Water Conditions:?? New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,438,432 acre-feet of water.?? The lake water level has been steady for the past few weeks, and is at 996 ft. above sea level and 90 ft. from full capacity.?? Surface water has finally dropped a couple of degrees.?? Water in the main lake is approximately 59-61 degrees, with the water upriver about 58-59 degrees.?? This is unusually warm for this time of year, so fishing has not yet picked up the way it normally does in the winter.?? The coming cold weather should help get those fish biting!?? Water is stained in the creek channels, with around 8-12 ft. visibility.?? The main lake is gin clear, with approximately 15-20 ft. visibility.?? All ramps are in the water.??

Trout:?? slow this week.?? As the water temperature cools, rainbows move into the shallows, and bank fishing turns on.?? We just need some cooler weather to get things going!?? The Department of Fish and Game has begun regular plantings at New Melones, including one this week. Bank anglers should try the major coves, such as Glory Hole or Angels Cove, or off of Glory Hole Point.???? Use worms/marshmallows or chartreuse or rainbow glitter Power Bait.?? Fishing off the bottom with a 18"-24" leader is preferable to fishing under a bobber.?? Be sure your bait floats off the bottom- use small (#12 or#14 hooks) and light line, and inflate your worm with a worm inflator.?? The marshmallows work as a float, too.?? As the water temperature cools, fish will move to the surface.???? Trollers should target the main lake, and the entrance to major coves and creek arms, such as Glory Hole Cove or Angels Creek.?? Fish are being found fairly shallow now, despite the warm water.?? Fish 15-25 feet deep.?? Successful trollers seem to have the best luck with shad-patterned lures such as Apex, Needlefish or Rapala Countdowns, and they are not using additional attractors such as dodgers or flashers.?? Night fishing under a submersible light is another way to target trout at this time of year.?? Anchor in the deepest water you can near the spillway- 80-100 feet deep is ideal.?????? Drop your submersible light into the water, as deep as you can get it.?? The light attracts plankton, which attract shad, which attracts trout.?? This takes some time, so be patient.?? Use a worm threader to thread a nightcrawler up your line, and tip your hook with some glitter Power Bait Select.

Kokanee:???? Done for the season.?? Kokanee have been spotted spawning in Rose Creek, Angels Creek and other areas.?? They are no good to eat at this point, but it is fun to see them.?? After spawning, the kokanee die.?? This is a normal part of their life cycle.?? M. Fugazzi and Cheater Larry had fun catching some red kokanee while trolling a UV Apex very deep by the spillway.??

Bass:?? Very difficult. The bite appears to be typical of September instead of November. The bite is mushy so pay attention- it's easy to miss the opportunity to set your hook. Look for bass on main lake points and up into the creek channels.?? Split-shotting seems to be a good bet with 4" Roboworms in crawdad colors, although the bigger fish have been caught on swimbaits, such as the Huddleston.?? Anglers are finding the bigger bass at 25' to 35' depth, but some report very shallow action, too.???? W.O.N.Bass held a team tournament on New Melones this week.?? Chris and Darryl Peters took 1st place and won $1,270 with a 13.90-pound, 5-fish limit that include the second big fish of the tournament- a 5.12-pounder.?? They reported catching their fish on the Huddleston Shad swimbaits.?? 2nd place was won by Steve Chappell and Steve Riggs, who brought a limit weighing 11.37-pounds to the scale, including the biggest fish caught during the tournament- a 6.32-pounder, taken on a swimbait. They won $780. Remember to practice catch-and-release.?? The Department of Fish and Game does not plant bass, so it is up to us to maintain the bass fishery!??

Catfish:?? We are still seeing some big ones!?? Use anchovies, mackerel, sardines, or a ball of nightcrawlers.?? Leave your bail open so the cats can pick the bait up and swim with it- you will be more likely to hook them that way. Also, be sure to use a sliding sinker weight

Crappie and bluegill: Slow.?? Night fishing under a light is best. Crappie can be found hanging out in submerged trees, about 25'-35' feet deep.?? Bear Creek, Mormon Creek and Carson Creek are all good bets.?? For crappie, try fishing live small or medium minnows, or crappie jigs with jigs in red/white, black/chartreuse or purple/white.?? Remember- 25 is the limit for crappie.??