New Mexico Walleyes

[eyewall]

I know that there are a few of you out there that are walleye fisherman in New Mexico. Here is my situation, I am currently entertaining the thought of a job in your state and was wondering what the fishing is like in the area(Santa Fe). I have a boat and she'll be coming along, just wondering what to expect. I have really only fished walleyes in the North here (MI, MN, WI, Ect.) and never gone for them in the south. Any thoughts or reccomendataions would be great. I ahve fished in the South and am a pretty avid trout fisherman (flies) which I know is prevalent in the area, just wondering what other opportunities there area. Other Species are great too.

You can post or email me if you like

Thanks, Joe

Email: jmmoro00@yahoo.com

[pwrfshn]

Eyewall,

Welcome (maybe)!

I moved from NE WI in '93 and assumed there was no good fishing (my ignorance). Bought a boat in late 01 and went from a 17' foot Old Towne Canoe with a 9.9, to a Lund 16 Rebel SS, and now to a 1800 Pro V IFS. On the water every weekend, however it is a drive. Look at a map and you will understand what I mean.

NM is a great place to fish, although I miss the open water of the lakeshore and Sand Bay where we had our cottage. Abiquiu is a Walleye fisherman's heaven. My website will be up soon and you can read some archives from this year ans see some pics of the fish as well.

You would be located closest to Abiquiu, the best Walleye fishery IMHO. Conchas, Santa Rosa, and Ute lakes all have a great population of Walleye and other species. Elephant Butte is our largest reservoir just 3 hours south of Santa Fe and 2 hours South of Albuquerque.

The sad news, like many other places, is that we are very, very low on water. Abiquiu has been drained and will not be filled until we have significant water. It can be fished from a boat you can carry to the water. Conchas and Santa Rosa are low, but boatable now. Ute will always be full as it is a recreational lake. Elephant Butte is low, but has a ton of water to fish and Walleye. The Butte also contains Striper and is probably the second best landlocked Striper fishery next to Cumberland. South of the Butte is Caballo, a Walleye sleeper reservoir. Not many, myself included, can drive by the Butte knowing the next State Record is lurking in there, Striper that is. NM Game and Fish does a great job stocking Walleye in many waters and there are many I haven't fished.

Let me know if you have more questions and if you are out and want to fish, let me know. Not a paid trip, just fishing with a fellow WC member.

You can also call Charlie's in Albuquerque and ask for Bryan, Bill, or Chuck and let them know what you are considering. 505 275 3006 If you move here, you will spend many hours there. They are the best shop in the state and also some very experienced sticks that work behind the counters.

Good luck,

[eyewall]

Thanks for the Info, I appreciate it. I know if will be hard to leave the great north and saginaw bay but what can a guy do. I don't know what to think about these carry down lakes, 1900 pro v gets a little heavy. I would definately be interested in hooking up litterally and figuratively if I end up there. Find out next week hopefully.

Thanks, Joe

[Atomic Eye]

You also have a choice of warm water vs cold water fishes. One of the top trout waters in the west is in northwestern New Mexico. It is the San Juan River right below Navajo Lake (near Farmington). The quality water (catch & release, barbless hooks) can produce some great trout (20 -28") on tiny (size 24 - 28)flies. I haven't fish it in quite a while because I can't tie such small hooks anymore.

On a per surface acre basis, no lake is stocked more heavily with WE fry than Cochiti which is only 30 minutes from Santa Fe.

There is much less ice fishing here because the winter climate is a lot more mild than the upper midwest. Also, the summers are a lot more moderate than the upper midwest in temperature with lower humidity.

I used to fish ~110X/yr when I lived in Madison, Wi and that decreased tremendously when I moved here in 1973 because there are so many other things to do in addition to fishing - the arts, music, the Santa Fe Opera, Chamber Music Festival, excellent world class restaurants, mountain hiking & biking, downhill & XC skiing, plus more.

The "Access Guide" book on Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Taos can give you some insight to the landlocked features here.

Atomic Eye (New Mexico) -- "Gone Fission!" ~~~<}}}:>