BLUEWATER LAKE, N.M. – The blue-green algae notice remains in place at Cibola’s Bluewater Lake, but boating conditions are still listed as excellent, and the reservoir continues to slowly decline, but anglers targeting muskie had better news than in recent quieter weeks.
Bluewater Lake
Mid-September at Bluewater Lake State Park brought a GOOD week of fishing for tiger muskie when using crankbaits, frog lures and X-Raps.
New Mexico State Parks continues to post that Bluewater Lake is experiencing a blue-green algae bloom. Visitors should be aware that algae is present in the water and should swim or recreate at their own risk. Visitors should avoid water that looks scummy, discolored, thick like paint, or has algae gathered along the shoreline. Pets should be kept away from visible algae, and untreated lake water should not be consumed.
State Parks’ most recent posted lake conditions, last updated Sept. 7, 2026, listed boating conditions as EXCELLENT, with the reservoir at 7,364.280 feet (MSL), a surface area of 303 acres and an estimated volume of 3,031 acre-feet.
USGS provisional storage readings show Bluewater at 3,054 acre-feet on Sept. 8 and 3,020 acre-feet on Sept. 15, a decline of 34 acre-feet over the week. The lake continues its gradual late-summer decline, though boating conditions remain listed as excellent.
No closures were posted this week. Visitors should remember that OHVs, ATVs and dirt bikes are not allowed within park boundaries. Fireworks are always prohibited at Bluewater Lake State Park, and wood gathering for campfires is prohibited within state park boundaries.
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 remain 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 877-664-7787. For current conditions, visitors can check Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpage or call 505-876-2391.
Grants Riverwalk Pond
There were no reported catches at the Grants Riverwalk Pond this week, and no stocking was reported.
The pond remains a convenient in-town option for residents looking for a short fishing trip, walk or evening visit to the Riverwalk area.
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