Jicarilla Fishing Blog

Fishing Time

Folks,

No reports have been submitted. I did see a very nice bass photo posted online from Mundo Lake. Though it is hard to get an accurate measurement from a photo the fish appears to be in the 18" range, which with how fat it was could be close to five pounds.

The Nation will be on Administrative Leave from 11th of September and will return to their offices on the 18th of September. So you will not be able to purchase a permit at the Game & Fish office during this time. The Casino and Hotel will be open.

Get out and go fishing,

Fall is...almost...kind of...

Anglers have been out and about, slowly but surely. I have not received any reports from them, but folks in town have mentioned float tubers and bank anglers on a few of the lakes the last week. Two anglers yesterday at Mundo were catching 12-14" inch Rainbow Trout in the morning, but larger fish were elusive. Temperatures are still getting very summery during the day, but it is finally cooling off nicely at night. If you are into Catfish this might be the last few weeks of the active bite before they slow down for winter.

Of course hunting season has started and obviously that takes precedence for many of our part-time anglers. I told my wife I wouldn't be home much and for most of September, she would be a fishing-widow. Now she just laughs when I tell her such things.

Get out and enjoy the remainder of the season, before you know it I'll be posting ice thickness and snow reports.

Quick Update

Folks,

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are currently spreading at incredible rates throughout the United States, but in particular in the Southwest. Obviously, if you are an angler you have seen signs about clean, drain, dry and disinfect your fishing equipment before fishing new waters as it has been in the news and boat ramps for the better part of a decade. Aquatic invasive species including New Zeland Mudsnails, Quagga Muscles, Zebra Muscles, and many aquatic plant species pose a huge risk to fisheries.

Currently, the State of New Mexico and the Jicarilla Apache Nation are clean and do not have populations of AIS species. We would all like to keep it that way.

All boats must be clean, drained, and dried before launching at Jicarilla Lakes. Equipment like waders and float tubes need to be sterilized/disinfected before entering our waters, as should be common practice for traveling anglers.

We here at Jicarilla Game and Fish would like to remind anglers that the introduction of any of these species to the Nation would severely impact the fisheries you all come here to enjoy. So each and every one of you must do your part to limit the risk of accidentally transporting invasive species.

We will be implementing inspections of watercraft and equipment in the near future to further prevent the chances of any accidental introduction.

If you have questions on how to do your part contact the fisheries crew at (575) 759-3255 or jicarillafishqs@gmail.com

Summer Heat Wave

Folks,

No fishing reports were submitted in my absence.

The Game Wardens did contact a few anglers and the theme was bait fishing was slow, while spinners and flies were fishing better. It has been very hot and sunny, and the monsoon seems to have taken a break.

Stay out of the sun if you can, evening fishing is better fishing this time of year.

Updates

Folks,

No fishing reports have been submitted.

Which is not to say no fishing has been done, just everyone is keeping it to themselves. There really are not too many secrets around fishing, lots of rumors of secrets, but no real secrets. If you don't submit a report, you are not keeping your favorite lake from blowing up in popularity. Everyone wants up to date reports, but no one seems to want to submit them. Just as a reminder reports can be submitted on the website or by e-mailing jicarillafishqs@gmail.com

To the young man I excavated a treble hook out of last week, did your thumb heal up okay?

No one went out and tried the damsel hatch?

The Fish Crew will be on leave starting this afternoon and will return to the office Monday the 19th. If you have an emergency please call Jicarilla Police Department at 575-759-3222. I will respond to all e-mails and voice mails when I return.

Get out and enjoy,

Quick Updates

No fishing reports have been submitted. I'm starting to sound like a broken record but it seems everyone wants updates but no one wants to give one. I know some folks have been out but I have not heard from them.

Last week someone asked me how I would go about fishing the lake during this time of the year. First I wouldn't be caught out before 6:00 pm and I would probably wrap up at 10:30 pm or when my tummy told me it was grub time. By 5:00 most evenings (that I have been on the lake) the damselflies are cruising low and getting seriously hammered by trout. I'd focus on that bite after the monsoons have been hitting and the temperatures cool since the fish are getting active.

