Jicarilla Fishing Blog
June 7th, 2022
Folks,
Amazingly no fishing reports have been submitted, despite record permit sales...It may be since we are seeing a higher volume of new anglers, but I know plenty of regulars are fishing and just keeping all their success to themselves.
This year as with every year there was some misunderstanding around the free fishing day. Just a reminder the Jicarilla Apache Nation is its own separate entity and sets its own rules and regulations. Hence why you need a Jicarilla Fishing Permit when fishing here. We do not participate in a free fishing day.
Prize fish are being turned in slowly and a 17.5" rainbow from Mundo Lake was our last winner. The two grand prize tags are still swimming freely. Remember you do not need to kill the fish to collect your prize, just pull the tag off the trout's back and turn it into the Game & Fish or e-mail the Fish Crew at jicarillafishqs@gmail.com.
The weather is warming up quickly so I would recommend getting your trout fix in before the heat slows the fishing down till fall.
J.
May 31st, 2022
Folks,
I guess fishing has been good even though no reports have been submitted. I know 2 winning prize fish were caught this weekend one measuring 23" and one measuring 25". If you catch a tagged fish bring the tag into the Game & Fish Office to collect a prize. We still have many tags at large two, of which are for our top prizes of sit-on-top kayaks.
I know fishing has been good. With New Mexico closing down it has also been extremely busy here. The wind has also been a factor, very very high wind. Fire restrictions are still in place!!
J.
May 18th, 2022
Folks,
Fishing has been excellent, with some folks reporting large catches in excess of 40 fish a day with some trout reaching 24" in length, and an average catch of 14-18". Mundo and Embom low and slow with fly gear have been very effective, with some folks swearing by one fly or another, but it seems based on the reports everything from prince nymphs, dragonfly larvae patterns, and bead headed wooly buggers are equally catching. Bait and lures fished deep are also very productive. If you are interested in trout fishing I would recommend getting your fishing in before mid-June as water temperatures will exceed reasonable catch and release conditions by then. Obviously, trout fishing is best in the spring and fall. Once water temperature exceeds 65 degrees we recommend, and all ethical anglers should understand, that trout fishing (especially catch and release) should cease, and anglers should target warm water species or find cooler water.
We are getting a lot of questions and concerns from anglers about the rules and regulations. It is your responsibility to read and understand the 2022-23 Fishing Proclamation, by signing your permit you are legally attesting to the fact that you have read and understood the document.
We are under Extreme Fire Risk currently and there is a complete ban on outdoor fires. There are multiple active fires in the region and smoke is present. Please do your part to prevent fire. This ban will be in effect for the foreseeable future.
If you call and want to talk to the Fish Crew please remember to leave your phone number with the area code on your voicemail recording, we do not have your numbers memorized.
J.
May 10th, 2022
Folks,
Despite the high winds anglers are coming out in droves and really catching quite a few nice fish. Anglers are reporting 20-60 fish days at Mundo with fish ranging in size from 14"-20" on every conceivable technique. Embom is producing very well for some anglers and not so well for others. Anglers using float tubes are outfishing shore anglers in most reports.
If you are releasing fishing please use the heaviest line possible and release fish in a timely manner. We are getting a few reports of anglers using less than optimal techniques by using towels to handle fish, reeling fish onto shore, etc. Please release fish to fight another day. If you are a fly angler there is no need for a tippet below 3x or 4x at the absolute minimum, since leaving hooks in fish's mouths because you think you need 6x to catch a fish is not an ethical catch and release nor a good use of the resource. If you are unsure of the best catch and release practices I have embedded a video with some tips and tricks. There are countless resources for information of this nature with a simple youtube or google search.
J.
May 4th, 2022
The fishing season is in full swing despite the high winds. Anglers have been reporting catches of trout from Mundo up to 21" and one report indicated mouse patterns may not be the new hot fly for Embom.
