Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,130,008 acre-feet of water. The lake level dropped two feet this week, and is currently at 960 ft. above sea level and 126 ft. from full. The average water temperature is a very warm 78-84 degrees. The lake is stained with mud lines forming near the shore in the afternoon.

Trout: Slow. The trout are in deeper/cooler water. The surface temperature is very warm which will keep the trout from coming up to shallow water. Focus on the main river channel where cool water is constantly flowing. Trout feed primarily on 3-5" shad. Night fishing anglers are still successfully catching limits of 2-pound rainbows near the dam and the spillway. Night crawlers and Power Bait have been the two most productive baits to use at night. Also, try using a vertical jigging spoon under and around the light to simulate injured and dying shad. Trolling anglers have been catching a few fish while trolling for the kokanee. Late summer can be an awesome time to troll large plug style baits in deep water for large rainbows. Try using shad patterned Rapalas, Rattle Traps, and Speed Traps to target these fish. Bank anglers try a marshmallow crawler combo or Berkley Garlic Power Bait. There are very few trout being caught from the shore. You might consider heading to one of the high country lakes for better bank fishing. Fly fishing anglers try fishing local rivers, creeks, and streams. Use beaded headed Prince Nymphs, Copper John's, and Pheasant Tails midday. In the evening try switching to a dry fly. Stimulators, Adams, and Humpys are all good choices for dry flies.

Kokanee: Good. The kokanee are working their way upriver for their annual spawn and die. We have reports of a few fish being caught in the dam spillway area, but the majority of fish are being caught near the 49 bridge. The fish are very clean, healthy and fat. The bite has been good and the fish are extremely feisty. The kokanee have been schooling in deep water for the last few months. Try targeting fish from 70-100' of water. In deep water there has very little light penetration so it is important to use blades that will stand out. Gold and copper are better choices than silver in dark or dirty water. Vibration is another important factor to consider. Try using baits that have a Colorado or a Dakota blade. These blade styles produce a pulse that will draw fish to your bait. Use plenty of scent on your sling blade/dodger and bait. A few good choices are bloody tuna, garlic nightcrawler, and kokanee special. Don't forget to tip your baits with scented shoe peg corn.

Bass: Fair. The nights have been cooler and the bass bite is starting to pick up. Most fish are being caught on soft plastics fished in deep water. Natural crawdad and shad colored baits will produce fish. Try fishing long points, humps, and bluffs with deep/cooler water nearby. The fish will spend in the day suspended in deeper water, and move shallow in the mornings and evening to feed. A good way to catch them is with a drop shot rig and a 6" hand poured worm. This setup can be fished in shallow and deep water. The shad are schooled up and staging in the main lake near the mouths of creek channels. If you can locate these balls of shad there will be fish around them. Try ripping a 1/2oz. to 3/4oz. spoon through the bait balls. Often times if you disturb the bait you can trigger the bass into biting. If you do keep a bass, please keep the small 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. Target flat areas near deep water such as; island tops and long points. The catfish will use these areas as a dinner table to feed.