'In the Boat'
March 31, 2026

March 29 and 31, 2026 - Navajo Lake

Water Temp: 55°F

Conditions: Warm and calm in the AM. Breezy afternoons.

Species caught: Crappie, Pike

We harvested two limits of crappie on Sunday, and three limits yesterday. That's 100 fish filleted in a couple of days! A range of sizes and colors of jigs have been producing. The marina also sells minnows for the jig inept. Water conditions are right and the fish are active. This pattern looks like it's just getting started, and spring crappie at Navajo can run hot into early May. 

I've been on these fish weekly since November. However, I have no bookings in my calendar until May. The fixed costs to hold a Navajo Lake guide permit and keep the boat in the water (permit fees, insurance, marina slip, licenses, registration, tackle, and maintenance) run over $10,000 before a single client steps aboard. On top of that, taxes, marina commissions, and fuel eat a minimum of 35% of every trip sold. Average net per trip comes in under $330 for my day's work. It will take roughly 32 booked trips just to recover fixed costs.

These costs do not include the great amount of money, time and effort spent to obtain and maintain a U.S. Coast Guard OUPV captain's license — the federal credential required by law to carry paying passengers on navigable waters. Navajo Lake is an interstate waterway and falls under that requirement. New Mexico State Parks does not currently verify that permitted guides hold this credential. I am in my 6th year of holding that license.

Meanwhile, New Mexico State Parks has imposed more burdensome requirements on its fishing guides, including a trip ticket system requiring a computer and internet connection, a 3-client per trip cap, and further boat inspections beyond the invasive species inspections which already delay launching in the mornings and getting home safely after a long day on the water.

Luckily, my clients don't have to worry about any of that. The permit is in order, my credential is current, the boat is maintained, launched and ready for inspection at any time, and I know where the fish are. You show up, you fish, you go home with a cooler full of crappie.

The fish are there right now. Call to book: 970-749-4959.