Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding1,275,544 acre-feet of water. The lake level dropped three feet this week, and is currently at 975 ft. above sea level and 112 ft. from full. The average water temperature is a very warm 76-86 degrees. The lake is stained with mud lines forming near the shore in the afternoon.

Trout: Fair. The trout are roaming the main lake near deeper/cooler water looking for balls of shad. Anglers should try fishing close to the surface in the early morning and evening and dropping to 40-60' during the day. Night fishing anglers are catching limits of fat healthy trout under a submersible light. Try anchoring the boat in 25-50' of water, and dropping the light 15-25' feet down. Be patient, it may take awhile for the light to attract plankton, baitfish, and trout. To catch them, try using live minnows, mini jigs, Power Bait, and crawlers.

Pictured Above: Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week goes to David Hylton of Murphys. He caught a nice 3-pound rainbow while night fishing at the spillway.

Trolling anglers should target trout in the main lake, near deep water. The trout are feeding heavily on 2-4" shad. Try using baits that match the size, profile and color of the baitfish. Rapala Shad Raps, Scatter Raps, Rattle traps, and Jointed Shad Raps are a very close match to the natural forage. Another way to get a few more bites is to add scent to your lures. Pro Cure gel in shad scent, or threadfin shad scent will do the trick. Don't forget to bring some crawlers. A single crawler threaded on the hook fished behind a single gold or silver blade is a great way to pick up a few fish. Bank anglers should try using a bubble and a fly rig in the mornings and evenings. Or soak some night crawlers and Power Bait midday. Also, try fishing some other local lakes and streams. Fly Fisherman, head to rivers, streams, and creeks. Try using nymphs and buggers midday. Switch a dry fly for some evening surface activity.

Photo #1: Jim and Debbie Dirickson caught two limits of chunky kokanee.

Kokanee: Good. Anglers are catching their limits in 45-85' of water. The kokanee will suspend in cool water over creek channels and the main river channel. The fish that are being caught are very fat and up to 13-15" in length. Anglers should try fishing the main lake near the dam, spillway, and Rose Island. Lures with blades will produce flash and vibration that aggravate fish and trigger more bites. A few lures that have been working are, Mag Tackle Mini Mags, Rocky Mountain Super Squids and Assasins, Uncle Larry's Spinners, and Glitterbug's Bladed Micro Hoochies. Anglers should try these fish catching lures in pink, orange, and green. In deep water try using a large sling blade with a little bend in it. The larger blade will create vibration and draw fish from a distance. Also, as it violently rips through the school of fish it will trigger a reaction bite. Be sure to use plenty of scent on your blade and lure. Garlic, anise, kokanee special, carp spit, and bloody tuna are great scents that produce fish every year. Don't forget to tip your lures with scented and dyed shoe peg corn.

Bass: Good. Early morning and late evening try throwing top water baits. Anglers should try using smaller top water lures to get more bites. Poppers, Zara Puppies, Tiny Torpedos, and Rovers have been working well. Once the sun comes up the fish will pull off of the shoreline and out to deeper water. A Carolina rig is a great set up to cover water at many different depths. In areas where the water has a little stain to it, try using baits that will move more water. Such as, lizards, brush hogs, and curly tail grubs. We have been seeing a lot of big spotted bass being caught and we possibly have a world record swimming around out there. 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: Very good. Anglers are catching plenty of nice cats with average size being 4-8 pounds. Most fish are in shallow water from 5-20". Melones catfish tend to be fish-eaters rather than bottom foragers, so use live minnows, frozen shad, mackerel, or anchovies for best success. Also, chicken liver and night crawlers work well to. To attract fish at night try soaking your bait in anchovy scent, bloody tuna scent or garlic scent.

Crappie: Fair. 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 night fishing has been good for crappie and trout. Use a submersible light in the backs of the major creek arms. Also, the big blue gill have moved to shallow water to spawn.