Jicarilla Fish Weblog

Fishing Report 8-26-08

Fishing has been good on the Jicarilla lakes over the past week. Mundo has been fishing well for Cats, Bass and Bluegill, while the trout seem to have slowed down a bit. The Catfish are hitting on the same old stinky stuff and are averaging around 11-12” with good numbers of fish substantially larger. The Bass are taking lures and flies and are averaging 8-10”. These guys are great on a light fly rod, but always be ready for those lunkers that we see in the spring. Big ugly Bass buggers and woollys ought to do the trick as will any number of grubs from a Bass box. Bait anglers can do very well for Bass, Bluegill, and trout using the grasshoppers that are all over the dam right now. Bring some small bait hooks and a coffee can and you are in business. Try to keep them kicking and floating and you are sure to see some good strikes.
Enbom is your best bet for good trout fishing right now. The weeds are and probably will continue to be an issue, but folks have been catching good numbers of chunky trout. When I look at Enbom right now I think that you would have to fish up top to avoid the weeds. However reports from the weekend seem to suggest otherwise. Several folks did very well with powerbait and salmon eggs on the bottom. The average trout is a chunky 12” and the catch rate is somewhere in the 4-8 fish per hour range. Reports of some larger fish being caught and lost at the bank have also come in. These guys may be selecting for lures and larger flies but it is hard to tell. Fly anglers are doing well with both surface and subsurface patterns. A smaller (#14-16) generic mayfly will mimic some of the naturals that can be out in small numbers and a grasshopper will fish well all day. Buggers and Beadheads are likely alternatives. Fishing a casting bubble and fly is an excellent approach at Enbom right now and will give the angler more range from the shore.
We have some news alas from Stone Lake. It’s a little early to call this big feedback (2 anglers) but any news, especially good news is worth reporting for Stone. One angler was trolling rapalas near and around the southwest cove aerators where there aren’t any weeds. He caught three fish between 17and 20”, and fished the lake for 2-3 hours. A fly fisherman in a float tube also had some good luck at Stone with damselflies and beadheads. He caught 4 fish with the biggest estimated at 21-22”. All of the fish were reported fat and feisty. Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come as the days are steadily winding down towards fall.
Horse Lake is still in bad shape with heavy weeds and green algae but might be worth a shot if you are looking for some peace and quiet. If you don’t already have plans for the big weekend, you may want to head to the Jicarilla Lakes and do some fishing. In any case, have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.

Kevin Terry
Fisheries Biologist

Fishing Report 8-19-08

The crowds have died down substantially lately at the Jicarilla Fishing Lakes. School is in session and folks are getting ready for the upcoming hunting season. Some reports have come in from Enbom and Mundo and both lakes are fishing well. Horse Lake is still fighting off an algae bloom and Stone Lake has been neglected as far as I know.
Mundo Lake is fishing excellent for Channel Catfish day and night with a variety of stink baits and even worms. A patient angler can be very selective when determining the harvestable size. The aquatic weeds are starting to be a nuisance for shoreline anglers and will be harvested next week. Until then concentrate on the east side of the lake and from the docks. The trout fishing is fair lately with powerbait, worms, and corn. Dry flies are also working for an hour or so before sunset and into dusk. No reports on Bass fishing lately, but considering the weed growth topwater stuff should be a good bet near the emergent vegetation.
Enbom is fishing very well for Rainbow Trout in the 11-13” range with several up to 20” being reported. The most frequently reported baits are green and rainbow colored powerbait. Lures have been vaguely reported as targeting larger fish, but that is very second hand info. Flies, especially dry flies are currently the most consistent means of angling at Enbom. The mornings and evenings have been producing good surface activity, and there is no indication of a specific hatch that these fish are keying in on. I have heard good things from people using grasshopper flies and parachute adams. Remember that Enbom is free camping with your fishing permit, and is in a good location to hear bugling elk which have just started to talk.
Stone Lake is in good shape with clear water and decent ph readings. The surface temps are still well into the 70’s but they should start back down in the next couple of weeks or so. I have not heard anything from Stone for a couple of weeks now. If you head out to Stone try to find the bass near the shorelines on the east side of the lake and the trout deep near the aerators.
Horse Lake is not recommended for fishing right now due to a significant algae bloom and heavy weed growth. Horse should start fishing well toward the end of September. Have a great week and may the big one bite.

Kevin Terry
Fisheries Biologist

Fishing Report 8-5-08

Fishing on the Jicarilla Lakes has been good for the past week. Enbom and Mundo are the standouts, and the Bass in Stone are worth a shot as well. Horse Lake continues to struggle with a prolific algae bloom, and the Navajo River has been off and on depending on rains and water clarity. Catfishing has been excellent at Mundo.
Mundo Lake has been fishing very well, especially for Channel Catfish. Liver and various other stinkbaits have been taking Catfish up to 25”. The average catfish is running 12-15”, but there are good numbers in the 18-20” range. Anglers can be quite picky right now when harvesting catfish due to numerous reports of 50+ fish days. If you like catfish Mundo is the place to be. The Trout have also been biting well on bait, flies, and lures. The best reports are from anglers in boats trolling the middle of the lake with lures. These guys seem to be catching a higher proportion of the 16-20+” fish compared to shore anglers. Float tubers using heavy woolly buggers (black and Green) and beadheads fished deep are doing quite well also. Shore anglers are having the best success for trout fishing bait 5 to 7 feet below a bobber. However, keep moving the bobber to find the right zone for trout. The Bass fishing in Mundo has been very good along the emergent vegetation for fish averaging 10”. Spinners, grubs, jigs and flies are all working. Several larger bass up to 18” have also been reported recently. The water is very clear at Mundo right now.
Enbom Lake has been fishing very well for Rainbow Trout averaging 12-13” with a few up to 18”. Both bait and flies are getting excellent action. The surface action continues at Enbom with fish rising consistently throughout the day. They are keyed in on adult damsels, but have been hitting large adams and several caddis patterns as well. The grasshoppers are out and about at Enbom and both fly fishermen and bait anglers should consider them for topwater fishing opportunities. Bait fishermen are also having success with powerbait, salmon eggs, and worms. The weeds have been recently chopped and access from the shore is available at a number of sites on the southern half of the lake.
Stone Lake has had yet another peaceful week with little or no attention from fishermen. There haven’t been any reports, but conditions are definitely right for Largemouth Bass on the east side. Considering the massive abundance of tiger salamanders, try fishing soft grubs and plastics in darker colors with a pronounced vertical jig action. The trout should be holding in deeper cooler water and may be stacked up near either aerator cluster. Good luck and please call or email if you go fishing at Stone Lake.
Horse Lake is currently not recommended for fishing due to a heavy green algae bloom. The Navajo River has been hit or miss lately, due to heavy flashes of turbid water following the monsoons. There have been several larger storms lately that have really made things murky. However, when things clear up the fishing has been good for Rainbows and Browns up to 18”. Have a great week and a better weekend.

Kevin Terry
Fisheries Biologist