Cats best at New Melones

New Melones Reservoir - Angels Camp, CA


by Nor Cal Fish Reports
8-26-2015

Lake level dropped two feet this last week. It is currently at 810 ft. above sea level and 278 ft. from full. The water clarity is stained in many areas and will occasionally clear up. The water temperature is warm, with the average being 76-81 degrees. The dam area has been buoyed off due to current that is created when releasing water. Glory Hole Point boat launch is a two lane dirt and gravel road leading off of the end of the point. There is not a courtesy dock and it is best to launch with a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Trout: Slow. There have been very few anglers targeting trout. The water levels continue to drop, and the trout are congregated in the main lake and in the main river channel. The key to locating trout, is finding what depth the shad are holding. Pay close attention to your electronics and you'll be able to determine a depth that has activity. Once this depth is determined try fishing your presentations just above the baitfish and trout. Trolling anglers should focus on deep water from 50-80'. The water clarity remains stained. It is very important to keep this in mind when choosing baits. Lures that have contrasting colors, disperse water and create vibration will draw the attention of nearby fish. Kokanee: Slow. There are very few anglers targeting kokanee and the last month the bite as been slow. Generally during August and September the kokanee will hold in much deeper water. Try trolling in water from 80-100'. There are still portions of the main lake where the water exceeds 200' in depth. It is important to stay over the main river channel and the original lake when trolling deep to avoid snags. Bass: Fair. We are currently in the middle of the dog days of summer, which is typically not the best season to target bass. However there are windows of opportunity that can be capitalized on. The early morning, before the sun comes up can be a good time to catch actively feeding fish. Try using a topwater plug that resembles a small fish chasing shad. The bite will usually last for awhile even after the sun comes up. The evening can be a fun time to be on the water. Watch the sun and the shade. If the topwater bite isn't producing, switch to soft plastic bottom bouncing baits. Catfish: Good. Many anglers continue to catch nice catfish. The catfish are near the shoreline and can be caught on a variety of different baits. Frozen fish bait has been working well. Mackerel, sardine and anchovy will work, but the frozen shad seems to be out fishing all the other frozen bait. Crappie: Good. The last time the lake was this low the crappie fishing in the mid to late summer was really good. There is a bunch of standing timber that is lining the lake. The crappie will hold in the timber and ambush schools of small shad as they come by. Glory Hole Sports (209) 736-4333


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More Reports

Nor Cal Fish Reports Reports
for Wednesday, August 26th, 2015

Lake Almanor: Slow for most at Almanor
Lake Amador: All quiet at Amador
Anderson Reservoir: Good shoreline bite at Anderson
Lake Berryessa: Good bass, scattered koke bite at Berryessa
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Contra Loma Reservoir: Little action at Contra Loma
Coyote Lake: Bass hit surface lures at Coyote
Del Valle Lake: Stripers boiling at DV
Donner Lake: Donner bite hanging on
Indian Creek Reservoir: Slow shore bite at Indian Creek
June Lake Loop: Boomer brown hooked at June
Lafayette Reservoir: Final catfish plant goes in Lafayette
Lewiston Lake: Moving water aids Lewiston
Lopez Lake : Big bass, cats at Lopez Lake
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Nor Cal Fish Reports Reports
for Wednesday, August 19th, 2015

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Lake Amador: Amador full of bluegill
Anderson Reservoir: Anderson closed to boating
Lake Berryessa: Berryessa bass bite good, koke bite fair
Calero Lake: Calero remains open to boats
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Lake Chabot: Slow going at Chabot
Chesbro Reservoir: Crappie biting at Chesbro
Clear Lake: Jigs, crank baits work at Clear Lake
Collins Lake: Collins cats biting
Contra Loma Reservoir: Cats biting at Contra Loma
Convict Lake: Convict pushing out big trout
Coyote Lake: Good bass numbers at Coyote
Del Valle Lake: Cats, smallies biting at Del Valle
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Lafayette Reservoir: Heat takes toll at Lafayette
Lexington Reservoir: Take minnows to Lexington
Lewiston Lake: Lewiston clearing
Lopez Lake : Warm water fish biting at Lopez
Los Vaqueros Reservoir: LV stocked for the future
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Lake Mendocino: Mendo boat ramps closed
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Lake Oroville: Launching biggest Oroville challenge
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San Pablo Reservoir: Slow bite at San Pablo
Santa Margarita Lake: Good crappie bite at Santa Margarita
Shadow Cliffs Reservoir: Cats biting at Shadow Cliffs
Shasta Lake: Find cool water for Shasta bass
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Stampede Reservoir: Stampede slowing
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Uvas Reservoir: Uvas cats willing
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