BLUEWATER LAKE, N.M. – Fishing continued at Bluewater Lake this week, with boats on the water Saturday and at least one reported muskie catch. New Mexico State Parks has posted that algae is present in the water and that visitors should swim or recreate at their own risk. For families, anglers, boaters and pet owners, that advisory should be part of the plan before heading to the lake.
Bluewater Lake
At Bluewater Lake
State Park, fishing was reported as SLOW to FAIR for tiger muskie when using Panther Martin lures. Sometimes simple is better as tiger muskie fishing was reported as GOOD when using hot dogs. Corn PowerBait did not yield any bites this weekend, while fishing with regular PowerBait was SLOW
Despite the slower bite, there were quite a few people at the lake Saturday, and several boats were out on the water. For updated lake conditions, visitors can check Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpage or call 505-8762391.
Last week New Mexico State Parks warned of a harmful algae bloom at Bluewater Lake State Park. A Harmful Algal Bloom, or HAB, can create risks for people and animals, especially when water looks scummy, discolored, thick like paint or has algae gathered along the shoreline.
The state’s reports that drinking the water is not safe. NM State Parks advises visitors to avoid algae while swimming, wading, around dogs, and while jet or water skiing. The flyer lists boating, paddling and eating fish as OK, while still making clear that harmful algae is present in the water.
There was no stocking reported this week.
New Mexico State Parks’ most recent posted lake conditions, last updated July 20, 2026, listed boating conditions as EXCELLENT, with the reservoir at 7,365.330 feet (MSL), a surface area of 334 acres and an estimated volume of 3,342 acre-feet. USGS provisional elevation readings show Bluewater at 7,365.30 feet on July 21 and 7,365.20 feet on July 28 – a drop of 0.10 feet over the week.
Visitors should also remember that Stage II fire restrictions remain in effect at Bluewater Lake State Park. Under those restrictions, visitors may not build or use fires, campfires, charcoal, coal or wood stoves, including in developed campgrounds or picnic areas. Restrictions also apply to fireworks, smoking, certain equipment use, openflame work and off-road vehicle use. Wood gathering is prohibited within state park boundaries, and OHVs, ATVs and dirt bikes are not allowed in the park.
State Parks continues to remind visitors to wear life jackets when in or around the water. Bluewater Lake also has an EV charging station, and seasonal hours are in effect. From April 1 through Oct. 30, the park’s posted hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Reservations are available through Reserve America at 877-6647787. Grants Riverwalk Pond
There were no reported catches at the Grants Riverwalk Pond this week.
The Riverwalk remains a convenient intown option for residents, especially during summer evenings, but this week’s report was quiet.
Share Your Fishing Story
Community members can strengthen these reports and help build a running record of fishing at Bluewater Lake and the Riverwalk Pond, especially as summer fishing patterns settle in. As your community newspaper, the Cibola Citizen looks forward to receiving and publishing local photos and stories from the lake and pond.Send your catches, conditions updates and fishing stories to editor@cibolacitizen.com