Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,531,328 acre-feet of water. The lake water level has been steady or risen for the past few weeks, but it dropped very slightly this week, and is at 1006 ft. above sea level and 82 ft. from full capacity. Water in the main lake is approximately 53-55 degrees. Water is very slightly stained in the creek channels, with around 12 ft. visibility. The main lake is gin clear, with approximately 15-20 ft. visibility. All ramps are in the water.

Due to rising water levels, BEWARE OF FLOATING DEBRIS IN THE LAKE!

Trout: slow for most, although we have seen lots of nice brown trout this year. Bank fishing has been slow. Bank anglers should head to main lake points such as off of Glory Hole Point, or under the Hwy 49 Stevenot Bridge. Try fishing off a steep point in those areas. Use worms/marshmallows or chartreuse, pink 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. Trollers have had the best luck in the main lake, in the dam/spillway area, upriver near Horseshoe Bend and under the bridges, or in the mouths of major coves such as Angels Cove, Glory Hole Cove, Carson Cove, or Mormon Cove. Troll from the surface to 30 feet deep over deepest water. Trophy Sticks, Needlefish, and Apex have all brought fish to the boat recently, and a crawler/spinner combo has also been working. Rolling shad is the best way to target the big browns, and you may pick up a few rainbows as well. The Spro Shad Rig is an easy way to set up for rolling shad. 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. Small attractors such as dodgers or micro-flashers may be a good idea, although most anglers are not using any additional flashers. Four-year-old Madison Pinckney of Twain Harte caught a nice rainbow while trolling a crawler behind a green dodger, 25 feet deep in the main lake. Joe Hallett and Richard Kowski each caught a limit or rainbows while trolling red Apex with no flashers or dodgers, 25-30 feet deep near the dam/spillway.

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. They are running 14-15" long at the tail fork. Greg Branson of Angels Camp landed a 1-pound, 6-ounce kokanee while trolling a red Apex behind a silver dodger, 10 feet deep by the dam. That is a good-sized fish for this time of year!

Bass: good. The bite is soft, and easy to miss, so pay attention and watch your line! Bass are holding to points both upriver and in the main lake. While bass are holding close to the bottom in 25' of water, look for areas with structure both shallow and deep, so fish can move up and down to different depths. Try brown jigs, green pumpkin Brush Hogs, drop-shot or dart headed crawdad-colored worms and Senkos. Throw a weightless Senko, or a Zoom Trick Worm with little or no weight, rigged wacky-style. Allow it to sink slowly through the water column and watch your line as the worm floats to the bottom. The slow presentation triggers a bite from sluggish fish. Joe Hubbs of Arnold used live large minnows to catch some nice bass- he caught four smaller bass for supper, and caught and released an 8-pounder, while fishing in Glory Hole Cove. Swimbaits continue to bring in the big monster bass, like the 12+-pounder caught and released by Tom Schachten last week. 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. 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, although some anglers reported catching limits while night fishing in the south part of the lake or near the Marina tires. 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.