Bluewater sees stronger trout reports after stockings
Diego Lopez, Editor
CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. Bluewater Lake had a lively week as fall temperatures began to settle across Cibola County.
One of the standout reports came from Isaiah Gurule, who caught his limit of trout within an hour using PowerBait. His success reflected a broader pattern this week, with trout fishing rated as
FAIR to GOOD.
PowerBait remains a dependable choice for anglers, particularly in the early morning or late afternoon. By contrast, tiger muskie activity remained SLOW, with most anglers reporting limited luck even when using chartreuse spinnerbaits.
Bluewater Lake was stocked twice this week with triploid rainbow trout by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
On October 20, 4,294 trout averaging just over 10 inches in length were released into the lake. The following day, on October 21, another 1,557 trout were delivered. In total, more than 5,800 fish were introduced into the water over the span of 48 hours, greatly increasing opportunities for anglers and helping to explain the improved trout bite.
Meanwhile, water levels at the lake continue their seasonal decline, though a brief rise was recorded in early October.
As of October 24, the lake stood at 4,802 acrefeet, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The brief spike in elevation around October 11 coincided with an intense period of rainfall across the region. The most recent 30-day precipitation maps show that much of Cibola County received between 150 percent and 300 percent of normal rainfall, which temporarily boosted lake inflows. That bump was short-lived, however, and levels have since resumed their downward trend as part of typical seasonal shifts and ongoing agricultural releases.
Boating conditions at Bluewater Lake remain
EXCELLENT.
The lake’s elevation is holding near 7,369.59 feet above sea level, with a surface area of approximately 483 acres and an estimated volume of 4,834 acre-feet.
Grants Riverwalk Pond
There were no reported catches this week from Grants Riverwalk Pond, and no new stocking occurred during this period.
However, the pond was last stocked with 200 rainbow trout on October 10, so anglers may still find some action, particularly in the early hours when the water is cool and fish are more active.
Share Your Fishing Story
If you land a muskie, catfish, or even just enjoy a peaceful day by the water, we want to hear about it. Send your photos, reports, or fishing tales to editor@cibolacitizen. com. Your stories help reflect the season and spirit of Cibola’s anglers.
Courtesy Photo