Now I know some of you are saying "but, but, I don't like dry fly fishing...", but the person asked me how I would go about it. I'd also be at the river, hiking habitat to habitat covering miles of water capitalizing on those browns. Using Clouser minnows and some form of crayfish pattern. It is not for the faint-hearted or the weak ankled, but most trophies don't come easy.

Stay home in the A/C or get after it and use some nontraditional times/patterns/techniques to catch big fish. My house doesn't have A/C so I'm going to choose the getting after it approaches!

Get out, and get after it,

Big Browns

Folks,

Have you been bummed about the lakes slowing down in the heat? For those adventurous anglers, the river should be fishing very well. I heard a rumor that crayfish flys are the ticket. Actually, I know for a fact crayfish flys are the ticket.

@Flybrary

Folks,

Just a quick update on a cool nationwide project we have brought to Mundo Lake. @flybraryproject is a neat concept of public fly boxes if you need a fly take a fly, have a fly leave a fly. Of course, this whole process works on the honor system, and the Fish Crew donated a dozen proven winners to start the process. I know a lot of you float tube addicts have a homebrew favorite pattern that you could spare one or two of. It also acts as a neat way for me to see what folks have been using at the lake. Based on the loaded vests and tube pockets I know more than a few of you have a fly collection problem, this is one simple way to trim down your assortments.

The Flybrary is located on the new bear-proof trashcan on the spillway at Mundo.

This sweet Seadek Flybrary patch was free from Castaway Customs (castawaycustoms.com), so not exactly an endorsement just a great way to build the fishing community. Who doesn't love free neat stuff?

Back Home and Back at Work

Folks,

After a much-needed road trip around the breadbasket of America, I have returned. In my absence, no fishing reports were submitted by anglers. The weather has been furnace-like, and as always happens the cold water fishing is slowing down, and of course, the warm water fishing should be heating up. Not to say a trout or two won’t get caught, but springtime 50 fish days are a thing for the upcoming fall.

I have been getting reports of weeds and vegetation making sinker fishing difficult. This is always the case in the summer as sunlight and warm temperatures make the vegetation grow at vigorous rates. We are going to be going into our normal monsoonal patterns if you still insist on listening to the weather professionals on the television.

Enjoy the summer, go catfishing, make fish tacos, be happy!

Quick Update

Folks,

The Youth Jicarilla Wild C.O.R.E program was a success and wrapped up today with kids fishing. The whole department and The Fish Crew was busy baiting hooks, teaching knot tying, and probably most important untangling every pole catastrophe that occurred at the lake.

No fishing reports have been submitted…

That being said it has been really hot and sunny so I think summer is finally here in full bloom. My allergies are telling me that every plant under the sun is enjoying the weather. It is probably time to consider warm water species fishing.

The Fish Crew will be on a two week vacation so there will be no new fishing reports posted until the week of July 15^th.

Enjoy the Holidays!

Quick Update

Folks,

Just a quick update. On June 27th the Department will be holding its second annual "Jicarilla Wild C.O.R.E." youth program BBQ and kids fishing day at Mundo Lake.

What does this mean: Kids from kindergarten to high school will undergo 3 days of extensive fish and wildlife conservation education as well as learn important hunting and fishing skills that will serve them for all their years.

What does this mean for you: There will be about 300 people including about 240 children fishing, eating hamburgers, learning about boating safety, how to cook a trout, and how to rig a fishing pole at Mundo lake from 9:00 to 3:00. This last day of the event is going to be fun for the participants, but for you fishermen and fisherladies who were planning on a fishing trip, I would recommend Embom Lake, or picking another day.

Quick Update

Folks,

Just a picture I snapped today at Embom. The weeds are coming in quick at Embom but the fishing is still going well for those with the touch. This guy is a fish hound for sure. There also is a picture of a real monster caught at Embom on our instagram page, you can find it on the homepage by clicking the camera icon.

June 18th 2019

Folks,

Fishing reports are coming in from my local on the ground troops, but I have not received any recent reports from out of town anglers. Fishing has been better in the late evening and early morning, which should be no surprise since temperatures have been high 70’s and low 80’s and sunny during the day. Powerbait, fly and water bobber, and fly anglers using sinking type lines have all reported excellent catches. Anglers willing to walk away from the popular spots have also been rewarded with larger fish.

