Water Conditions:?? New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,626,350 acre-feet of water.?? The lake dropped almost 2 feet this week, and is currently 1016 ft. above sea level and 72 ft. from full capacity.?? Surface water temperature is about 79-82 degrees. Water is stained in the main lake with around 15 ft. visibility and strong mudlines near shore 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.?? 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.???? Rob Smoot, and 3 friends fished at night under a light near the spillway with a Power Bait/crawler combo.?? They caught 4 limits of rainbows- many in the 3-to-4-pound range.?? The biggest was 4-pounds, 6-ounces, so Rob (or one of his friends) wins the Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest (salmonid) and a free deli lunch!?? Chris Dunn and Art and Adam Hidalgo caught 2 limits while night fishing.?? 7-year-old Ethan Stone caught a limit while night fishing, too.

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 such as Vance's Slim Willies, and a dodger on your line.?? Rolling shad may get you a rainbow or a big, beautiful brown trout.

Kokanee:?????? We are really seeing some quality fish, and limits are easy to come by.?? Fish 40-60 feet deep, to as deep as 80 feet during the day, over submerged islands and points in the main lake, especially around the spillway and Rose Island.?? Pink or red are your best colors right now.?? Pink Hootchies, Murphy's Bugs, Uncle Larry's Spinners, Pro-troll Kokanee Killers or Apex in pink or any UV color.?? Attractors mentioned were dodgers, Sling Blades, or Wild Things in pink, watermelon or chrome.?? Garlic, Carp Spit, and Anise Pro Cure scents were the hot scents.?? Anglers who caught kokanee this week include Jim Gallno, who caught a 17" long, 2+-pounder, Bob Tarrant, Elaine Lucia, Trevor Adams, Bobby Jr. and Travis Tarrant, Dick Niebaur, Jim Baldanzi, Tim Shulton, and Kari Stafford (all with Fish ???n' Dan's Guide Service), John Darroch, guide Warren Worthington, Joe Hallett, Larry Daniels, Hayden and Austin Lord, and Adam and April Hale.?? 193 anglers competed in Project Kokanee's annual derby on Melones this weekend.?? Khanh and Connie Tran took first place, with big fish honors going to Bill Dunn and Dennis Springer, who brought a 45.9-centimeter (that's is 18.07 inches) kokanee to the scale.

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).?? 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!??

Catfish:???? Lots of big cats coming in!?? Use anchovies, mackerel, 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.?? Catfishing is best at night, but be sure to bring mosquito repellant!?? Tim Heflin of Sonora wins Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest (catfish) and a free deli lunch.?? He caught an 8-pound, 14-ounce cat, on anchovies while bank-fishing fishing in Angels Cove.?? His fishing pals Chad Watkins and Troy Heflin also caught some nice cats.

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.??