Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,031,840 acre-feet of water. The lake level dropped one foot this week and is currently at 947 ft. above sea level and 138 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 58-64 degrees and rising daily. The boat launch ramps on the Glory Hole side have been moved back out to the end of the point.


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 very few fish. Glory Hole Point and near the 49-bridge are good areas to try because the main river channel and cooler water is close. For bait try using nightcrawlers or chartreuse or rainbow garlic scented Power Bait. 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. Brighter colored baits have been working best. Orange, chartreuse and firetiger will work good for browns and rainbows. 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.


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. 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 use matching trailers. Last but definitely not least is the Yamamoto Senko. Try fishing them wacky around rocks and Texas rig them around wood. They come in many fish catching colors but watermelon (194) and watermelon/red (208) are hard to beat. These baits catch a bunch of fish and every once in awhile a big one.


Catfish: Fair. The water temperature is getting warmer each day which will encourage the cats to move shallow. Try using frozen shad or a ball of crawlers to target these fish. Catfish are drawn to bait by scent so it is a good idea to add additional scent to your bait. Try using garlic, sardine, anchovy or bloody tuna to increase the amount of bite on each outing.


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.