Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,466,310 acre-feet of water. The lake water level has been steady or risen very slightly for the past few weeks, and is at 999 ft. above sea level and 87 ft. from full capacity. Water in the main lake is approximately 52-53 degrees, meaning the lake has turned over. 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: Better catching reported this week. Trout have moved into the shallows, so bank fishing has been picking up and trollers are having best luck top-lining. We are seeing mostly planters caught, with a few larger fish showing up. Bank anglers should head to 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 hooks and light line, and inflate your worm with a worm inflator. The marshmallows work as a float, too. Throwing a shad-patterned spoon such as a Kastmaster, a Rattletrap, or small spinner from shore is also working. Anglers are reporting best action close to shore. . Erick Ringo of Sonora was bank fishing in Angels Cove when he landed a nice 2- pound, 1- ounce Rainbow. Also bank fishing, Mel Taguinod of Rio Vista caught a 1-pound, 11-ounce Rainbow off Glory Hole Point using pink Powerbait. Lance Westernoff of Vallecito wins this week's Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest and a free deli lunch. Lance was still-fishing from the boat near Parrotts Ferry Bridge using night crawlers when he caught his 2- pound, 13 -ounce Brown Trout. Congratulations, Lance! Ken Capitanich of Aptos also caught a 2-pound, 6-ounce Brown as he was trolling near the Dam with a blue Rapala. Bob Giraudo and Jim Fazio of Redwood City caught six Rainbows weighing up through 2- pounds, 1- ounce while trolling above Parrotts Ferry Bridge with fire tiger Uncle Larry's and also shad pattern Needlefish. Trollers Erik Momyer of Arnold and Pouli Madsen of Murphys landed 3 Rainbows along with 2 beautiful 1-pound, 6-ounce Kokanee! Eric said they were near the dam and spillway area using shad UV Apex with no flashers. Trollers should concentrate on the main lake in the dam/spillway area, or in the mouths of major coves such as Angels Cove, Glory Hole Cove, or Mormon Cove. Upriver between the South Fork and Parrotts Ferry Bridge has also been good, if you don't mind the boat ride. Fish are being found fairly shallow- troll from the surface to 15 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. Remember- when fish are shallow, it is important to use a side planer to get your lure away from your boat's wake, or at least run a minimum of 100 feet of line behind out your boat.

Kokanee: Interestingly, we have been seeing a few Kokanee of nice size being caught in approximately 15 feet of water by trollers. These fish are beautiful and great eating.

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 20-40 feet deep 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, or try brown jigs with a brown trailer. Spooning humps and island tops will probably start to work now that the water temperature has dropped. Bigger fish have been caught on swimbaits, such as the Huddleston. Please 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: slow, which is normal this time of year. That didn't stop Marv Gasper of Sonora from landing a 11-pound, 9-ounce cat at 12 noon using a night crawler and only 6 pound test line! Marv wins Glory Hole Sports Big Catfish of the Week, entitling him to a free lunch here at the store. 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. Plenty of people have good luck near the marina tire breakwater. 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.