ELEPHANT BUTTE, N.M. — Elephant Butte Lake received another big boost toward recovery in August 2015, as New Mexico Game and Fish (NMGF) stocked 40,000 fingerlings with the assistance of dozens of volunteers.
“Sportsmen and women from five communities, some traveling 150 miles round trip, assisted,” said Ron Gilworth, former conservation director for the New Mexico B.A.S.S. Nation (NMBN).
This latest effort follows closely on a May 2015 stocking of 20,000 fingerlings purchased by the local community.
“I am amazed by the cooperation between New Mexico Game and Fish, the community of Elephant Butte, bass clubs, business owners and individual volunteers in this all-out effort to bring back the Butte,” added, Earl Conway, New Mexico’s current conservation director.
“If El Niño continues to bless us with water, our efforts should lead to a spectacular recovery in a couple of years.”
He added that the lake level in January already was higher than it peaked at last year and is set up for the classic “new lake effect” if the Rio Grande basin can catch a couple of good runoffs.
Additionally, the Bureau of Reclamation has kept levels fairly constant during the spawn for two years, resulting in above average reproduction.
Habitat is being enhanced as well. NMBN is leading a five-year plan to put thousands of Christmas trees and hundreds of artificial structures into key spawning coves.
“While other states may be feeling the bite of El Niño, New Mexico is hoping for the perfect storm,” Conway said.
“After several years of drought, low lake levels and poor bass populations, New Mexico Game and Fish, New Mexico B.A.S.S. Nation and local communities are doing whatever they can to help Elephant Butte recover as fast as possible.”
