11/13/13

Water temp = 58 degrees   lake about 8-9 feet low ,  water stained in both the main lake and arms,

Fishing is finally starting to pick up a bit.  I have lived here gong on 8 years now and I have never seen so much Gizard shad in the lake.  I think that this has been one reason that the fishing has been slow. 
Channal Catfish remain on a very good bite.  Stink baits and liver will produce them.  Fish near brush in 6-10 feet of water for best results.
White bass can be caught using Swim slabs and blade baits in 20-35 feet of water. Fish near the main channel.  White or silver lures are the colors of choice.
Walleye are still a hit or miss, but at least there are some being caught.  Slabbing in 30 foot of water near the main channel can be productive.   The Ute arm has not been very productive for me.  I have been fishing from the dam to the golf course.
As the temperature cools down, the fishing should only get better.
Friday (15th) I will recieve a batch of large Fathead minnows.  A jig with a minnow is also an excellent way to catch fish this time of year.

FISH-ON,

Rob & Maria

Water temp = 77 degrees,  main lake clear, arms are moderarly stained.

The lake is 15 feet from being full.  Fishing for most species is holding its own,  but certain days can be pretty tough to catch a bunch of fish.  There seems to be a little bit of a morning bite.

 Lee from Carlsbad and Russel from Hobbs with 8 Walleye

Russel Berrymen from Hobbs with a nice 22 inch Walleye taken while trolling.

Water temp = 77 degrees, main lake clear,  arms stained

Fishing remains good for most species.  The White bass are really starting to school up and boil the water while chasing the shad.  The weather the last few days has been extemely hot .  I have heard from some water skiers that they are even sweating while they ski ---now that is HOT!!!

White bass--GOOD--Throw spinners or crank baits when you see a boil. Trolling in the Ute has also been effective.  shallow divers are better than deepp divers.
Channel Cats--EXCELLENT--Stinks baits and chicken livers are working well.  Fish in / near brush in 3-6 feet of water.  They are also being caught in 30 feet of water using crawlers.
Walleye--GOOD to EXCELLENT--Trolling near brush or fishing crawlers in the 20-30 feet of water.  Morning bite or the sunset bite is the best. 
Crappie--SLOW--No reports.
Bass--FAIR to GOOD--Many smallies being caught on about anything near rocky points.  Large mouth are in the trees and secondary points off the main lake.  Top water early is good.  Go deeper as the day goes on.

Fire works on July 6th .
Street dance on July 5th
Bean feed on July 6th
Cocktails ---all year

FISH-ON

Rob and Maria

Penny Norris from Hobbs N.M. with a 22.5 inch Walleye and the rest of her catch.

Main lake lightly stained, river arms stained.  Water temp = 74 degrees , Lake is approx. 16 feet low.

Fishing is picking up everyday.  It got pretty tough after the latest gully washer, but you are now able to catch quite a few fish once again.

Walleye--GOOD--Minnows /crawlers fished in 10-30 feet of water near the main lakes channel will produce fish.  Trolling crank baits along brush lines and sometimes out in the channel will also catch some suspended fish.

White bass--GOOD--Trolling crank baits up past Watson is the best place.  I'm still catching a few crappie while using this same tactic.

Channel cats --EXCELLENT--stink baits or chicken liver fished in 2-6 feet of water near brush will hammer them.

Crappie--FAIR--Still catching some trolling,  but minnows up the Canadian is the better place to be.

Smallmouth bass--GOOD--any rocky flat will produce many 12 inchers. Deeper rocky points are where a few bigger ones are hanging out.

Largemouth bass--FAIR--have not heard much about them.  They should be up in the coves and brush getting ready to spawn.  Spinner baits early and late are a good bet.

Make sure to get your fishing license on-line b-4 you get to the lake.

FIREWORKS are JULY 6th (Saturday evening)

FISH-ON,

Rob & Maria

 Richard and Roxy from Roswell with supper.

 Dace from Clovis with his fish caught trolling.

 Steve and Elizabeth from Amarillo  some Walleye and White bass

Hayden Teague from Littleton, Co. with a Walleye caught on 6/7/13.

