By Mile Smith
Artesia Daily Press

Fall officially hits New Mexico Sunday morning why not celebrate with a trip to a favorite fishing spot.

According to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), in the Carlsbad area fishing was fair to good for catfish using cut bait and worms at Bataan Lake.

Fishing for bass at Brantley Lake was fair using Whopper Popper lures.

Catfishing at Spring River Pond in Roswell was fair using shrimp bait.

Around Truth or Consequences, fishing for bass was good using crankbaits, drop-shot rigs and red-and-white Bomber lures at Elephant Butte Lake. Fishing for white bass was good using white slab spoons and chrome Kastmaster lures.

Fishing for walleye was good using Wally Diver lures, chartreuse grubs and silver spinners.

Fishing for striped bass was fair using white slab spoons and silver Kastmaster lures. Fishing for crappie was very good using live minnows near the Dam Site Marina. Fishing for catfish was good using live minnows and shrimp.

Along the Rio Grande below Elephant Butte Dam on Tuesday morning streamflow was 919 cubic feet per second (cfs). Fishing for catfish was good using shad near Hatch.

In eastern New Mexico, Fishing for walleye was fair using green Wally Diver lures at Santa Rosa Lake. The boat ramp remains closed until the lake returns to a safe level from monsoon rains and runoff from recent water releases.

Streamflow along the Pecos River near Fort Sumner was 95 cfs Monday morning. Fishing for catfish was good using chicken breasts and cut bait.

In Lincoln County, Alto Lake remained closed due to extensive damage from summer fires around Ruidoso.

Fish stocking operations resumed at Bonito Lake as it reopened Aug. 30. Trout fishing was fair to good using Panther Martin spinners.

Fishing for trout at Grindstone Lake was good using worms.

This fishing report, provided by the Department of Game and Fish in cooperation with Dustin Berg of www.gounlimited.org, has been generated from the best information available from area officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.