Water Conditions:?? New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,716,089 acre-feet of water.?? The lake dropped about 2 feet this week, and is currently 1025 ft. above sea level and 63 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.

Caution!?? Falling water levels expose rocks, trees and island tops, which the Bureau of Reclamation may not have marked. Please use caution, and watch out for obstacles!

??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 40-50 feet deep- deepest in the heat of the day.?? Most trout that we have seen have come from the main lake.?? Tie on an Apex, or a spinner/crawler combo.?? Bright colors seem to be working well- firetiger has been a popular choice.?? Crawler/spinner combinations are also working, but are less likely to pick up kokanee at the same time.?? 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.???? Wayne Couch of Modesto went fishing with Warren Worthington of Fishnetter's Guide Service.?? They caught a 4-pound, 2-ounce rainbow on a pink hootchie trolled behind a Sling Blade dodger.?? They didn't bring the fish into Glory Hole Sports- if they did, Wayne would have won the Big Fish Contest and a free deli lunch.???? Night Fishing under a submersible light for trout is starting to turn on.?? Check out the Hydro Glo fishing lights at Glory Hole Sports- you will not find a brighter, more amazing fishing light- they really work!???? Robert Teasdale of Moorpark wins the Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest (salmonids) and a free deli lunch with a 3-pound, 2-ounce rainbow that was part of a limit that he caught on nightcrawlers by the spillway while night-fishing under a submersible light.?? 12-year-old Naomi Raymond and her grandpa each caught limits while nightfishing in the same area.??

Kokanee:?? Red hot!???? Fish are getting bigger- Fish are from 1-to-2 pounds, and 14- 17 inches long.?? Limits are common now.???? It seems that the bigger fish are deeper- as deep as 80 feet.?? Most are in the main lake near the spillway/dam, around Rose Island and near the mouths of major creek arms such as Carson Creek.???????? Tie on a pink Hoochie, Apex, Uncle Larry's or other spinner, or Sockeye Slammer behind a pink or watermelon dodger or Sling Blade.?? Remember to troll slowly for kokanee- speed is very important.?? 1.2 to 1.5 mph is a good speed- that is barely moving.?? If you are unsure how fast you are going, you may want to purchase a Troll Speed Indicator- this is a device that attaches to the outside of you boat, and it gives you a true reading of your trolling speed. Anglers who caught kokanee this week include Richard Adams, Chad Hale, Barney Sharp, Lucas Dement, Warren Cooper, Larry Heizman, and Blake, Christian, and Jace Menezes, all who fished with Bruce Hamby of Sierra Sportfishing.?? Bruce used Uncle Larry's Copper Pop and firetiger spinners, or Apex, with Vance's Slim Willies and a Vance's dodger tied on as attractants.?? He says to take your time landing the kokanee right now- their mouths are still very soft.?? Danny Layne of Fish ???n' Dan's Guide Service found kokanee for Chris Caldera and Jake Fulkerson, Skip Bonetti, Bob DeCristoferi and Dan Burdette and Steve and Eric Minor and John Marmesh.?? Ben and Judy Rogers caught two limits of kokanee on Father Murphys Bugs at the mouth of Coyote Creek.?? Joe Hallett caught a limit on a red spinner.??

Bass:?? the bite has slowed somewhat, with smaller fish being the norm.?? 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 top-water bite when the sun is off the water (dawn and dusk) 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, like Michael Beatty of Modesto, who caught and released a nice bass while bank fishing from shore near Heron Point.?? 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!?? Robert Teasdale of Moorpark caught a really big catfish on crawlers under a bobber with 4-pound test!?? He didn't bring the fish in, so he didn't win the Big Catfish contest (although he did win the big trout contest this week!).???? Glenn Jamerson of Modesto wins the Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest (catfish) and a free deli lunch with an 8-pound, 15-ounce catfish caught on a crawler under the 49 Stevenot Bridge.?? Pat Martin caught a 7-pound, 7-ouncer on an anchovy.

Crappie and bluegill:?? Slowing down somewhat, after a great spring bite. Night fishing under a light is best. Crappie can be found hanging out in submerged trees, about 15-20 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.??