Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,054,120 acre-feet of water. The lake level two feet this week and is currently at 950 ft. above sea level and 136 ft. from full. The water is slightly stained with some areas forming mud lines. There is also a little bit of debris on the surface. The average water temperature is 56-62 degrees and rising daily. The boat launch ramps at Tuttletown and Glory Hole Point are both open.


Trout: Slow. The trout bite has been getting a little tougher each week. The lake level is dropping and the water temperature is warming. This will push the trout from the shallows back out to deeper/cooler water. Try to find areas with clearer water that are protected from the wind and have deep water access. Also, if you are fishing an area with slightly stained to murky water, try using bright colored baits and lures. Bank anglers have been catching a very few fish. Glory Hole Point is a good area to try because the main river channel swings close to the shoreline. For bait try using chartreuse or rainbow garlic scented Power Bait. To locate fish try fan casting a Kastmaster. Gold, brook trout, and orange are all good color choices for stained water. Trolling anglers try targeting the fish with the use of downriggers or leadcore line, from 30-60' of water. The fish should be near creek channels and the river channel and heading back out to the main lake. The cooler water near these areas is where they will be in the hotter summer months. When fishing in water that has a lower visibility try trolling with lures that have rattles. Speed Traps, Rattle Traps, and other small crank baits are a few favorites. When fishing the main lake and near deep water it is a good idea to have a couple lines in the water targeting brown trout. Try rolling shad or trolling large jointed plugs or swim baits. A good area for browns is out in front of the dam/spillway area or between the bridges. It is also a good idea to add plenty of scent and remember to reapply throughout the day.


We do encourage catch and release for the brown trout as The Department of Fish and Game will no longer be planting them. Carefully measure, weigh and photograph trophy fish and send us pictures and information.


Kokanee: Slow. The fish generally start biting again in the spring mid-April into May, but we've had reports of a few being caught. We expect the bite to come on any day now. Try trolling a pink hoochie, spinner, or bug behind a teardrop dodger while trout fishing and you might pick up a few kokanee. Also, nightcrawler and garlic nightcrawler scent works best at the first part of the season.


Bass: Good. The bass are moving into shallow water and staging for the spawn. To catch shallow fish try using small bright colored crank baits or spinner baits. To target deeper/staging fish that are staging on offshore structure, try using a drop-shot rig with a 4-6" straight tail worm. Bold Bluegill is a color that Roboworm makes that works exceptionally well during the spring months. Another deep water fish catcher is a football head jig. Try fishing ?? - ?? ounce jigs in crawdad colors. Brown/purple, green pumpkin/purple, and green pumpkin are all good color choices. Remember to using matching trailers. Last but definitely not least is the Yamamoto Senko. These baits catch a bunch of fish and every once in awhile a big one. Try fishing them on a Texas rig or wacky rigged.


Catfish: Fair. The catfish will soon be moving to shallow water near rock piles and ledges. In the next few weeks we will start to see more and more cats being caught. Melones cats tend to be fish eaters. Frozen shad, anchovies, sardines, and mackerel work well for bait. The water temperature is warming faster than most years due to lack of rain and extremely warm weather. In past years some giant cats have been caught in shallow water during and a few days after a rain storm.


Crappie: Slow. The crappie bite is right around the corner. We expect a fairly good bite this spring due to the lower water levels and the amount of standing timber. Try fishing with mini jigs and grubs under a slip-float. Also a great way to catch them is with live minnows. We have had a few reports of some pretty nice crappie being caught.