Jicarilla Fishing Blog
May 31st, 2023
Folks,
Sounds like from the one report I have received fishing is really good, but with good fishing comes more anglers at the lakes. 10 to 20 fish an hour in the 14-19" range. Please remember once you retain a fish in your bag/stringer/livewell basket/etc. you can not return them or exchange them for another fish. Once a bag is retained you are done fishing for the day.
Just a friendly reminder for those who are curious the Jicarilla Apache Nation DOES NOT participate in the state's free fishing day. Anglers are always required to purchase a valid Jicarilla Fishing Permit before engaging in fishing in the Nation.
J.
May 25th, 2023
Folks,
You all are making this a season to remember, fishing permit sales are booming! Water clarity at all lakes is in fluctuation due to many monsoon-esque rain storms we have had, visability is best at Mundo with Embom and Stone having less. Fishing has been great with many nice fish being landed at Mundo this week. Some anglers have mentioned peaks and valleys with action, which with large storms moving about is to be expected.
The Fish Crew has installed buoys at all three recreational fishing lakes: DO NOT DISTURB THEM. If you snag one cut your line.
If you would like to report a crime or an emergency on our lakes please call Jicarilla Police Dispatch at (575) 759-3222. This could include suspected Game & Fish proclamation violations. Reporting poachers is the right thing to do.
Our office will be closed on Monday the 29th for Memorial Day. The 155th observance of this day honors those who have lost their lives serving in the United States Armed Services.
Enjoy!
J.
May 11th, 2023
Folks,
Fishing must be hot because we have seen more anglers than usual. Reports are ranging from 16-20" and at the rate we are selling permits they must be landing quite a few, and telling their friends. Fishing seems to be better later in the day.
It would be awesome if some of you interpreted anglers could send in some pictures, I'll make ya famous by putting them in upcoming blogs!
I would like to remind everyone to read and understand the fishing proclamation before engaging in fishing here on the reservation. Law enforcement is out and they love enforcing the rules. Deny them the pleasure of writing you a ticket by being a law-abiding and informed fisherman!
J.
May 2nd, 2023
Folks,
Lots of fishermen and lots of fish. Limits of 16-23" fish being reported from Mundo. Everything from bait to spinners and spoons, normal bugger-type flies, the basics are all working like they should.
No reports from Embom or Stone.
J.
April 25th, 2023
Folks,
The water is still off-color at all lakes, but improving. Anglers are indicating 14"-18" fish and 20 per fish day at Mundo, Only one report from Stone and Embom indicated slow fishing, but they didn't really give it a good college try. One angler indicated a 21" fish out of Mundo but he may or may not have been telling a white lie, you never can tell with fishermen. Bait, spinners, and flies have all caught their fair share of fish this week.
The wind has been bad, last nite it snowed, it was foggy pea soup this morning and it's supposedly going nice sometime in the near future, but as well speak it is sleet hailing and 40 plus gusts. If you want good fishing the spring is second only to the fall.
Enjoy,
J.
April 19th, 2023
Folks,
The wind and dust this week are something else. Not sure if this is the new normal, but the wind and dust have been pretty serious. The dust is especially bad for our remaining snowpack, as it causes it to melt much faster than it would or should normally.
The docks at Mundo have been put out, the gate to the hill opened, and the road graded.
The gate at Embom has been opened.
Water at all of the lakes is still off-color and the wind isn't helping that at all. I would imagine the turbidity will remain high for quite a few more weeks. This isn't the time for small bugs or little baits. Now is the time for chartreuse and flash, big buggers and streamers, rapalas, and the like.
Two anglers at Mundo on Monday had slow fishing from shore but noticed an increase in fish bites after lunch when the temperatures warmed. One was using small nymphs and the other was using the trusty small bugger/pistolpete with a water bobbler.
It's still very early spring around here with frost most mornings. If you enjoy this blog please consider submitting a fishing report.
J.
April 11th, 2023
Folks,
I hope you all had a very nice holiday weekend. Currently, it seems at least for a couple of days the weather is quite warm. Mundo and Stone are ice-free but Embom still has 70% ice coverage. All lakes are receiving inflow and are very turbid.
Please use caution at the Mundo spillway as water is reaching the normal parking area and the boat ramp is almost 100% underwater. USE CAUTION and do not drive vehicles into the lake. The spillway is a spillway first and a parking area second.
Fishing reports from the weekend indicate 16-18" trout and possibly some nice catfish hits.
The gate at Embom is closed as the road is still snowbound.
The gate to the Mundo camping is closed currently due to road conditions but the lower section from J-8 to the spillway is dry currently.
Ice Conditions (4/4/2023)
As of today, Stone Lake is 90% open water and very turbid. Mundo Lake is less than 30% open and the lake is very turbid. The high wind is surely helping but we have a long way to go, especially as it is snowing outside currently. Spring sure is fun. The road is impassable due to melting snow, and access to the lake is only available on the east side.
The online permit system is open for 2023-2024 business, please read all information thoroughly before buying a permit online. Our office is also open for permit sales Monday thru Friday 8-5 on all normal non-holiday days.
J.
Spring?
Not quite, though the melt is on and off here we are still seeing cold nights. but the edges of the ice sheet at all the lakes are separated by the afternoon. We are seeing significant inflow at all lakes, which is always what the doctor ordered. I'll keep updating as the situation moves along, but I'm still hoping for another few feet of snow to really cap off the season. 
Online Permit System
Folks,
Just an update: I have turned off the Online Permit System in order to begin the transition to offering the new 2023-2024 season year (April 1st, 2023- March 31st, 2024) permits. It should hopefully be turned on later this week and allow for pre-season purchasing for the remainder of the month but will no longer be selling 2022-2023 permits. This should not cause any interuption as the ice is no longer safe but there is no open water to fish as of yet.
Have a great weekend.
J.