By Mike Smith
Carlsbad Current-Argus

Southeast and southwest New Mexico anglers need to pack the lines and lures this weekend as excellent fishing conditions are happening at lakes and streams, according to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

In the Carlsbad area, fishing for catfish was fair to good using cut bait and worms at Bataan Lake.

Fishing at Brantley Lake, between Carlsbad and Artesia, for bass was fair using Whooper Plopper lures.

In Roswell, fishing for catfish was fair to good using shrimp bait at Spring River Pond.

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

Fishing for white bass was good using red-and-white Booyah Prank poppers and chartreuse Model-A Bomber crankbaits.

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 exceptionally good using live near minnows near the Elephant Butte Dam Site Marina.

Fishing for catfish was good when using live minnows and shrimp.

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

Along the Pecos River near Fort Sumner, streamflow was 99 cfs as fishing for catfish was good using chicken breasts and cut bait.

At Santa Rosa Lake, fishing for walleye was fair using green Wally Diver lures. The boat ramp remained closed, and the lake is open for non-motorized vessels.

In Lincoln County, Alto Lake is closed due to extensive damage from the South Fork Fire.

Fishing for trout at Bonito Lake was fair using Panther Martin spinners. The lake reopened to fishing only on Aug. 30, per the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

All City of Alamogordo properties along the Rio Bonito and around Bonito Lake remained closed for any recreational activities at this time.

Fishing for trout at Grindstone Lake was good using worms.

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