Water Temp = 67 degrees, water clarity 3-4 feet,  15-16 feet from being full.

Fishing had been really good up until Wed. (6/5/13) when 2-3 inches of rain fell in about 1 hour along with 1-2 inches of hail.  The wind also was blowing around 50-60 MPH.  The water temp dropped a few degrees. Both the Ute and Canadian drainages were running for about 2 days ---water level came up only a few inches, but it really turned the fishing into a tough bite.  We have lived here 7 years and I have never seen any water flowing from the arroyos behind our house. On Wed. evening there was 6-7 feet deep rapids flowing ---it was nice to see!!!
My experience on Ute Lake is that it usually takes 3-4 days for the fishing to really get back to where it was.

Walleye--FAIR--Fish are still being caught, but you really need to work to get one or two.  Trolling brush lines  and crawlers in 15 feet of water will catch a couple.

Crappie--FAIR--Minnows up the Canadian will put a few in the boat.  They are now spawning --fish near brush.

Catfish--FAIR to GOOD--Stink baits fished up the Canadian in 3-6 feet of water near brush will get you 5-6 fish.

Small and Large mouth bass--FAIR--Plastics on the flats early and then grubs fished on the rocky points as the day goes on.

White bass--FAIR--Trolling crank baits over the main lake channel along with the mouth of the Ute will catch a few.

Make sure to buy your fishing license on-line b-4 you get to the lake.  You can also call 1-888-248-6866 M-F 8 am - 5pm and get one over the phone.

FISH-ON,

Rob and Maria

Lee, Russel and George with their limits of Walleye taken in late May.

Water temp = 70 degrees, water clarity 6-8 feet in the main lake,  16 feet from being full.

Walleye continue to be on a great bite.  Night crawlers / minnows fished in 20-25 feet of water near the main channel will catch a few.  Trolling is another method to catch some supper.  Stop by the shop for the best colors and locations.

White bass --Trolling from the Dam to Romero will catch them.  Lighter colored lures are preferred.

Crappie are hitting trolled lures, but they are starting to move up into the brush to spawn.  Minnows and bobbers up the Canadian is a place to start.

Small mouth fishing is red hot.  You will catch many 12-13 inch fish b-4 you catch a keeper---plastics or real night crawlers is the meal ticket.  Rocky points on the main lake and the secondary points are good places to start.

Channel cats are really starting to be on a great bite.  Fish chicken liver at the mouth of coves and the back of them in 3-6 feet of water.

Large mouth are starting to have a top water bite in the early morning.  I have seen a few caught, but not that many once the sun comes up.

FISH-ON,

Rob & Maria

 Gary and Rebbeca with fish taken 5/10/13

 Selma and Danny with fish caught on 5/12/13

 Bruce and Bubba Norris from Hobbs N.M. with fish taken 5/15/13

 Hadley, Miles and their dad  with fish caught on 5/17/13

 Tom Gandy with a 26 inch --  5.5 pound Walleye taken 5/18/13

Tom and wife Mary with fish caught on 5/18/13

Water temp 65 degrees,  water clarity 6-8 feet.  Water level ----16 feet from being full ---72 feet from being a dust bowl.

Fishing has been excellent for the last week or two.  I have had several guiding trips that have landed many fish into a frying pan.  Trolling has been very productive for  my clients and I.  Working bottom bouncers in 20-30 feet has also been producing some fish.  Stop by the store for the best color and location to go fish. 

Walleye--EXCELLENT--Trolling around the edges of brush along with areas near the channel has been producing many fish.  Bottom bouncing crawlers and minnows has also been good---work the 20 to 30 foot range near the main channel.

White Bass--GOOD to EXCELLENT--I'm catching the Whites in the same areas and lures that I am using for the Walleye.

Crappie--GOOD to EXCELLENT--I'm catch the Crappie in the same areas and lures that I am using for the Walleye.  Minnows fished up in the brush with bobbers is producing good numbers up the Ute and Canadian arms.

