Water Conditions:?? New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,436,349 acre-feet of water.?? The lake held steady this week, and is currently 996 ft. above sea level and 90 ft. from full capacity.?? Surface water temperature has really dropped, and is about 64-68 degrees. Water has cleared slightly, but is still stained, with around 6-10 ft. visibility.?? All ramps are in the water.??

Trout:?? tough fishing out there right now, which is typical for this time of year, as the lake is in transition.?? Many bass anglers caught trout while throwing top-water baits in the coves this week- a sure sign that trout are moving in to shallower water as the water cools.?? Bank anglers will have best luck in local creeks and rivers (such as Angels Creek).?? Bank fishing at Melones should pick up around Thanksgiving.?? Hopefully we will have another great year!?? Berkley Power Bait or Power Eggs, or Pautski's Salmon Eggs are your best bet.?? Trollers had a really tough time this week. Fish are 80-100 feet deep, and there is so much bait in the water at so many different depths, that the fish don't seem to be holding to any particular pattern, and they aren't hungry.?? We have heard of some action close to the surface on nightcrawlers, and a few anglers said they got nibbles much deeper.?? Rolling shad may get you a rainbow or a big, beautiful brown trout, especially upriver.?? Glory Hole Sports hosted the Outdoor Writers' Conference fishing derby this week. Guides Danny Layne, Monte Smith, and Fred Thomasen all participated, and took sportswriters out on Melones for a few hours of fishing.?? They had a few hook-ups, but no one got a fish in the boat.?? When these guys don't catch fish, you know it's tough!?? As Danny Layne said, they saw an eagle trying to catch a fish, and even it couldn't get one!?? Tough fishing, but it will turn on soon, as the water temperature continues to drop, and the lake turns over.?? Night fishing under a submersible light is another way to target trout at this time of year.?? Anchor in the deepest water you can- 80-100 feet deep is ideal.?? The area in front of the spillway is the most productive spot, but under the Highway 49 Stevenot Bridge, over the islands between the spillway and Glory Hole Point, and in front of the dam are all good places, too.?? Drop your submersible light into the water, as deep as you can get it.?? The light attracts plankton, which attract shad, which attracts trout.?? This takes some time, so be patient. ??Use a worm threader to thread a nightcrawler up your line, and tip your hook with some glitter Power Bait Select.??

Kokanee:???? Done for the season.?? I think the kokanee have finally figured out that it's fall, and have moved up into the creek arms to spawn. Many bass anglers reported seeing spawning fish in Rose Creek and Mormon Creek this weekend.????

Bass:?? Tough bite. Fish are sluggish, and the bite is soft.?? Pay attention- it's easy to miss the opportunity to set your hook.?? Trout trollers are catching big bass, since many are chasing shad in the main lake. It's hard to target these fish, but look for bass on main lake points and submerged island tops that are holding bait. If you find a school of shad, chances are there will be a school of bass chasing it.???? Drop-shot rigged or Carolina-rigged 6" worms or Baby Brush Hogs in crawdad colors such as Roboworm's Aaron's Magic or dart-headed Zoom watermelon or green pumpkin fished in the same areas are all working.???? 100 Percent Bass held a big Tournament of Champions here on Melones last weekend.???? Over 150 teams descended on Angels Camp with boats in tow and high hopes.?? New Melones Lake was her fickle fall self, and fishing was rough.?? Many of the western region's top anglers couldn't put a limit in the livewell.?? While most anglers dragged brown jigs and drop-shotted shad-patterned worms and found 1-pound fish, two local teams really shined by throwing Huddleston Swimbaits.?? On the 1st day, Alex Niapas and Tom Schachten grabbed the lead with over 17 pounds of fish- the 2nd place team only had 12 pounds.?? Everyone was sure they would be the winners, and many anglers left for home without fishing the 2nd day.?? On day two, things changed.?? Alex and Tom had a tough time, and couldn't find any big fish.?? Aaron Cole and Greg Allec figured out the bite, and brought a whopping 25+ pounds of fish to the scale, which, combined with their 10-pound (3rd place) bag from the day before, gave them over 37 pounds of fish, and knocked Tom Schachten and Alex Niapas into 2nd place.?? Cole and Allec won a beautiful boat valued at about $40,000, and Niapas and Schachten took home a big bag of cash.?? An amazing weekend of fishing for both teams- hurray for the local boys!?? 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:?? 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.

Crappie and bluegill: 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.??