Jicarilla Fishing Blog
August 8th, 2024
Quite the fun summer and almost rounding the corner into autumn, but not quite. Monsoon is in full effect with crazy rain, lighting and flooding. Many dirt roads will be impassable until it dries out. Highs in the 90's have been kind of a bummer for working, but all projects are moving along on schedule. The Mundo Camping area is still closed as construction has begun in earnest. The main access road to the spillway will be resurfaced which will require the access to the spillway be closed to public access when the that phase begins. Not yet, and of course we'll announce that here.
Mr. Joseph Vigil was selected as the winner of our photo contest. He submitted a great photo from his youth at Stone Lake.
Stay tuned for more contests as the year progresses, you never know what we'll come up with next.
No reports have been submitted.
Hope all is well,
J.
July 18th, 2024
Folks,
As promised Mundo Lake camping area will be closed to public access starting July 22nd and is anticipated to be closed for approximately 6 weeks.
This closure is to allow construction crews to renovate the camping area.
Further closures will be announced as the project progresses.
No reports have been submitted.
J.
July 10th, 2024
Folks,
Some quick updates: Little Beaver Weekend is July 19-21st and is probably going to be pretty darn busy. Lots of fun activities around town including every country boy's favorite, mud bogging. Our office will be closed July 19th in honor of Jicarilla Warriors Day.
Speaking with an angler the other day they mentioned seeing some suspicious angling activities, or maybe it was an emergency and they were unsure what to do. In cases such as these please Call Dulce Dispatch at 1(575) 759-3222. They can dispatch the appropriate law enforcement, medical, or fire staff. It is important to report violations when they are occuring, any tips leading to convictions may also bring a healthy reward.
Monday is the last day to submit historical photos of fishing the Jicarilla. I know there are some big fish photos from Dulce, La Jara, or elsewhere floating around and we'd love to see them. These are old photos we are looking for scanned from polaroids, etc. A winner will be selected by the Fish Crew for an awesome prize package.
Weeds are coming up, time to start thinking about transitioning from sinkers to bobbers. Water temperatures are high consider limiting catch and release angling or targeting warm water fish.
Consider submitting a fishing report if you like seeing new content on the blog. Despite the rumours the Fish Crew doesn't get to fish in the traditional sense all the time. Your reports make the blog possible.
J.
July 8th, 2024
Folks,
Based on the photos going around the internet the Fish Crew's thoughts on catch and release fishing when water temps are above 68 degrees seem to be going unheeded. Which really is a shame. I know most folks know more about fish and fishing than the Fish Crew, since they tell me that all the time but AI search bots even agree with me this time. 
You have a few more days to submit photos for the contest. Photos due July 15th.
No reports have been submitted.
J.
Return to the office (28June2024)
Folks,
The Fish Crew is now whole again, but one of us has a significant limp. Vacations can be hard on a guy. We have not recieved many entries to our giveway so please submit your historical photos of fishing the Jicarilla soon!
In our absence summer and somehow monsoon has hit with full steam. Lake tempertures are well past the safe and ethical catch and release zone. around 70 surface temp.
With the warmer temperatures aquatic vegetation growth is becoming obvious.
No fishing reports have been submitted.
Just normal summer stuff.
1/2 Fish Crew Leave
Folks,
This half of the fish crew is going on a long and some what needed boat ride and will not be around for the next two weeks so there will not be any updates until the last week of June.
The fire ban is still in effect, only propane stoves and grills are allowed.
Construction of the Mundo Lake Recreational Improvement Project will begin in July so plan for partial closures of camping facilities starting at the beginning of July 2024. Closures will be announced as the schedule for mobilization and groundbreaking is finalized.
I would like to take this time to remind folks, especially our catch and release trout anglers that water temperatures are beginning to rise and will soon be at the 65-68 degree danger zone. If you value your catch and release ethics and big trout these are the temperatures that warrant targeting warm water species or finding cooler locals to fish. Just because a fish "swam away strong" does not mean that it has a high survival post release, you'd swim away strong too if you just got off the hook. There are a myriad of environmental aspects that negatively impact trout survival as temperatures increase including pH, and lower dissolved oxygen. Carry a thermometer, it's a good piece of kit every angler should use.
In this down time of the blog we are starting a new competitive give away. Submit your best historical picture of one of the jicarilla lakes and be entered into a chance to win a prize package. It is a fantastic prize package. Think polaroids you'll have to scan of your Nonna with the Horse Lake monster from the 1970s and the like. The entries will be judged by the Fish Crew and a winner selected Mid-July. ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED TO jicarillafishqs@gmail.com by July 16th.
Let us all protect our resources and enjoy the summer.
J.
Mundo Spillway Closure
FYI Mundo Lake spillway will be closed Thursday June 6th, 2024. THIS THURSDAY. The JGFD is holding its annual youth education program this week and Thursdays events will be held at the spillway. The lake is still open to fishing but there will be a couple hundred kids and chaperons running around. This would be a great day to try one of the other lakes. Event ends a 2:00 (ish) and as soon as everything is cleaned up the spillway will be open again to the public.
J.
May 30th, 2024
Folks,
Getting great reports, easy fishing for the most and largest fish in the 4 corners. Some folks seem to be forgetful of the Proclamation at times. Know the limits and read the regulations. A lot of tickets for simple violations are being written. Save yourself and the warden the hassle and follow the rules.
We are still under a fire ban at the camping areas and lakes. Propane only for cooking. Please be very careful as we are having red flag days and there is quite a bit of smoke in the air already from fires around the state.
Mundo Update: Our contractors are surveying for Mundo Lake improvement over the next few weeks and we are planning on a July closure to the camping facilities first followed by a closure of the road to the spillway. We will keep you all updated as the plans become more refined.
Enjoy your weekend!
J.
May 20th, 2024
A few minor reports were submitted, but if you're waiting for reports you are already missing the best fishing in the Southwest.
All three lakes are cranking out 20 plus inch trout with almost humorous consistency, even beginners from Facebook are landing 25's. The folks online trying to act like they discovered us are pretty neat to see. Watching them realize we are one of the 50 best stillwaters in North America for a reason.
Cold snaps hopefully will keep us in good catch and release water temperatures for a little bit longer.
Best of luck.
J.
April 30th, 2024
Folks,
Nothing really new to report, fishing is still the best in the southwest. Fish over 22" being captured with an almost comical consistency.
Only one report was submitted from Mundo lake that said smaller fish were really interested in small mayfly imitations. Maybe what they say is true, this is not the quality waters and big fish eat big flies? If you are a catch and release person, this isn't 5x country, 3x is closer to minimum ethical. If you are a boater make sure your craft is safe and properly inflated before launching, also make sure it was cleaned, drained and dried before bringing it to the Nation to limit the spread of invasive species.
We are noticing with great fishing comes many anglers and we would like to remind folks fishing is fun and fishing this awesome isn't going to be your little secret. Be polite and courteous to all. Do not leave trailers in the lake while you fish, do not block ramps, be a good steward of our resources and kind to each other. The common sense rules like giving other anglers a wide berth and pack it in pack it out all still apply.
J.