Channel cats--GOOD to EXCELLENT--Liver and stink baits fished in 2-3feet of water in the back of coves is producing near limits.  Many 3-4 pound fish are being taken.

Small mouth bass--GOOD to EXCELLENT--I have stopped catching the Smallies, but mainly because I'm no longer fishing minnows in 10-15 feet of water near the main points of the lake.  The Small mouth remain on a great bite if you are fishing for them.

Large mouth bass--POOR to FAIR---Not much to report on them.  I have not seen or heard of many being caught.  I believe that when the water warms a bit more that this bite will improve.

Make sure to get your fishing license b-4 you get to the Lake. They are now done online at the N.M. game and fish web page.  You can get them here at the main park head quarters, but get ready to spend 20-30 minutes for each license.

FISH-ON,

Rob and Maria

 My dad's whitetail shot in 1963 in Iowa ---never mounted until now --a monster

 Jerry from Idaho with his sister Dina from Logan fish caught 5/1/13

 Eric and his dad Brad from Artesia, N.M. with fish caught 5/3/13

Bill and Chris from Houston, Tx. with some of their fish taken 5/5/13

Water temp 55-60 degrees ---depending on time of day.  Main lake clarity around 6-7 feet.  Water level about 16 feet low.
Fishing has been pretty good the last week.  A cold front slowed it down for a day or two,  but you could still catch fish.  Trolling is really starting to get going for the White bass.  Walleye are still hitting minnows and crawlers in 10-16 feet of water.  The small mouth are really heating up --quite a few 3-4 pounders are being caught and a bunch of 12-13 inchers are biting.  It rained yesterday (1/2 inch) and man did it feel good ---I forgot how good it feels and smells.

Walleye--GOOD to EXCELLENT--Trolling crank baits along the brush line has been productive along with minnows fished near the channel in 10-16 feet of water.  I have seen a 6 and 8 pounder caught last weekend.  If you are fishing minnows near the channel be ready to catch about 5 Smallies to every Wally.

White bass--GOOD to EXCELLENT--Trolling from the dam to horseshoe will produce fish.  The horse shoe area is probably the better area --troll both the shoreline and the channel to locate the schools.

Small mouth--GOOD--Fish the points on the main lake to catch a bunch.  Minnows in 4-15 feet will catch large numbers of 12-13 inch fish.  Plastics have been producing larger fish in slightly deeper water, but still near the major points and flats.

Crappie--FAIR---I have caught a few while trolling and I have heard about some nice catches coming from the upper Ute creek area in the timber.  This should only get better as the water warms.

Large mouth--SLOW--I have not seen to many of them caught lately.  Again, once the water warms this bite should improve

Catfish--SLOW to FAIR--Chicken liver and stink baits will catch a few fish.  Fish shallow water and move around until you locate them.

FISH-ON,

Rob & Maria

P.S.  Don't forget to get your fishing license On-line before you get to the lake.  Go to N.M. fish and game web page

 Doug from Colorado and Roy from New York with some nice Walleye taken 4/24/13.

 Lyle, Mike, Brandi and Donna from Colorado and Oklahoma with a good mess of Walleye taken 4/27/13

Donna Anderson with her lomit of Walleye taken 4/28/13

Water Temp = 56 degrees   water clarity 6-8 feet in main lake.  Lake level is currently 16 feet from going over dam.

We have been catching quite a few walleye the last week using crawlers or minnows fished in 10-16 feet of water near the primary points of the main lake between the dam and the confluence of the Ute creek.  Trolling has also been producing a few Walleye,  but White bass are hitting better than Walleye when trolling.

Walleye--EXCELLENT--Minnows/crawlers in 10-16 feet of water on the bottom using Carolina rigs or bottom bouncers.  Trolling near the shore line will also produce a few fish.

White bass--GOOD to EXCELLENT--Trolling crank baits up near Horseshoe will produce a few fish.  Mine Canyon area is also a good place to troll.

Small mouth--GOOD to EXCELLENT--CRank baits or plastics or live bait fished in 6-16 feet of water will produce many 10-13 inch fish. Bigger ones are hard to come by, but you will catch one here and there.