It feels like summer is here to stay, and we are thankful for the amazing spring. It might be getting time to shift gears and start thinking about warm water action, especially during the heat of the day.

June 10th 2019

Photo: Two anglers combined bag at Mundo June 10th 2019

Folks

Received three reports from this weekend and the previous week. Mixed emotions with some anglers doing very well and others not so good. Local anglers are still reporting excellent catches especially in the morning and evening, with day time fishing slowing significantly if it is high heat and direct sun.

Today we had the Mundo road regraded so it is smooth sailing until the next monsoon. As always if you are hand loading a float tube, and your vehicle doesn’t like the road due to mud or ruts you can easily load off the highway right near the dam, it is only a 20 yard walk.

This morning two of our regulars where hammering fish and even said the catfish bite was starting to turn on. Largest trout was 17” and the biggest catfish was 18”.

Go fish, before it gets to be full on summer,

Spring Fishing

Folks,

No fishing reports have been submitted, but the Fish Crew has been hounding folks at the lake for your benefit. It turns out this year continues to provide great fishing. Anglers mentioned excellent catches and many fish an hour at both Mundo and Enbom. Some of the highlights have been multiple fish at 20 inches caught at Enbom lake this week and quite a few in the 16-18” range. Consistent catches on silver spinners, olive wooly buggers, hares ears and prince nymphs. Anglers mentioned overcast days producing more fish than bright sunny days. Anglers who are willing to get off the spillway and venture into less pressured areas are producing more, and larger fish. So it is business as usually as far as I can tell. The weather has been highly variable with the weatherman being wrong more than right (per usual).

Get out and go fishing, submit reports, be happy!

Misplaced Equipment

ATTENTION ANGLERS:

On Wednesday May 29^th 2019 it was discovered that the Jicarilla Game & Fish Departments thermograph system had been removed from Mundo Lake. This system was deployed on April 15^th 2019, and was last seen by staff on Thursday May 23^rd. This equipment monitors hourly lake temperature at three levels in the lake (top, middle, and bottom). The data collected has to be manually downloaded, but continuous hourly temperatures will be recorded for up to five years per device. They are meant to be deployed for long periods of time, and only downloaded when data is needed for analysis.

The system was comprised of three thermographs suspended by a foam buoy with orange “JGFD” painted on it in two locations. Black nylon rope (approximately 1/2” in diameter) was attached at the top to the buoy and at the bottom by metal cans filled with concrete (anchoring it to the bottom). The rope was approximately 36 feet in the length.

The three thermographs were Hobo Pro V2 models made by ONSET (see photos). The serial numbers of the missing units are as follows:

Top: 10872907

Middle: 10873306

Bottom: 10855082

These temperature data loggers are approximately $120.00 each, but the data they collect can never be replaced once the equipment is lost or stolen.

JGFD will be deploying a new system because this data is very important for continued trophy fisheries management. If you become entangled in the thermograph system, break or cut your line immediately, do no pull up the system or tamper with it in any way!

If you have any information relating to this missing equipment or why thermographs are being deployed please contact Jacob Mazzone at Jicarilla Game & Fish Department by calling (575) 759-3255 or through e-mail at jicarillafishqs@gmail.com

Misplaced Equipment

Folks,

Today I went out to Mundo Lake and noticed our Thermograph equipment was gone. Some of you may have noticed a white buoy with orange JGFD on it floating in the north east corner of the lake. This buoy was suspending multiple thermographs in the water column that all took hourly temperature readings. If you thought this was discarded refuse please contact me to set up a return of the equipment. Lake temperature monitoring is very import to fisheries management and the equipment is not inexpensive (but good luck pawning it). If you just thought you found a new anchor rope, please contact me. We just want to get our instruments back in the lake as soon as possible to keep collecting data. If you have any information or tips regarding this loss of equipment, please contact me.

The Office Number is (575) 759-3255 and my e-mail is jicarillafishqs@gmail.com

Updates

Folks,

I was told this holiday weekend was very busy, with lots of fish caught. But no one has submitted any reports, of course lots of people called for them. From the information I gathered lots of fish were caught multiple 20" fish from Embom and one 26" fish from Mundo were the real highlights. I learned this information second hand, but it was from a normally credible source. If a fisherman can even be considered a credible source… The weather is supposed to stabilize but we are experiencing everything from sun, to snow flurries. As the water warms up the fishing should only get better.

