Jicarilla Fish Weblog

Fishing Report 12-30-09
The Jicarilla Ice Fishing season is off to a great start, with positive reports from both Stone Lake and Mundo Lake. The ice is currently 6-8 inches thick at both Stone and Mundo.
Stone Lake has been producing Rainbows averaging 16 inches with a few Browns of similar size mixed in. The best action has been in the morning and the evening. Catch rates have varied from one report to another, but at least one angler caught six fish on Saturday and several others were catching 2-3 fish in a few hours. The majority of anglers have been around Manghani point which is near the cement boat ramp on the east side of the lake. Red and white curly tail jigs are working with a variety of jig heads. Chartreuse is also a popular jig color at Stone, although it hasn’t been mentioned in reports. Please stay 100ft. away from open aeration holes at Stone Lake.
Mundo Lake has been excellent with jigs and good with powerbait. Catch rates have been as high as 6-7 fish per hour with jigs, and 3-4 fish per hour with powerbait. The majority of the fish are 8-12” Rainbows, but several larger fish as well a few Browns were reported this week. A wide variety of jig colors are working, and scented or bait tipped jigs are allowed at Mundo Lake. During the ice season (12/15-3/15) anglers are allowed 2 poles and Mundo is the only place to really take advantage of this regulation. Bait up one pole and jig another and you are bound to catch the 6 fish limit in an hour or two.
The roads are snow packed and plowed with limited access at Stone Lake. It is currently snowing lightly in Dulce with 2-3 inches of fresh snow expected tonight. Don’t forget that the 4th annual Jicarilla Ice derby is scheduled for Saturday February 6th, 2009. Dress warm, be safe, and have fun out there.
Kevin Terry
Fisheries Biologist

Fishing Report 12-22-09
Ice season is ON at the Jicarilla Fishing Lakes!! The ice is now at 6-7 inches at both Mundo Lake and Stone Lake. After a slow start, last week’s frigid nighttime temps helped promote solid ice development. Caution should be taken as always, and please stay at least 100 ft. from the open water aeration holes at Stone Lake. There were a few local anglers out at Mundo over the weekend and fishing was good. Both jigs and powerbait were catching trout but I do not have any info on catch rates or average size. I expect the average to be between 8-12” for the Rainbows. Remember that we have Ice season fishing permits available through our vendors and they are $20 for the season (12/15/2009-3/15/2010) . Also, anglers are allowed to use 2 poles during the ice season at no extra cost. The 4th annual Jicarilla Ice Derby is set for Saturday February 6th 2010. The derby will follow the usual format, and participants will be allowed to fish at Mundo Lake and Stone Lake in any combination they desire. This event has grown every year, and we are preparing to make this year the best yet. Details will be coming soon. As most folks know, the roads around the Jicarilla Lakes can be treacherous in bad weather so please check the forecast and be prepared. As of this morning the snow began to fall again, on roads that were just getting good. This is not supposed to be a big storm, and 4-8” of snow is expected tonight and tomorrow. Have a wonderful holiday season and we will see you on the ICE.
Kevin Terry
Fisheries Biologist

Fishing Report 12-7-09
The Jicarilla Fishing Lakes are currently closed to angling due to thin ice. Ice is now completely covering all three of the fishing lakes, but the ice is thin and considered dangerous. The recent cold weather and storms will help the ice develop, but the lakes will be unsafe for fishing for an expected 2 weeks or more. We will begin to investigate ice depth and integrity starting the week of December 14th. As soon as the ice is stable and deemed safe we will post a report on the website and in the Albuquerque Journal. The Jicarilla Game and Fish Department is looking forward to another great ice season and plans for the 4th annual Jicarilla Ice Derby are underway. Don’t forget that anglers can purchase an ice season fishing permit from any of our vendors or at the Game and Fish office in Dulce, NM. The ice season is designated from 12/15/2009 through 3/15/2010. Also, 2 rods may be used during ice season at no extra cost. Remember that Stone Lake is barbless artificial flies and lures only, but is open to ice fishing. I hope to see you out there as soon as the ice is safe.
Kevin Terry
Fisheries Biologist

Hello all,
It appears that the open water fishing is done for the year at the Jicarilla Fishing Lakes. Overnight, Stone lake went from 90% open water to nearly 90% ice. Warm weather may open up the ice a little, but the trend is headed toward complete ice. Stay tuned for reports on ice thickness and sharpen the old auger blades. Hopefully we will be fishing again by the end of the month!!!!

Kevin Terry
Fisheries Biologist

Hello Anglers,
This is a short update about open water at the Jicarilla Fishing Lakes. I just got back from Mexico and needless to say I found it quite cold from the moment we deboarded the plane. I went out to the lakes first thing this morning and wanted to shoot a quick update. Mundo Lake was almost completely covered in a thin layer of ice that is most likely gone this afternoon. Enbom was completely covered and will probably remain that way due to reduced winds and a lack of solar gain. Stone Lake was almost entirely open water with thin ice cover in both of the south bays. My feeling is that the open water will persist through the weekend at Stone. However, it is supposed to be very cold tonight. I will try to get out there again tomorrow for another update, but I thought that I would let you all know the current situation. This may be the last chance to fish for the big boys in open water.
PS. Check out some new pics in the photo gallery
Kevin Terry
Fisheries Biologist