Water Conditions:?? New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,440,606 acre-feet of water.?? The lake water level has been steady or risen very slightly for the past few weeks, and is at 996 ft. above sea level and 90 ft. from full capacity.?? Surface water is finally cooling off- this will positively affect fishing. Water in the main lake is approximately 55-57 degrees, with the water upriver about 54-55 degrees and dropping.???? 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:?? finally picking up, especially upriver, where the water is coolest.?? With water temperature falling, bank fishing has been picking up as well.?? The Department of Fish and Game has begun regular plantings at New Melones, so we are seeing planters caught from shore, as well as by trollers.?? 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 an 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.?? Erik Momyer of Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods had a good day in Angels Cove, while bank fishing.?? He caught and released several planters and a nice holdover.???? 11-year-old Jessica Sears and 8-year-old Zachary Sears of Angels Camp caught a nice rainbow on a Power Bait/worm combo while bank fishing near Glory Hole boat ramp.?? Trollers should head upriver, where the water is coolest.?? We are hearing of good action for those who don't mind the boat ride!?? Fish are being found fairly shallow- troll 15-20 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 dodgers or flashers.?????? Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest winner Robbie Dunham of Galt caught a 2-pound brown trout as well as 13 rainbow trout that he released, while trolling a Cop Car Apex 15 feet deep upriver above Parrotts Ferry Bridge.?? He used ProCure shad gel as an additional attractant.?? Brett Hanberg of Brentwood trolled a firetiger Needlefish and rolled shad to find a limit of good-sized rainbows while trolling 15 feet deep upriver.?? Jess Bogwell of Antioch trolled Wedding Rings upriver at 15 feet deep and picked up a nice limit, too.?? Night fishing under a submersible light is another way to target trout at this time of year, although it is pretty cold out there.?? 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.??

Bass:?? Tough bite, which is typical for this time of year. 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, submerged islands, and up into the creek channels.?? Split-shotting or drop-shotting seems to be a good bet with 4" worms in crawdad or shad colors, although the bigger fish have been caught on swimbaits, such as the Huddleston, and on brown jigs.?? Anglers are finding the bigger bass at 20' to 40' depth, but some report very shallow action, too.?????? 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.??