On a very sad note today our parks and recreation crew found a 20” fish discarded in the trash at Embom. Please do not keep fish you do not wish to eat, they are quite happy being put back in the lake to fight another day. If you witness someone wasting fish, or keeping more than their limit please call the Game and Fish immediately (575-759-3255) or on the weekend you can call the Police Department so they can contact and dispatch an on duty warden (575-759-3222).

Please remember to submit reports.

Go fishing!

The picture below is of one of the Foresters here in town last week at Embom Lake.

Spring Weather

Spring is acting like, well, spring. It is raining and snowing off and on at many elevations and as a fish guy, things are going awesome. Weather of this nature is supposed to continue throughout the week, according to the professionals. After the drought of 2018, this is exactly what we needed. Fishing has been fantastic from local reports, but visiting anglers have not submitted any new reports since the last blog update. Water bobbler and flies, bait, spinners, and all manor of tackle have been producing full stringers. Water temperatures last week were 54 degrees at seven feet and 47 degrees at 18 feet. Things are still cold so fishing should only improve when temperatures begin to rise. Please remember to be respectful of the boat ramp parking situation at Mundo, it is a very popular spot these days. Don’t forget to check out Embom lake, I heard a rumor about the north side flats holding some nice fish.

May 9th 2019

Folks,

I have to say it is turning into one of the most perfect springs I can remember. Rain makes for less fishing, but more water is more better! Bad English aside, roads are going to be very sloppy especially if the weatherman was correct when he said it should be raining off and on for the foreseeable future (at least through the weekend). Please use good judgement before tearing down wet roads, and consider parking on asphalt and walking in to the lakes if possible. It is Canada goose nesting season please use extreme caution and remain a safe distance away from nests.

I have been getting lots of fishing reports, and they are always quite interesting. Flies and lures have been out fishing bait, especially when it comes to fish size. Folks are reporting catches of 20 plus fish a day with pistol petes and fish in the 11-16”. Multiple anglers reported larger fish in the 18” to 20” range all on lures and flies. Boat and tube anglers seem to be out fishing shore anglers. Covering water this time of year is really important. On a side note the first rounds of stockings are completed for the spring.

Game wardens have been reporting that many anglers have not done their due diligence by not reading and understanding the fishing proclamation. Some of the most common violations have been fishing with two poles, and not knowing the limits. Please take the time to read the Proclamation, it is not very long, and it will save you from making a mistake that could result in a citation. It is available on multiple locations of the website, including the main page and is a downloadable .pdf you can save it to your smart phone for quick reference.

Un-safe boating and the loss of gear in the lake has come up again this year. Multiple rods have been reported missing (lost overboard) and at least one trolling motor. Please use common sense and all proper safety equipment if you are launching a tube or craft in the lakes. If you find any equipment please report it to the JGFD and turn it in so we can return it to the rightful owner.

Have a great weekend!

Derby Results

Photo: Quintin with his First Place Youth Catfish and 3rd Place Adult Catfish

We had beautiful weather for the 13^th Annual Derby. The fishing was on fire most of the day, and we weighed in the most fish of any derby (at least during my tenure). The Top Place finishers are listed below. The competition was fierce, and folks had to play the tactics game all day to place in the top three. Most folks were so focused on trout that they forgot about the other categories which made one lucky Bluegill fisherman, who took home some loaded fly boxes and a new float tube. One youth also placed in the Adult Catfish Category so we hooked him up with 1^st place youth and 3^rd place adult prizes.

