Jicarilla Fishing Blog
Holiday Update
Folks,
Ice development took a huge hit last week when we received many nights above freezing and rain on multiple occasions. There is no ice fishing at this time. I'll keep you all updated as the situation develops, but it looks like it may be a late start to ice fishing and without a cold spell it might not be until after the new year.
FYI: The Jicarilla Game & Fish Department Office will be closed starting at 1:00 pm on December 22nd and we will return to normal operation at 8:00 am on January 9th, 2023.
Hope all is well.
J.
Ice Season
Ice season is getting closer but no fishable ice as of yet. It was 2 degree's this morning in Dulce when the Fish Crew got to work.
This morning Embom is 100% covered in thin sheet ice and is majority covered throughout the day. Mundo is 98% covered at 1:30 this afternoon. Stone Lake is 95% covered as of 12:00 this afternoon.
Open water season is officially over! I'll keep you informed of ice conditions as they develop. Traditionally somewhere around Christmas we have fishable ice but every year is different.
Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday weekend!
J.
November 22, 2022
Folks,
Getting downright cold out there, don't be surprised by sheet ice around the edges of the lakes in the mornings. There is still some time to fish if you don't mind cold temps, but the days are getting much shorter and it is starting to feel like winter.
The Game and Fish Department will be closed Tuesday the 23rd thru Sunday the 27th and will reopen for normal business on Monday 28th.
Please enjoy your Holiday weekend and be safe out there!
J.
November 14th, 2022
Folks,
It's pretty gloomy outside this morning, snowing in the high country, and flurries down here. Hopefully, this turns into a blizzard as I sure would just like to get winter rolling, this tip-toeing around the tulips is getting a bit old.
No fishing reports have been submitted. I know folks went fishing but it seems the majority of anglers are not submitting reports. I am also noticing an uptick in folks not familiar with the proclamation, which is quite concerning.
Otherwise, it looks and feels like a gloomy day November outside. I'd reckon fall is over but we are a while away from ice fishing season. Don't worry I'll keep you updated on that as it gets closer.
J.
November 3rd, 2022
Folks,
It started raining this morning and around lunch, the rain turned to snow. That means roads to the lakes will be wet and should be avoided if possible, Highway roads may be slippery. Enjoy your weekend.
Fishing reports have been very positive especially from float tubers in Mundo. Low and slow seems to still be the ticket.
Winter is fun.
J.
Happy Halloween
Happy Halloween Folks,
Fishing isn't very spooky but some people say it's best done in costume. I'm not one of those people but some are. Fishing is a lot like trick or treating, but the fish only get tricked.
Fishing reports are trickling in and some anglers have noted larger buggers, standard bead-head nymphs, and low and slow is the ticket. One group at Mundo noted 6 fish and hour catch rates which is very good. The nighttime temperatures have been cold but daytime temperatures are still in the '50s with clear skies and high sun, supposedly winter will be here soon and I'm ready.
We will be bringing in the docks for winter starting most likely next week.
Get out fishing and enjoy what is left of the 2022 open-water season.
J.
October 24th, 2022
Folks,
Winter came this morning, but maybe not for the long haul yet. The views were incredible this morning as the clouds lifted. Anglers who braved the weather were rewarded with slow fishing but an average size of 16"-18" at Mundo Lake. I would recommend spinners or larger bugger patterns as the water clarity did not improve with the rain yesterday or the snow today. Don't let the weather slow you down, your chances for open-water fishing are getting limited.
As a reminder though it is not required for adult anglers please consider wearing your lifejackets and inspecting your boats for their "seaworthiness" before launching, the water is cold and the winds have been high. In a time of need, a lifejacket not worn is just about as good as no life jacket. Youth are required to wear a life jacket at all times while in watercraft.
October 12th, 2022
Folks,
I had to scrape the windshield this morning and the leaves are turning, so that is usually a fair sign that summer is ending.
Water temperatures are in the high to mid-'50s and the lakes are clearing from last week's rain.
No fishing reports have been submitted but a fair amount of people have been out and about.
Get your fall fishing fix before old man winter comes a'knocking.
J.
September 30th, 2022
Folks,
We are still being blessed with some scattered showers and nighttime temperatures are starting to dip slightly. Water temperatures are still hovering in the low to mid-sixities at all lakes. One report from Mundo was submitted indicating trout up to 18" on dragonfly patterns and a welcome but unexpected 8-pound catfish on the fly. Aquatic vegetation at Mundo is still up but very fishable.
Enjoy your weekend, and go fishing.
J.
September 22, 2022
Today is a big day for the Fish Crew. After twenty-two years of service Rosenberg Tafoya, Fisheries Technician is retiring.
That means the better three-quarters of the Fish Crew is going to be fishing more and we all wish him the best of luck.
Today and yesterday have been rainy days and I mean rainy. Please use extreme caution and if you don't absolutely have to access the lakes via the road please don't.
Water temps are 62 a Mundo, 64 at Stone, and 61 at Embom.
No fishing reports have been submitted.
J.