Water Conditions:?? New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,832,392 acre-feet of water.?? The lake dropped about 3 feet this week, and is currently 1036 ft. above sea level and 52 ft. from full capacity.?? Surface water temperature is now 65-68 degrees upriver and in major creek arms, and 70-75 degrees in the main lake and in coves. Water is fairly clear with around 15 ft. visibility with mudline forming due to falling water levels.?? We are still at the high-water ramps.?? The middle (main) ramp at Tuttletown will be used when the water level drops to about 1036 ft., and the main ramp at Glory Hole becomes useable (along with the huge parking lot that is now underwater) at around 1028 ft.??

Ramp info:?? For those of you worrying about low water levels, don't.?? New Melones Lake will have usable ramps at Tuttletown unless water levels drop below 900 ft., at Glory Hole unless water levels drop below 860 ft. (there is another ramp that volunteers built below that, too), at Angels Cove unless water levels drop below 975 ft., and at the Visitors' Center unless water drops below 760 ft.??

??Trout:?? Bank anglers should head to local creeks and rivers (such as Angels Creek), which are receiving regular trout plantings from DFG.?? Berkley Power Bait or Power Eggs, or Pautski's Salmon Eggs are your best bet.

Trollers are picking up mixed limits of kokanee/trout.?? Troll 30-50 feet deep- deeper in the heat of the day.?? Most trout that we have seen have come from the main lake, caught mostly by anglers targeting kokanee.?? However, the water up Angels Creek and upriver is colder, so you may find better trout fishing there.?? Tie on an Apex, or a spinner/crawler combo.?? Bright colors seem to be working well- firetiger has been a popular choice.?? Use ball troll flashers, or flashers on your line.?? Many anglers are having luck with a dodger.?? Rolling shad will get you a rainbow or a big, beautiful brown trout.?? Barry Wilkerson of Burson wins the Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest (salmonids) and a free deli lunch with a 4-pound, 3-ounce brown trout that he caught while trolling a purple UV Apex tipped with garlic-scented corn, 35-40 feet deep between Glory Hole Point and the spillway.?? Devon Stickney also caught a brown trout- she trolled a green Apex behind a pink Dodger, 24 feet deep by the spillway to land a 3-pound, 9-ounce brown.?? Faith Smith caught several rainbows as well as a couple of bluegill while trolling a Wedding Ring/crawler combo near the dam.?? Her biggest rainbow was 2-pounds, 3-ounces.?? Joe Hallett and John Spangler caught 4 rainbows as part of their two kokanee/trout limits.

Kokanee:?? Picking up, with limits becoming more common.???? Fish are 13-14 inches on average, and weigh 1-to- 1-?? pounds.?? Kokanee are being picked up 30-60 feet deep off of Glory Hole Point, at the mouth of Angels Creek, and into the main lake near the dam/spillway and Rose Island.?? Scent is important- Freshwater Shrimp, krill or Carp Spit are good choices right now. It's best to scent your corn the night before, and refrigerate it.???? We have fresh pre-scented and dyed pink corn available at Glory Hole Sports.?? Joe Hallett and John Spangler caught some nice kokanee trolling a spinner/crawler combo 50 ft. deep.?? Bill McMahn fished on both Saturday and Sunday.?? He says he and his fishing buddies found easy limits both days.?? He says that he caught the biggest fish in deeper water- around 55-70 ft.?? Bruce Hamby of Sierra Sportfishing says that pink is the color for kokanee right now.?? Pink Hootchies and pink Apex, both trolled behind Vance's pink and copper dodgers, worked for him.

Bass:?? red-hot!???? Big fish are easy to find, with 3-4-pounders being common.?? The backs of coves, cuts and creek arms that hold a lot of lay-down wood or rocks are holding big bass.?? There is a great top-water bite, especially in the mornings and evenings, and spinnerbaits are working, too.?? Senkos and Zoom Trick Worms, crawdad imitations and jigs, and Zoom Lizards and Brush Hogs are all working great.???? Remember to practice catch-and-release, especially now, during the spawn.?? Removing a big bass out of the lake not only kills that fish, but all of her future offspring as well. The Department of Fish and Game does not plant bass, so it is up to us to maintain the bass fishery!??

Catfish:?? Use anchovies, 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.?? With warmer weather, the catfish bite really turns on.?? Catfishing is best at night, but be sure to bring mosquito repellant!

Crappie and bluegill:?? We have had the best crappie bite Melones has seen in years.?? Limits are common, and crappie are huge!?? Crappie can be found hanging out in submerged trees, especially near running water or adjacent to spawning areas (flat areas with lots of fall-down wood or gravelly bottoms), about 5-15 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.?? Bluegill are really starting to bite, and they are a great way to get kids hooked on fishing.?? Use a crawler under a bobber.