Rainbow Trout (Adult Division)

1^st Herman Garcia with 5 Rainbow Trout weighing 5.965 pounds

2^nd Moses Esquibel with 5 Rainbow Trout weighing 5.543 pounds

3^rd Bob Martinez with 5 Rainbow Trout weighing 5.295 pounds

Bluegill (Adult Division)

Mike Pino with 1 Bluegill weighing 0.375 pounds

Channel Catfish (Adult Division)

1^st Joseph Vigil with 10 Channel Catfish weighing 14.380 pounds

2^nd Valentino Lucero with 3 Channel Catfish weighing 4.015 pounds

3^rd Quintin Cheykaychi with 1 Channel Catfish weighing 2.460 pounds

Rainbow Trout (Youth Division)

1^st Luis Cano with 5 Rainbow Trout weighing 4.915 pounds

2^nd Stormy Bicenti with 5 Rainbow Trout weighing 3.675 pounds

3^rd Jordon Victorino with 5 Rainbow Trout weighing 3.600 pounds

Channel Catfish (Youth Division)

1^st Quintin Cheykaychi with 1 Channel Catfish weighing 2.460 pounds

2^nd Arion Gonzales with 1 Channel Catfish weighing 1.008 pounds

25 April 2019

Folks,

Busy spring fishing season and I have a few updates.

Three docks are out at Mundo, they may not be in their final resting places for the season, but three docks are fishable.

For those folks who asked the water temperature at Mundo Lake today at 11:43 was 12.46 C.

PSA: Spill way parking is tight, PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN FRONT OF THE BOAT RAMP, it is very inconsiderate. If you park to close to the ramp you run the risk of getting backed into. Please consider that a truck has to pull up, around, and then back in. Stay well clear of the ramp when parking.

Parking is tight since the lake is so high, please move your vehicle from the spill way once you have unloaded your gear. Be considerate of folks who need to unload, back a trailer, etc.

Fishing has been hot, with fly rods out fishing bait six to one. The lake is off color and motion and flash seems to be the ticket. If you are a spin caster consider the ole Pistol Pete and water bobber technique. Boat anglers as always are having more consistent luck, on larger fish. Fish this week seemed to range from 10-19”.

The South Boat ramp at Stone Lake is underwater for the first time in well as long as I have been here. What a great thing that is. Let’s keep the rain coming.

May 4th is the 13^TH Annual Derby, if you are joining us, we look forward to seeing you out there! If you wanted the lake to yourself that day I would consider another weekend or another lake…

Good Luck out there!

Weather Changes

Folks,

It was spring for a quick second, and then it snowed. Not much snow and none of it accumulated but it feels like the temperature over the last two days has dropped 25 degrees, and the wind has been horrific.

I have only received a few reports, all indicated easy trout catches from shore 12-16” on spinners, bait, and spoons. The water temperature today is 47 degrees, so still very cold. The catfish bite has been amazing at the inflow area of Mundo with the local fishermen hauling in cats up to 24”, but they have say the old adage is true “you should have been here yesterday” as the bite seems to be slowing down.

The Fish Crew will be putting out the docks as soon as the weather allows. We are hoping next week the weather clears and lets us get out in the field. High wind and dock construction do not go together.

Mundo Lake is at the spill way and only two feet of the ramp is exposed. Please use caution in the area! I went to take the dangerous ice sign down and had to put on my waders. The sign is in knee deep water. The dead tree snag on the dam is total submerged. Awesome winter, brings awesome water!

Fishing Derby Update

13^TH Annual Jicarilla Fishing Derby: Rules and Regulations

$30 per angler (13 & over)

$10 per youth angler (12 & under)

This Year’s Derby will be held at Mundo Lake

All other 2019-2020 Jicarilla Proclamation Rules and Regulations Also Enforced!

General Derby Rules (valid May 4th 2019 ONLY!)

