Water Conditions:?? New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,669,364 acre-feet of water.?? The lake dropped almost 3 feet this week, and is currently 1020 ft. above sea level and 68 ft. from full capacity.?? Surface water temperature is about 78-80 degrees. Water is stained in the main lake with around 15 ft. visibility and strong mudlines near shore due to falling water levels. A fat full moon and increased boat activity slowed daytime fishing somewhat this week, but night fishing remained strong.?? 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.?? 7-year-old Andrew Anderson of San Andreas used salmon eggs to pull some nice trout out of Angels Creek while fishing by the fire station/swimming pool.?? Night Fishing under a submersible light for trout is the best way to catch trout right now.?? Anchor over 100 feet of water near the near the spillway, dam, and Black Bart Cove.?? Drop your submersible 20 feet deep and fish 30-50 feet deep with a crawler/Power Bait combo.?? Trollers are picking up mixed limits of kokanee with the occasional 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, and a dodger on your line.?? Rolling shad may get you a rainbow or a big, beautiful brown trout.???? Lee McGarvey caught a big rainbow while trolling near Rose Island.

Kokanee:???? All guides report that the fish are hugging the bottom, and that "bottom-bouncing" (dragging your downrigger ball along the bottom) is producing the most fish. Fish 40-80 feet deep over submerged islands and points upriver near the 49 Stevenot Bridge or near the mouths of major creek arms such as Angels Creek, as well as in the main lake, especially the southern side of the lake.?? Try Vance's Sockeye Slammers in pink or green, Uncle Larry's Spinners in Pink Tiger, Green Tiger or Copper Pop, Pro-troll Kokanee Killers in chrome, pink or green, Apex in pink or any UV color, and pink R&K or Glitterbugs Hootchies.???? Attractors mentioned were dodgers, Sling Blades, or Wild Things in pink, watermelon or chrome with silver, chartreuse or green tape.?? Garlic and Kokanee Special Pro Cure scents were the hot scents. Some anglers also used Bang Garlic scent. Bruce Hamby of Sierra Sportfishing helped 6-year-old Harold Rhee land his 1st kokanee.?? Richard Kowski, and Thomas and Jim Palmer caught limits on pink hootchies.?? ***I've heard rumors of a nighttime bite while trolling dark-colored or black lures- try a little nighttime trolling and tell us how you do!?? Nighttime trolling or still-fishing with corn or jigs under a submersible light is a technique often utilized in other states for kokanee.?? Why not try it on Melones?

Bass:?? the bite has slowed somewhat, with smaller fish being the norm.?? The backs of coves such as Bear Cove, cuts and creek arms that hold a lot of lay-down wood or rocks are holding the most bass.?? Drop-shot rigged Roboworms in Hologram Shad or Aaron's Magic produced the most numbers of fish. Throwing jigs in the mudlines was also very effective.?? There continues to be a top-water bite when the sun is off the water (dawn and dusk).?? Some anglers reported luck with Zoom Flukes at the edge of the mud lines.?? 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!??

Calaveras Bass Anglers will be planting this year's supply of Florida super-strain black (largemouth) bass on Tuesday, July 10th.?? At approximately 11 a.m., Willow Creek Hatchery will deliver thousands of fingerling bass.?? Members of the local bass club will launch their boats and deliver the fish to suitable areas in the lake.??

These are a strain of bass that get bigger than most, and grow more quickly.?? They interbreed with the northern-strain black bass that are in the lake, increasing the size and quality of New Melones bass.?? The program is completely funded by private donations and fundraisers.?? ????If you would like to witness the plant, please call Glory Hole Sports at (209) 736-4333.

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!???? Travis Paquin of Angels Camp?? fished in Angels cove with a crawdad to catch a 13-pound, 9-ounce cat.?? Travis wins Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest (catfish) and a free deli lunch.?? Josh Horn of Arnold landed two 10-to-12 pound cats.?? Cody Fahey of Modesto celebrated his 14th birthday by catching a 4-pound catfish.??

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.??