Water Conditions:?? New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,558,868 acre-feet of water.?? The lake dropped 2 feet this week, and is currently 1009 ft. above sea level and 79 ft. from full capacity.?? Surface water temperature is about 79-84 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.?? Although it is very rare to catch a fish from shore at New Melones this time of year, Jonathan Brouillette caught a 4-pound rainbow off the bank on salmon eggs near Glory Hole Point.?? 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 spillway, dam, or Black Bart Cove.?? Drop your submersible 20 feet deep and fish 30-50 feet deep with a crawler/Power Bait combo.?? Japanese foreign exchange student Ryota, who is visiting the Perrone family, had a great night-fishing experience.?? He caught a 4-pound, 10-ounce rainbow on a nightcrawler.?? He would have won the big fish contest, but they didn't bring the fish into the store.?? At any rate, it was a beautiful fish!?? Diane Kiyota of Sacramento caught a 4-pound, 5-ounce rainbow while night fishing near the spillway.?? She wins our Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest.?? Pete and Debra Jogopulos caught 4 nice rainbows on crawlers while night fishing.?? 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.?? Steve Peeples of Valley Springs caught a nice 3-pounder on a pink Apex trolled 45 feet deep near Rose Island.

Kokanee:???? Fishing continues to be great- everyone is talking about the great kokanee bite at Melones.?? 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 are your best bet.?? Murphy's Bugs, Uncle Larry's Spinners, Sockeye Slammers, Pro-troll Kokanee Killers or Apex in pink or any UV color are also catching kokanee.?? Attractors mentioned were dodgers, Sling Blades, or Wild Things in pink, watermelon or chrome.?? ProCure scents in garlic, freshwater shrimp, and herring are all good choices. Guide Bruce Hamby of Sierra Sportfishing says that Pro Cure freshwater shrimp and herring scents have been working great for him, and he has been finding limits for everyone on his boat.???? As kokanee move closer to the spawn, many pros add a little Bang crawdad scent to their corn, too.?? Anglers who caught limits of kokanee this week include Bob Mannina, Frank and Anthony Cerrone, Pail Roberts, Bill and Leonard Passalaqua, Fritz Collier, John Polluck, Chris Dowling, Rick and Richard Buckley, Daryl Romond, and Steve and Theresa Kleckner, Joe Hallett, and John Darroch.

Bass:?? the bite has slowed somewhat, with smaller fish being the norm.?? Bass have moved to main lake points holding deep structure, with some holding on to points upriver.?? Spinnerbaits or deep diving crankbaits drug across these points will catch fish.?? Drop-shot rigged or Carolina-rigged 6" worms or Baby Brush Hogs in crawdad colors such as Roboworm's Aaron's Magic or Zoom watermelon or green pumpkin fished in the same areas are another good choice.???? There continues to be a top-water bite when the sun is off the water (dawn and dusk) or in a shady spot near deep water, such as upriver next to steep rock walls or next to the bridge pilings.?? Night fishing is very good, with fish more plentiful and active.?? Use a dark (June bug or black) worm or spinnerbait in the same areas.?? 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.?? Glory Hole Sports employee Derek Fabbro caught the biggest catfish this week- an 8-pound, 10 ouncer, on mackerel off of Glory Hole Point.?? Since he already gets a free deli lunch every day, we have awarded the Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest (catfish) and a free deli lunch to the 2nd biggest catfish, caught by Wesley Walker and Mike Swart of Sacramento, who caught 5 nice cats weighing up to 7-pounds, 8-ounces, on sardines while still fishing from their boat near the spillway.?? Frank Galanski of Crystal Falls used frozen shad while still fishing from his boat near the marina to catch a 7-pound, 7-ouncer.

Crappie and bluegill:?? The crappie bite is 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.?? Bluegill are plentiful, and are great for keeping the kids entertained.?? A large bobber with a piece of a nightcrawler under it thrown into the back of a cove or cut where there is lots of structure will catch little sunfish almost the second it hits the water.?? Bend down the barb on the hook to make releasing the little fish easier.