Jicarilla Game and Fish employees will be patrolling the Lakes, and have the authority to disqualify and cite any contestant for breaking the Jicarilla fishing regulations or tournament rules.
Every contestant must have their own separate stringer/creel of fish. Sharing or combining fish will not be tolerated and will result in immediate disqualification. All of the involved parties will stop fishing for the day (once a fish is caught, place in appropriate contestant’s creel or stringer immediately).
Registration starts at 7:30am on the Mundo Lake Spillway. Cash Only for registration correct change is appreciated!
Tournament fishing hours are from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Anglers may prepare to fish (launch boats, set-up, etc.) but cannot drop a line until the starting siren/gun has been sounded.
One Pole per angler
All fish must be turned in at the check-in station beginning at 3:30pm at the Mundo Lake Spillway. All fish must be checked-in by 4:00pm in order to qualify for prizes. No exceptions!
Contestants must treat each other and the Jicarilla Nation with respect and civility. Harassment, littering, vandalism are grounds for disqualification/citation. If cheating is suspected, please locate a Jicarilla Game and Fish employee to investigate. DO NOT confront another contestant if cheating is suspected. Please respect other anglers and their families, refrain from profane language and behavior.
Prizes are awarded based on total weight of a legal bag limit (measured by an approved Jicarilla Game & Fish Representative). Categorizes for Trout, Bluegill, and Catfish will be awarded prizes, there will also be youth divisions.
Legal bag limits are as follows Trout (5), Bluegill (10), and Catfish (25).
Bait Fishing is allowed at Mundo Lake in accordance with the 2019-2020 Fishing Proclamation (no fish pieces, fish/minnows, or amphibians allowed (please see 2019-2020 proclamation of complete list of applicable regulations)
Tiger Musky will not be included in this year’s Derby. Excessive handling/weighing could cause unwanted stress, thus, if a Tiger Musky is caught at Mundo Lake, please return it to the water as soon as possible to reduce stress and potential mortality.
Derby Registration allows anglers to fish during the duration of the Derby, to fish after the derby hours anglers will need a valid Jicarilla Fishing Permit

02 April 2019

Folks,

Just a quick update:

I took a drive today and wanted to report back that Mundo Lake is at the spillway and still gaining water. Please exercise extreme caution in the parking lot area, if the spillway is wet, please do not try and drive to the spillway instead walk from the road. The lake is slightly off color from run off.

Embom lake is spilling over and the road is very sloppy.

Stone lake is getting a much needed steady inflow of water from Elk Stream and is rising.

All the roads have wet areas and are rutted. We will get the roads crew to grade the roads once the threat of snow is over.

Fishing sounds like it is doing very well for those getting out early.

April 1st 2019

Happy April Fools Day!

No jokes from the Fisheries Crew this year, but some good news on the lake conditions.

Ice is gone from Mundo, and we are getting quite a bit of Inflow, which is AWESOME! Folks have been catfishing at the inflow area and doing very well. The lake is off color near the inflow due to all the run off. It snowed yesterday so winter is still trying to hang on.

Hope all is well!

14 March 2019

No real news, no open water yet, and ice fishing season is over. I just wanted to give an update on the weather. It has been raining, and it has been snowing. Which is excellent news for the lakes and rivers. After last year’s horrific drought getting a reprieve is a prayer answered. Now I’m not much of a fortune teller but all three lakes (Mundo, Embom, and Stone) are already receiving inflow after rain-on-snow events over the last week. If we can continue to reap the benefits of “Bomb Cyclones” and good old fashion spring storms it should be a very good spring!

Hope all is well,

Update

Folks,

Based on all the phone calls from anglers it has become apparent some of you are chomping at the bit to wet a line. Currently Mundo Lake has about 20 feet of open water around the south side of the lake. I think the remaining ice sheet is deteriorating quickly but it might take two more weeks to break up significantly with the current weather conditions. Obviously rain or high winds could accelerate the break up. I will be out of the office on business travel next week but will update when new information becomes available.

!!ICE FISHING CLOSED FOR SEASON!!

Folks,

After the warm weekend and early snow run off the ice sheet has turned to 18" of slush. Due to safety concerns the Department has decided to close the lakes to ice fishing for the rest of the season. This was the longest most productive ice season since I have been here (6 years). So there is alot to be happy about, winter just can't last forever (thank goodness for soft water fishermen like myself).

I will keep the blog updated with conditions as the lake opens up and spring fishing begins. New permit season begins April 1st and the new proclamation is already uploaded to the website.

The Fishing Derby will be held May 4th so get it on your calendars, we are working to get it all set up so I'll post updates as we get further along in the process!

New Website

Folks,

If you are reading this it means the new Jicarilla Game & Fish Website is live. It has taken quite a bit of work to update the website and we hope to share even more improvements and updates in the near future. All of your old favorites including the updated Fishing Proclamation and of course the Fish Blog will continue to be updated with the most current fishing conditions. Look around and enjoy!