Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 265,774 acre-feet of water. The lake level remained stable this past week. It is currently at 797 ft. above sea level and 288 ft. from full. The water clarity is fairly clear in most of the lake and stained in some of the creek arms. The water temperature continues to cool, with the average being 58-63 degrees. The dam area has been buoyed off due to current that is created when releasing water. Glory Hole Point boat launch is a one 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. The recent rainfall and cooling temperatures will help ignite the trout bite. The water temperature continues to drop and the lake should turnover any time soon. Once this happens, the trout will move to shallow water where they are much easier to locate and catch. This typically happens sometime around Thanksgiving each year. Some fish will move up early, so it is not a bad idea to start targeting trout. We have had a few reports of trout breaking the surface which is also a good sign that the bite will soon be good. For those anglers who wish to target trout from the shore, try using a shad patterned Kastmaster. Make very long casts, and retrieve the bait at different depths. Also, try floating a mallow crawler setup off of the bottom. The color of the mallow will attract fish and they will have a hard time not biting into a nightcrawler. Boating anglers, try trolling the main lake from 20-40' or fishing toward the creek channels with casting spoons. We do encourage catch and release for the brown trout as The Department of Fish and Game will no longer be planting them. Carefully measure, weigh and photograph trophy fish and send us pictures and information.

Kokanee: Done. We have not had any kokanee reports for awhile now. Typically this is when they start to move up river to spawn. We have had a couple reports of kokanee in the river and there are a bunch of eagles near the bridges. This usually indicates the kokanee are in the area and dying off.

Bass: Good. The bite continues to be good for most anglers. It is not as crazy as it was a couple weeks ago, but there are still plenty of fish biting and it is a good time to catch some big ones. The fish are keying on schools of shad. Once you have located the bait the bass will be nearby. Being able to adjust on the water is very important at this time of the year. The shad will be in an area one day and gone the next. Try using search baits to cover plenty of water. Spinnerbaits, ripbaits, crankbaits and small swimbaits are all good choices. You can chuck and wind until you come across the bait and the bass. Once you have located an area with bait and feeding fish you will be able to slow down and switch presentations to catch more fish. One of the best ways to catch a bunch of fish in the fall is with a jigging spoon. The spoon can be lowered below the bait and ripped through it to trigger the bass into biting. A spoon can be fished in some pretty heavy cover and will not get hung-up. Believe it or not, the spoon acts as a plug-knocker. Not all the bass will target shad and some will be in the crawdad eating mode. Try using a variety of bottom bouncing baits to catch these fish. A Carolina Rig is a good choice and can be fished deep or shallow. Try using a crawdad colored worm or a creature bait to resemble a crawdad scurrying along the bottom. PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE. The bigger fish are the future of our lake. Take photos and carefully release the fish back into to the lake to maintain a healthy fish population for generations to come.

A couple California Reservoir Lures Pro Staffers, Geno Chiarpotti and Jamieson Heaney caught and released some nice spotted bass and largemouth.

Catfish: Good. There are not many anglers targeting catfish, but the ones that are seem to be doing well. Some of the biggest catfish are caught in the fall. They will be feeding heavily in preparation of the cold winter months that are right around the corner. We have had a few rain storms to clean the banks and washed some treats into the water. Many catfish will scour the shoreline during and after the rain in search of nightcrawlers. Bank anglers can make short pitches with a nightcrawler and a light split-shot to catch some of these feeding fish. This technique is not your standard heave-it and leave-it approach. This is a great way to cover water and intersect the fish that have moved up. Let the bait soak for a couple minutes, then real up and pitch to a different location. Remember you are targeting fish from 0-15' of water, so it is best to make casts ahead of where you are walking and not out in deep water. For those who prefer to sit and wait, try using frozen shad and mackerel. Soak you bait in scent for a few days prior to fishing. Catfish have very poor eyesight and will feed by smell.

Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week goes to Troy Morris of Angels Camp. He caught a nice 3-pound, 15-ounce catfish while fishing with a nightcrawler near Angels Creek.

Crappie: Slow. We have had a few reports of some crappie being caught. Try using a live minnow fished under a slip-float.

Some anglers will swim Beetle Spins and Mini Jigs near brush and standing timber to search for crappie.