Large mouth--POOR to FAIR--I have not seen many caught and have not heard of any good reports. I expect them to start moving up if the water continues to warm.

Crappie--POOR--no reports except for a few being caught at night off of the marina using lights.

Catfish--POOR to FAIR--Everyday is different with these critters.  The bite should improve with warmer water temps.

REMEMBER TO PURCHASE YOUR FISHING LICENSES ON-LINE BEFORE YOU GET TO THE LAKE. (WE ARE NO LONGER SELLING THEM LIKE IN YEARS PAST)

FISH-ON,

Rob and Maria

4/23/13

 Jo and Milton Pool from Amarillo with 3 nice Walleye taken 4/22/13

 Russel Barryman from Hobbs N.M. with a bunch of White bass taken 4/21/13

 Ron Grady & Dale O'Rear from Carlsbad with a 6 1/2 pound Walleye taken 4/19/13

Russel Barryman with our limit of Walleye taken 4/20/13

Water temp = 55 degrees    Main lake clarity 7-8 feet.    Lake level 16 ft low.
I have had quite a few trips the last week and all I can say is that the Walleye and White bass are on a pretty good bite.  We have also caught at least 50 Smallies the last week while fishing for Walleye-----the biggest Smallie was maybe 14 inches, but they are feisty little buggers.

Walleye---EXCELLENT-- Minnows fished in 10-20 feet of water near the main channel, trolling crank baits near Romero along with jigs tipped with crawlers and tossed near shore will all produce fish.  99% of all walleye caught are males that are milking.  I did see one female caught that was caught trolling  up the Ute that went about 6 1/2 pounds(see picture)

White bass--EXCELLENT--Trolling crank baits near the Ranch house along with around Roger's park area will produce fish. Later in the day when the water warms up a bit more seems to be the best bite.

Catfish---POOR to FAIR--Chicken liver and stink baits are the best bet.  Some days produce some fish and then the next day won't.

Small and Large mouth bass --POOR to FAIR----Quite a few small fish are being caught, but I have not heard of many larger fish being caught.  As the water warms this bite should really improve.

Crappie--POOR to FAIR--A few are being caught up the Ute with minnows in 5-6 feet of water.

FISH-ON,
Rob and Maria

P.S. Remember to buy your license online from N.M. dept. of Fish and Game ---we no longer are a license vender.

                   Kent and Tim with Whites and Walleye caught on 4/12/13

                   Tim and Kent with Whites, Walleye and cats caught on 4/13/13


Water temp = 50 degrees in the morning/54 degrees in the afternoon.
Water clarity 7-8 feet in the main lake and 1-2 feet in the river arms.

We had a severe  cold front move in here on 4/8 and 4/9/13 which brought 20 degree temps and slowed our bite down a bit.  Our water temps are just about where they were b-4 the front moved in and the bite should start heating up once again.

I have had a couple of trips the last few days and we had to earn every fish that we caught.  They are not jumping into the boat, but persistence will pay off in the long run.

White bass ---FAIR--- Trolling crank baits from the dam to Horseshoe will produce some fish. 

Walleye ---SLOW to FAIR--- This bite will get much better in a day or two.  The cold front really affects the bite for this species.  Minnows in 10 to 16 feet will produce a few along with trolling crank baits near the edge of the channel will also whack a few.  Again, by mid week I expect this bite to be good to excellent---we just need the water temp to get up to mid and upper 50's.

Catfish --GOOD to EXCELLENT--The above pictures speak for them selves.  Stink baits or chicken liver in 3-4 feet of water.  You may need to move from cove to cove, but sooner or later you should score a few.

Crappie ---POOR to SLOW---I have heard of a few being caught with minnows in 6-8 feet of water up the Ute.  I have yet to see a limit of them --- mostly a few being caught here and there.

Small and Large mouth bass ---A few are being caught, but not really much to report on.

NOTE:  Buy your license online before you get to the lake.  Walmart in Clovis has the written ones like in the past along with Alco in Tucumcari. 

FISH-ON,

Rob and Maria