Jicarilla Fishing Blog
January 30th, 2024
Seems like it was a very busy and fishy weekend out at the lakes but sadly I only recieved a report from one group. Lucky the fishing is so easy and you all are such good anglers you don't need any help from me. Remember if you submit a report by the 31st, you are entered to win a Los Pinos Fly and Tackle Gift Card!
Weather continues to be very unseasonably warm and temperatures above 50 are expected this week, with nighttime temperatures above freezing. Road conditions can be muddy, and ice sheets are not liking the temperatures. Lots of slush and hidden soft spots have been noticed.
Stone Lake: 2.5" clear ice and 2.5" cloudy packed. High potential for slush on the sheet in the afternoon
Mundo Lake: 3" clear ice and 2.5" cloudy packed. Some snow on the sheet with a high potential for slush on the sheet in the afternoon.
Embom Lake: 2.5" of clear ice and 3.5" cloudy packed.
January 25th, 2024
Quick update: It is currently snow/raining and it did not freeze last night. Extremely muddy on the road into Mundo and the spillway.
Stone Lake: 3.5" ice and 1.5" of slush
Mundo: 5.5" ice and 1.5" of slush, you can see runoff entering the lake from the rain and snowmelt in areas around the lake.
Embom: 5" of ice and 2" of slush
January 23rd, 2024
Folks,
This isn't news to anyone who has been watching the weather but it is in the mid-forties here today with it expected to get to the low fifties over the weekend. It is sad to think this is the start of mud season. The region currently is in Extreme Drought according to the US Drought Monitor and the thought that winter might sputter out is a little hard to grasp in mid-January. Fingers crossed she will come back for a few more months of ice and snow.
The ice sheets are all very dynamic and as of this morning all sheets had inches of water on top of them and holes drilled over the weekend did not re-freeze overnight, insult to injury was the light rain that fell yesterday. As we did not have highly developed ice sheets this is cause for concern and great caution around the ice.
Stone Lake: 3.5" ice and 2" of water and slush on top of the sheet. Holes from the weekend did not re-freeze by Tuesday morning
Embom: 4.5" of ice 1" of slush and 1" of water on top of the sheet.
Mundo: 5.5" of ice and 1" of slush and water on the sheet, looks like areas of the lake are beginning to thaw. 45 degrees at the lake during inspection.
Prizes
After a busy holiday season, we were able to meet up with our lucky winners.
Submit reports and help others while entering yourself to win some sweet stuff!
Mr. Paul from Espanola, N.M.
Mr. Madden from Dulce, N.M.
January 17th, 2024
Folks,
It seems this is a good time to remind everyone that fishing is done at your own risk. Ice fishing is inherently dangerous and there is no such thing as "safe ice". There are countless resources online to teach good ice fishing practices, and sadly we see quite a few anglers each year ignore them. The Fish Crew recommends you carry self-rescue equipment and equipment to help others when on the ice. YOUR SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
Currently, there is a lot of variation in the ice sheets. We have been checking conditions mid-afternoon.
Stone: Still some open water present which is kind of a clue. 4" ice near the south boat ramp 50 feet offshore. The East Ramp only has 2" weak edges. Lots of pressure ridges and high variation throughout the sheet.
Enbom: 3" of ice and 2" of slush on the ice near the dam.
Mundo: 4.5"of ice 3-4" of slush.
Allegedly there is rain and warmer temps in the future...Strange times.
On a side note the Department joined forces with the best brick-and-mortar tackle shop around, Los Pinos Fly & Tackle in the big metropolis of Albuquerque, and now have a lot of exciting prizes for future giveaways. Maybe we start with the best fishing report of the remainder of January is up for a $50 gift card. Been seeing quite a few videos online of Jicarilla fishing mislabeled as New Mexico public waters, cracks me up when people think they are going to keep the best fishing in the state a secret...
January 11th, 2024
Folks,
Shockingly not much to report. The snow we are getting today is great, but it is hiding a lot of bad ice and sketchy spots in newly formed sheets. This is only the second year in my ten-year tenure where we did not have 100% coverage the second week in January. Ice fishing isn't ready yet.
Embom: 2-4" of ice weak edge and pressure ridges before snowfall today
Stone: 95% covered, weak edge and pressure ridges visible before snowfall today
Mundo: 95% covered, edges large pressure ridges visible before snowfall today
The Department will be closed on Monday in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will reopen on Tuesday the 16th. Look for an update then.
J.
January 8th, 2024
Folks,
The weather seems to be in flux, with 8 " of snow over the last two days and hopefully a few more storms on the way. We need it.
Today's afternoon ice check:
Stone 90% ice coverage less than 2" of ice and 2" of slush See the Photo below for conditions January 8th, 2024 1:30 this afternoon.
Embom 100% coverage 3" of ice and 2" of slush near the south side dam.
Mundo 90% coverage of less than 2" of ice See photo below for conditions January 8th, 2024 at 2:30 in the afternoon.
Happy New Year
Folks,
What a roller coaster of a "winter". Yesterday (1/3/24) There was open water at all three lakes. One angler was fishing from the dam on Mundo yesterday, one angler has been posting photos on the fishing boards of an excellent New Years open water catches at Embom. Pretty cool way to wrap up 2023.
Open water is quickly coming to and end Embom 95% covered, Stone 90% (only open water in the middle of the lake), Mundo 90% covered. The ice sheets are showing lots of signs of movement still but should be stabilizing as they close up.
Allegedly there is a cold blast coming in the next week so we will keep you updated on conditions as we get into next week.
J.
Ice Report 12/27
Folks,
Seems like the ice is going backwards... No ice sheets ready for fishing yet and warm day time temps...
Stone 90% covered
Embom 90% covered
Mundo 75% covered
We'll keep ya updated as the situation develops.
Happy New Year!
J.
Christmas 2023
Folks,
Merry Christmas from the Jicarilla Game & Fish Department! We will be updating the ice condition report mid week so check back for that.
Just a quick update-
Two individuals have been selected for the sit on top kayaks:
Paul M. a long time angler & Maddie V. a first time angler. Pretty neat if you ask us.
Their pictures are below:
