Water Conditions:?? New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,798,990 acre-feet of water.?? The lake dropped about 3 feet this week, and is currently 1033 ft. above sea level and 55 ft. from full capacity.?? Surface water temperature is now about 74-78 degrees. Water is fairly clear with around 15 ft. visibility with mudline forming due to falling water levels.?? The middle (main) ramp at Tuttletown is in use.?? The high-water ramp at Glory Hole is still in use- 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.?? 8 & 10 year old Bennett and Reece Paris of Angels Camp caught a nice rainbow on Salmon Eggs while fishing in Angels Creek.

Trollers: not seeing too many trout- everyone is catching kokanee, instead.?? ??We are seeing some mixed limits of kokanee/trout.?? Troll 40-50 feet deep- deeper in the heat of the day.?? Most trout that we have seen have come from the main lake.?? 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.?? George Ambrose and Cecil Riggens of Sonora caught a 2-pound, 13-ounce rainbow- the biggest we weighed in this week.?? One of them wins the Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest (salmonids) and a free deli lunch.?? They trolled a pink UV Apex behind a gold dodger, 30-35 feet deep near Rose Island to catch the trout.?? Danny Layne of Fish ???n' Dan's Guide Service caught a brown trout while trolling 40-65 feet deep near the mouth of Carson Creek.

Kokanee:?? Really starting to turn on.???? Fish weigh ?? to 1?? pounds on average.?? Danny Layne of Fish'n' Dan's Guide Service says the action is great at the mouth of Carson Creek 45-60 feet deep.?? He found limits of kokanee up to 16" long for clients Dave Orlando, Bill Moon, and Ronald Tom, while trolling Uncle Larry's Green Tiger Spinners, Pink Hootchies, and Humdingers behind Slingblades or Vance's chartreuse dodgers.?? He says plain shoepeg corn works great at first light, with garlic, Kokanee Special, and Carp Spit being the best scent choices later in the day.?? 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.?? Guide Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing reports excellent action while fishing the waters off of Glory Hole Point, 40-65 feet deep.?? He netted limits of clients Rob Santos and Tommy Farr, while trolling pink Uncle Larry's pink Spinners, Hootchies and Apex lures, all behind watermelon dodgers.?? Guide George Ambrose of Straight Lines Fishing?? Adventures reports limits with UV Apex behind a gold dodger trolled 30-35 feet deep near Rose Island.?? He used Carp Spit to scent his corn.

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:?? Now is the time to target big cats.?? 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:?? Slowing down somewhat, after a great spring bite.?? Crappie can be found hanging out in submerged trees, 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.