Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,346,142 acre-feet of water. The lake level dropped one foot this week, and is currently at 986 ft. above sea level and 101 ft. from full. The average water temperature is 68-72 degrees. The lake is stained with mud lines forming near the shore in the afternoon.

Trout:
Fair. There have been some nice trout being caught. Early morning and late in the evening the trout will move toward the surface to feed. Trolling anglers try long lining a small F5 Rapala, or a small square-billed crank bait 150-200' behind the boat. As the sun rises drop your baits down to deeper/cooler water. There have been some really impressive browns being caught. To target them try trolling 2-3 mph, with shad patterned spoons, or shad patterned jointed baits. Also, try rolling frozen shad in 30-50' over the main river channel. We do encourage catch and release of brown trout, as the Department of Fish and Game is no longer going to plant them in the lake. Bank anglers have been catching a few trout using a Power Egg/crawler combo or fan casting a Kastmaster. Fly Fisherman, head to local rivers, streams, and creeks. Try using nymphs and buggers midday. Switch to a dry fly for evening surface activity.

Pictured Above: Scout, Hunter, and Tanner Holguin had a fun day catching kokannee. They reported catching them on pink hoochies, trolling between Glory Hole Point and the spillway.

Kokanee:
Good. Most anglers are finding their limits in a few hours of fishing. Main lake near Glory Hole Point, the spillway, and the dam have been the most productive areas to locate schools. There are also a few fish being caught in front of Carson Cove and toward the 49 bridge. The fish will be closer to the surface in the morning. Try trolling 20-30' until the sun comes up, then drop down to 40-50' throughout the afternoon. Spinners and hoochies are the best bets for catching limits. Try using Uncle Larry's, Crystal Basin, or Rocky Mountain Spinners trolled behind a sling blade. Pink is a good choice to start with. Darker colors will draw more strikes in deeper water. Another good setup is a micro hootchie trolled behind a small tear drop dodger. Remember to use a short 12-18" leader if your bait doesn't have a blade or a bill. Also, tip your lures with scented and dyed shoe peg corn.

Bass:
Fair. The fish are finishing up with the spawn and are in a post spawn mode. The majority of fish have pulled off the bank due to dropping water levels. They will move up in the morning and evenings to feed and then head out to deeper water midday. Early morning top water bite has been good. Try using a walk the dog type bait such as a Spook, Rover, or Sammy. Or, twitch a popper near the shoreline. Add a feather tail to your bait to improve the action and get a few more blow-ups. Once the top water bite dies, switch to a soft plastic presentation. Try using a brass and glass Texas rigged worm. With the water being stained the brass and glass rig will draw fish from a distance, and a Texas rig won't get hung up as often as other offerings. 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:
Good. Some big cats are showing up in shallow water. Melones catfish tend to be fish-eaters rather than bottom foragers, so use live minnows, frozen shad, mackerel, or anchovies for best success. Also while bait fishing, it is a good idea to drag your bait across the bottom every few minutes to attract nearby fish. Use a sliding sinker with a bead to create a ticking noise as your bait is moving. In dark water add murky water it is a good idea to add extra scent to your bait. Catfish hunt by sound/vibration and smell.

Photo #1: Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest goes to Matt Seldon of Sonora. He caught a fat 13-pound, 3-ounce catfish on chicken liver. Cody Seldon of Sonora caught a chunky 8-pound, 8-ounce cat.

Photo #2: Bob Byrd of Sonora caught a hefty 9-pound, 1-ounce catfish while fishing from the shore near the Tuttletown boat launch.

Crappie:
Good. Some pretty decent slab-sides being caught. Try using a red/white or chartreuse crappie jig with live minnow, fished under a slip-float. The crappie will suspend in standing timber and brush. Try casting past the cover and fishing your presentation into it. The night fishing bite has started to pick up. Anglers using a drop light in the backs of coves have been catching some nice crappie, bass, and trout.