yet, because, in a sense, fall isn't here yet.
J.
September 9th, 2024
Folks,
The weather sure has been fun lately. Crazy hot, super windy, cold, warm, raining, hailing, hot... Been a real roller coaster of a year thus far. Lakes are low and weedy as is usual by the end of summer, just hoping for a great winter to replenish what summer takes. Despite the fortunate weather we are still in a significant water deficit.
As part of improvements the Fish Crew installed some Monofilament recycling stations at Mundo and Embom today. They are for Monofilament, not trash or braid. Do your part and recycle.
Water temps are just beginning to decline but are still high. I would suspect below 65 degree day time water temps to be here in the next few weeks. All lakes were in the mid-sixties at eight in the morning and obviously peaking higher during the afternoon.
Work on Mundo is moving forward. The road to the spillway remains closed, but you can still access the lake on the east side.
This weekend is Go-Jii-Ya so do not be surprised by increased traffic on J-8 and especially around Stone Lake.
Enjoy!
J.
August 22nd, 2024 Update
Folks,
The Mundo Lake access road (to the spillway) will be closed starting August 29th and will remain closed for approximately 4 weeks while crews are working on improvements to the road. The lake will remain open to fishing but vehicle access will be limited to the east side of the lake. Please be cautious of increased truck and equipment traffic in the area.
The Department is excited as the project is moving forward on schedule.
As always the Fish Crew will keep you updated as relevant information is available.
J.
August 19th, 2024
Mr. Joseph Vigil Winner of the photo contest and his winning photo at Stone Lake.
August 8th, 2024
Quite the fun summer and almost rounding the corner into autumn, but not quite. Monsoon is in full effect with crazy rain, lighting and flooding. Many dirt roads will be impassable until it dries out. Highs in the 90's have been kind of a bummer for working, but all projects are moving along on schedule. The Mundo Camping area is still closed as construction has begun in earnest. The main access road to the spillway will be resurfaced which will require the access to the spillway be closed to public access when the that phase begins. Not yet, and of course we'll announce that here.
Mr. Joseph Vigil was selected as the winner of our photo contest. He submitted a great photo from his youth at Stone Lake.
Stay tuned for more contests as the year progresses, you never know what we'll come up with next.
No reports have been submitted.
Hope all is well,
J.
July 18th, 2024
Folks,
As promised Mundo Lake camping area will be closed to public access starting July 22nd and is anticipated to be closed for approximately 6 weeks.
This closure is to allow construction crews to renovate the camping area.
Further closures will be announced as the project progresses.
No reports have been submitted.
J.
July 10th, 2024
Folks,
Some quick updates: Little Beaver Weekend is July 19-21st and is probably going to be pretty darn busy. Lots of fun activities around town including every country boy's favorite, mud bogging. Our office will be closed July 19th in honor of Jicarilla Warriors Day.
Speaking with an angler the other day they mentioned seeing some suspicious angling activities, or maybe it was an emergency and they were unsure what to do. In cases such as these please Call Dulce Dispatch at 1(575) 759-3222. They can dispatch the appropriate law enforcement, medical, or fire staff. It is important to report violations when they are occuring, any tips leading to convictions may also bring a healthy reward.
Monday is the last day to submit historical photos of fishing the Jicarilla. I know there are some big fish photos from Dulce, La Jara, or elsewhere floating around and we'd love to see them. These are old photos we are looking for scanned from polaroids, etc. A winner will be selected by the Fish Crew for an awesome prize package.
Weeds are coming up, time to start thinking about transitioning from sinkers to bobbers. Water temperatures are high consider limiting catch and release angling or targeting warm water fish.
Consider submitting a fishing report if you like seeing new content on the blog. Despite the rumours the Fish Crew doesn't get to fish in the traditional sense all the time. Your reports make the blog possible.
J.
July 8th, 2024
Folks,
Based on the photos going around the internet the Fish Crew's thoughts on catch and release fishing when water temps are above 68 degrees seem to be going unheeded. Which really is a shame. I know most folks know more about fish and fishing than the Fish Crew, since they tell me that all the time but AI search bots even agree with me this time. 
You have a few more days to submit photos for the contest. Photos due July 15th.
No reports have been submitted.
J.