As more and more folks are out fishing please be respectful of other anglers. Everyone wants to have a good time and an abundance of courtesy can ensure everyone does. The boat ramp is for launching boats, not for fishing, boat rigging, or frisbee. Please enjoy the lake but remember the best fishing in Northern New Mexico draws in a lot of people and if you think this is your secret spot, you are not alone.
Hopefully, the winds die down but until they do be careful in small craft.
J.
April 28th, 2022
Folks,
Fishing season has begun in full force, despite the high winds, dust, and generally less than optimal weather. Reports are trickling in and indicate excellent fishing at Mundo using every manner of technique. Flies with orange and coneheads or beads to get down and lures and baits of the common variety are all productive. Rainbow trout from 8" to 20" have been reported as well as some large catfish up to eight pounds.
No reports from Embom have been submitted and I'd say you are missing out if you don't try it sooner rather than later.
A lot of folks are using the online permit portal, some with better success than others. The number one issue as it appears is the card issuer (the fishermen's card company) declining the purchase as the address does not match what they have on file. Also, just a reminder if you enter the wrong e-mail address twice and do not receive your permit that is your responsibility, not the JGFD's. Read the terms of service as well as all other provided information before purchasing a permit.
Go fishing,
J.
Fire Ban
April 18th, 2022
Folks,
Fishing reports are trickling in mostly from Mundo. Most reports included a "pushed off the lake earlier than expected by the wind" comment. The afternoon winds have been brutal and I would be very careful on the lakes with boats especially float tubes or other unpowered craft. Don't forget your tennis shoes just in case you have to walk back to the truck. No one wants to walk a mile in wader booties, and I've given a few unfortunate souls rides of shame back to their trucks in the past. The surface temperature at the lakes has been around 49 degrees.
Reports have indicated on average 2-4 fish an hour on flies from leeches, wooly worms, midges, and nymphs. No bait or lure reports have been submitted. The largest fish reported was 18" with an average of 14-16" on Rainbow Trout. Many fly anglers have also been getting into catfish with some over 20".
One report from Stone Lake indicated no catches but visuals on many small sub-catchable trout which were stocked this spring. Hopefully, these little guys continue to grow and should be catchable-plus in time for fall fishing.
No reports from Embom have been submitted. Today the Fish Crew installed water quality equipment into Embom. This equipment records temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH. A buoy can be seen on the southeast side of the lake. PLEASE AVOID THIS BOUY. If you snag the line or buoy break off your snagged tackle. DO NOT TAMPER with the equipment as it is collecting important environmental data needed to continue to provide excellent fishing. This type of equipment is deployed in Stone, Embom, and Mundo and the same rules apply to all equipment.
Be careful out there this wind surely is very strong and it may be best to avoid the afternoons in general until it calms down.
J.
April 11th, 2022
No fishing reports have been submitted as of yet. The road to Mundo has been graded and all gates are now open at Mundo and Embom.
Send fishing reports. I know we are selling permits so someone out there has been fishing. The weather has been very windy, so that may need to be taken into consideration when planning a trip.
Hope all is well,
J.
March 31st, 2022
The less than best half of the Fish Crew will be on vacation next week. That means there will not be a blog post next week. Hence a two-fer this week. This also means e-mails and phone calls will be returned the week of the 11th.
As of this afternoon, the ice conditions are rapidly changing with the warm temps and high winds:
Mundo: 80% open water (camping access gate is still closed as the road is impassable, the main road is rutted and 4x4 recommended. The road will be graded as soon as conditions allow.)
Stone 95% open water
Embom: 30% open water (the gate is still closed as the road is unpassable currently, walk-in access only)
If you are using the online permit system please read the instructions, it's not complicated but there are rules, and those rules are there for a reason. If you do not want to use the online system you can always still come swing by the office in Dulce during normal business hours and get your permit the old-fashioned way. No outside permit vendors will be selling Jicarilla fishing permits.
On a side note if you call the Fish Crew and leave a message please include your phone number so we can call you back. Despite our amazing memory, we do not have everyone's numbers on speed dial.
Enjoy your weekend.