Inside Cibola’s 2025 Fish Releases
CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. — As the sun climbs higher and the shoreline at Bluewater Lake draws farther back with each dry summer week, one thing remains clear: the fish are still biting, and it’s thanks in large part to a busy and strategic fish stocking season across Cibola County.
From March through early May, more than 11,000 rainbow trout were released into Bluewater Lake, transforming the spring fishing season into one of the most memorable in recent years. Meanwhile, Grants Riverwalk Pond— an urban gem tucked within the city—saw not only trout deliveries but a pair of warm-water channel catfish stockings aimed at keeping the local fishing scene lively through the heat of summer.
Bluewater’s Spring Surge
It all started on March 10, when the Red River Trout Hatchery delivered the first large batch of rainbow trout to Bluewater Lake. A total of 6,000 triploid rainbows, each averaging 10 inches in length, were released into the cool spring waters. With winter snowmelt still trickling through the watershed, the timing was ideal. The trout remained active and near the surface, making for an explosive early bite.
A second round of stockings in late March reinforced the population, just as shoreline anglers began reporting fast limits and full stringers. Garlic PowerBait, Rooster Tails, and chrome Kastmasters were among the top baits as temperatures began to rise and anglers flocked to the lake for spring break and Easter weekend.
By the end ofApril, two additional trout stockings had occurred—one from Red River and one from Lisboa Springs Hatchery— bringing the total count to over 11,000 trout stocked in just eight weeks. Nearly every report published between mid-March and early May referenced successful trout outings, with some anglers pulling in five-fish limits in under an hour.
Notably, this spring’s stocking plan emphasized the use of triploid rainbow trout, which are sterile and grow larger more quickly due to energy conservation from not reproducing, according to New Mexico Game and Fish. Their presence not only boosts catch rates, but supports sustainable fisheries management by reducing long-term strain on the ecosystem.
A Summer Shift
As June arrived, trout activity naturally began to taper. The lake’s volume— once above 10,000 acrefeet— began a steady seasonal drawdown, dropping below 8,000 acre-feet by mid-June and nearing 6,400 by late July.
Despite the decline in volume and the absence of any new stockings since early May, anglers continued to report success throughout June and early July thanks to strong holdover fish Some of the biggest trout catches of the season were landed well after the final stocking date, with multiple 22- to 23-inch rainbows caught using Peach Glitter and Orange Power-Bait in early June.
Grants Riverwalk is Quiet, but Stocked
Grants Municipal Pond also saw consistent attention from hatcheries this year, albeit at a smaller scale.
The pond was stocked at least four times between March and April with rainbow trout, including a delivery of 1,200 trout on April 10. Each of these deliveries averaged 10 inches in length, mirroring the Bluewater stocking profile. In total, just under 4,000 trout were stocked at Riverwalk Park during the spring season.
But the real summer story came in the form of catfish.
On May 22 and again on June 26, New Mexico Game & Fish partnered with a private hatchery to deliver 133 channel catfish each time—266 fish total, each measuring around 18 inches. These warm-water introductions marked the beginning of summer angling at the pond, where catfish are more tolerant of heat and shallower conditions.
While angler reports from Riverwalk Pond have been sparse, the pond remains stocked and viable— particularly in the early mornings and evenings when temperatures cool.
More Than Just Fish
Beyond the numbers, these stockings represent something deeper: access, memory-making, and community. Dozens of photos submitted to the Cibola Citizen this spring featured proud kids, smiling grandparents, and visiting families who stumbled upon a perfect afternoon by the water.
In a county where recreation opportunities can be limited by distance or cost, fishing remains one of the most accessible ways to connect with the outdoors. Thanks to strategic stocking, that opportunity continues— even in the heat of July.