Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 513,099 acre-feet of water. The lake level is starting to rise a few inches each day. It is currently at 860 ft. above sea level and 216 ft. from full. The water clarity is stained in some areas, and clear in others. The water temperature continues to cool with the average being 59-63 degrees. Tuttletown launch is closed. Glory Hole Point boat launch is the road leading off the end of the point. It is a dirt launch without courtesy docks and 4wd is recommended.


Trout: Good. The trout bite continues to be productive with most anglers finding limits of nice rainbows. The trout have moved to the upper portion of the water column. This makes them easier to target without the use of downriggers. Try top-lining, leadcore line or shallow running diving planes to reach the depth that the fish are holding. Trolling anglers are finding success on a variety of shad patterned baits. Needlefish, Excel and Speedy Shiner Spoons have been working well. Also try using small crankbaits and lipless crankbaits. The bait the fish are feeding on is small so be sure to downsize your presentation. Another trick to getting more bites is using a light fluorocarbon leader. Fluorocarbon will disappear in the water and the small diameter will allow the lure to have more action. Bank fishing anglers are starting to catch a few fish. Try fan casting a ?? oz Kastmaster for roaming fish. The trout are starting to pick up bait offerings along the shoreline. A marshmallow/crawler combo or a ball of Power Bait Dough will entice these fish into biting.


Kokanee: Done. The fish have entered spawn mode and will soon start dying off. We have heard very few reports of them in shallow water.


Bass: Good. The weather has been very inconsistent which has the bass bite changing daily. They are constantly on the move from deep to shallow and back to deep depending on what the bait is doing. The fish are very healthy and stuffed full of shad. Spooning has been a go to method to catch these fish that are gorging on schools of shad. Try using a 3/8 to 3/4oz spoon fished alongside submerged trees, outside bends and rock bluffs. Another way to catch a bunch of fish is with a shad patterned worm fished on a drop-shot rig. Smaller baits are producing more fish because there is an abundance of small 1" to 2" shad. Once you locate the bait you can catch multiple fish in that area. For bigger bites try using a C.R.L. Jig. These jigs are made locally and come in a variety of fish catching colors that are designed for our Mother Lode lakes. Not as many bites throughout the day but, the bigger fish can't resist a natural colored crawdad patterned jig dragging across the bottom.


Catfish: Good. Our Fall Catfish Contest is complete. We had a full field of 50 entries signed up. 1st Place of $250 goes to Elmo Baur who weighed in a 17.25-pound cat. 2nd Place of $150 goes to Steve Humphrey who landed a 16.55-pound cat and 3rd Place of $100 goes to Lynn Humphrey who brought a 13.33-pound cat to the scales. We have had some recent rain and hope for more in the forecast. Each year the bigger cats will move up during the rain and feed in areas that have fresh water coming into them. The fresh water will wash nutrients and insects into the lake. This will attract crawdads and small fish. The big cats will move up and feed on these smaller creatures. Try using frozen fish baits fished in shallow water. Shad, anchovy and sardine are all good choices. A good way to fish for catfish is without any added weight. Use enough bait to make a cast and let it sink to the bottom and lifelessly drift. This weight-less approach has been known to fool some of the biggest cats. Be sure to leave slack in the line so the fish does not feel any tension. Also try using nightcrawlers and chicken liver.