Water Conditions

New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,053,748 acre-feet of water. The lake level came up nine feet this past week and will continue to rise with the recent and upcoming rainfall. It is currently at 950 ft. above sea level and 133 ft. from full. The water clarity is stained in most of the lake with some areas clearing faster than others. There is scattered debris floating on the surface throughout the lake. The water temperature dropped, with the average being 49-52 degrees.

THE MIDDLE RAMP ON THE GLORY HOLE SIDE IS OPEN!

Trout

The forecast is calling for rain all week long, with a break for the weekend. With the water rising quickly the lake is changing from week to week. Areas that have been dry for years are now well under water. The flooded vegetation will break down and provide the lake with nutrients. Many anglers have found trout swimming near the shoreline in these nutrient rich waters. Bank anglers have been finding some luck fishing off of Glory Hole Point and near the 49-bridge. When fishing with bait it is very important that your presentation remains afloat. If your bait settles on the bottom it will sink below the thick vegetation and become nearly impossible for nearby fish to locate. A long leader with a light wire hook is recommended. Power Bait dough is very buoyant and will keep your bait off the bottom. When fishing a crawler it is best to use a worm blower to inflate it. Try casting lures near the shoreline and over shallow point and flats. Trolling anglers have been catching planted and holdover rainbow trout. Brightly painted lures are still a very productive option. Lures that create sound and vibration will attract fish when fish in stained water. A faster trolling speed from 2.8-3.8mph will allow the angler to cover water and will force the fish to respond quickly, resulting in a reaction bite.

Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week goes to Ted Campbell of Sonora. He caught a beautiful 3-pound, 6-ounce rainbow trout on Power Bait first thing in the morning near Mormon Creek.

We do encourage catch and release of brown trout, as there does not seem to be a large population of them in the lake. Carefully measure, weigh and photograph trophy fish and send us pictures and information.

Kokanee

The kokanee generally will not start to bite until spring. April is a good month to start targeting the kokanee again.

Bass

Bass fishing has remained steady, even with the water temperatures being fairly cold. The spotted bass are feeding regularly and the largemouth bass are taking advantage of the flooded vegetation that is lining the lake. The lake level is rising each week and anglers will have to search for new locations and areas to fish. The fish can be found scattered throughout the lake, some shallow and some deep. Keep an open mind and fish various conditions until a pattern is detected. The grass that was down deep is starting to break up and float to the surface. This will make dragging the bottom a little easier. A heavy football jig can be used to target these deep fish. The grass near the shoreline can be frustrating to fish. Try using a lure that can be pulled through the grass without hanging up, or one that can be fish above it. A Texas rig is very weedless and the bullet weight will pull through grass without getting stuck. A Carolina is also a good choice. Small swimbaits can be fished just above the grass and down to deep water. Try rigging them on a weighted belly hook or an underspin to produce flash and vibration. PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE. Take photos and carefully release the fish back into to the lake to maintain a healthy fish population for generations to come.

Catfish

The catfish bite during the winter months is generally pretty slow. There will be small critters that are trapped during these conditions and the catfish will often take advantage. Nightcrawlers are a good choice for bait during the cold winter months and into the spring. A little scent will also help the fish locate your bait.

Crappie

The crappie are starting to bite and the prime time to catch them is right around the corner. With the recent rising water level the crappie will start to move back into some of the coves and creek channels. They love flooded brush and vegetation. Try using small spinners or mini jigs to locate crappie. We will have live minnows in a week or so. They work extremely well for locating schools of fish.