Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,573,753 acre-feet of water. The lake level dropped close to one foot this week, and is currently at 1011 ft. above sea level and 76 ft. from full. Water temperature warmed a little, average is 52-54 degrees with some parts of the lake warming to 58-60 degrees in the afternoon. The lake is clear, to slightly stained with some debris floating on the surface. The lake has turned over.

Trout: Fair. The bite seems to be getting better. Most anglers are catching a few fish with the occasional limit coming in. Trolling anglers are catching fish at various depths, from the surface to 25 feet. To locate the fish try running a dodger/crawler combo from 15-25 deep on one rod, and large floating Rapala on the other. Also, a number of brown trout are being caught. This is a great time to troll for trophy size browns. Try using large plugs such as a J11 Rapala in firetiger or shad pattern. Another good way to catch the big ones is by rolling shad.

Reminder: The Department of Fish and Game will no longer be planting brown trout. So, we do encourage catch and release a will not recognize them for our weekly big fish contest. Bank fishing has picked up a little due to the small amount of rainfall. There are trout cruising the shoreline and the surface early morning and late afternoon. Try using Berkley Mice Tails, or a Pinched Crawler/egg combo. The water and air temperature has warmed and will continue to warm this week. Toward the afternoon look for insects hatching. To catch the trout that will be feeding on them. Try using the bubble and a fly technique. Wooly buggers, pheasant tail, and bead headed prince nymphs will catch them.

Kokanee: Good. The fish are scattered throughout the water from 15-50 feet. The fish are a good size for this time of the year 13-14" and very chunky. Try fishing the main lake with a finesse trolling setup. A Pink Micro Hoochie or an Anglers Market Kokanee Bites trolled behind a small tear drop dodger is great way to get a limit. Don't forget to tip your lure with shoe peg corn that has been soaked in garlic, anise, carp spit, or kokanee special Pro Cure scent.

Bass: Good. Not a lot of fish being caught but some giants are showing up. These giant fish are being caught on mainly jigs, worms, and swim baits. Try fishing main lake points leading into spawning areas. These are staging areas where the fish will stacked up before they spawn. Also it is a good time to use soft plastics such as Senkos, Brush Hogs, and lizards.

We have been seeing a lot of big spotted bass being caught and we possibly have a world record swimming around out there. The current state record and world record was caught May 3, 2001 out of Pine Flat Lake. It weighed 10-pounds, 4-ounces. If you catch a fish that is larger, and want it to be recognized as a state record, it must be weighed on a certified scale. The post office or the grocery store meat department has a certified scale. It is very important to practice catch and release during the spring months! If you do keep a bass, please keep the spotted bass and release the big female (largemouth) black bass. Glory Hole Sports can teach you the difference, so you can practice good conservation of the species.

Catfish: Melones catfish tend to be fish-eaters rather than bottom foragers, so use live minnows, frozen shad, mackerel, or anchovies for best success. The water is warming and the bite will pick up.

Crappie: Good. Spring is here and the crappie bite is starting. There are fish in 15-40 foot of water, in the backs of creek channels near submerged timber. Live minnows or red worms fished under a slip-float, with a bobber stop is a good way to target these fish. Also, try using Beetle Spins and mini jigs on light spinning tackle.

Sacramento Pike Minnow: Good. These fish are generally caught in creek channels. They feed on shad, trout, and kokanee.

Photos: Pictured Above: This week local angler John Martin caught a double digit fish, a 10.07 pound largemouth. He was fishing upriver when this fish crushed a swim bait.
Photo #1: This week Greg Elam of Twain Harte caught what possibly might be the IGFA-recognized New World Record. He caught this massive 13.06 pound fish trolling a Rapala for trout in the Angels Creek arm of the lake. There have been bigger ones caught, but not registered with IGFA. The current IGFA (International Game Fish Association) record is 6-pounds, 15-ounces.