I know this is the Texas Fishing Forum but has anyone here ever fished at Ute in New Mexico?

It's a 2 hour drive but the closest lake that still has water in it.

Yes many times, I live in ABQ and in East Texas for longer vacations and such.

For right now? White bass just troll in the river channel from the dam to Watson Island. The bends and edges of shallow water are good.

www.tackleboxlogan.com These guys are good to talk to.

Places I have caught white bass in the past you don't have to go far.

Probably going to be fishing it primarily in Spring, Summer, and early Fall.

Ben if you bass fish check out Golden Spread Bassmasters. We fish some tournaments over there. BTW I'm in the big city of Canyon as well.

Cool!

I've tried doing some of the winter trout fishing around here but I'm not a fan. Growing up in central Texas, we just waited until it warmed up.

I know the lake well give me a bit of time ill get ya some info

Well, I was thinking about getting a 2 man boat but I don't have a place to store it at my house.
http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...Bo#Post10486491

I decided against it just because the only time I would use it would be when visiting parents and regardless of where we were going, I'd have to pick everything up at my parents house.

My wife is now encouraging me to get a kayak even though the reason for the 2 man boat was so that someone else could go and the 2 man would've been less than a kayak.

I have been fishing in a kayak and I did enjoy it. I'm actually planning on renting a kayak to make sure I still enjoy it when we go to my in-laws at the end of March/beginning of April so my wife can go antiquing at Round Top.

Plus if I do still enjoy it, at least I could get out of the house and just go paddle around at Meredith until the lake comes back or go to Ute if I have the time and want to do some fishing.

I was a little curious at what Lake Meredith has been doing with the rain we got this last summer. Considering last time I saw it in 2013, it was about 100 feet low and has come up 16.5', it's at least a turn towards the lake coming back.

They're saying we will get some good rains in the summer of 2015, but overall it will be drier and a little hotter than normal so I hope it won't erase too much of the gains made with the clearing of the Canadian River channel.

Here are a some pictures I took.

If you fish Ute Lake in the spring thru fall most of your fish will be smallmouth around 1.0-2.0 lbs. Mid-summer tournaments are won with 7-9 lbs for one day tournaments. In team tournaments the weights will be around 12-14 lbs for 5 fish limits.
Bigger blacks will be 4-5 lbs but most smaller and no many. Walleye fishing can be good at times. Regardless of species you fish for...expect the catch rate to be low and fishing tough.
Your pics of lake Meredith show a nice lake. But, as far as I can tell the only fish being caught there now are catfish. The water looks great after a 6' rise this past summer but after the algae kill the game fish just are not there and no plans to restock the lake. That's too bad because before the algae kill and lowering of the water level due to municipal pumping contracts and drought conditions, the lake had some really nice fish in it.

They won't do some stocking if the lake keeps coming up?

It has a ways to go but at least it's improving.

Both Ute and Conchas are really nice lakes. You can catch a lot of fish whites, walleye, smallmouth and largemouth. Haven't been there is a long time but we used to do good on luhr jensens down by the dam at Ute. If you are in a Kayak you fish by the ramps and have a good time. Also in spring you can fish shallower with SB throwing past the bushes and burning it back. Try calling Smith RV & Marine, Kevin is a good guy and knows the lakes well. He always took care of me back when I was stationed in Cannon AFB.

7-9 a day now taking ute? Wow we did better than that no more than a few years ago what a bummer the low water must be taking its toll

They won't stock it cause the NPS really doesn't want people out there same reason they don't stock stilling basin with trout

www.utelakefishnfun.com/ Ben's reports are usually pretty accurate.

Ute and Conchas are worth the drive, Conchas is a great smallmouth lake when conditions are right in next 2 months you can kill them throwing a small lizards or baby brush hog in watermelon red, Ute I like for Walleyes and whites, bottom bouncing with a crawler rig produces lots of walleyes for me , in august the whites surfacing are great. Any questions you can give me a call 806-681-3372 .