Water Conditions:?? New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,432,281 acre-feet of water.?? The lake held steady again 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 64-67 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.?? As the water cools, rainbows move into the shallows, and bank fishing turns on.?? The Department of Fish and Game has begun regular plantings at New Melones, so action should start picking up.?? Richard Price of Sonora wins the Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest (trout) this week with our 1st bank-caught rainbow of the season!?? He used a worm/marshmallow combo while fishing off of Glory Hole Point to catch a 2-pound, 12-ounce rainbow.?? Congratulations, Richard- come in for your free deli lunch!?? 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 in the creeks, while worms/marshmallows or Power Bait will work best in Melones.?? 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. ??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.

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.???? A fair spoon bite is developing over submerges island tops.?? And of course, big rainbow-trout patterned swimbaits are catching big bass!?? 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. Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest (catfish) was won this week by Howard Cloud and Cody Moore.?? They used sardines to land two matched catfish.?? One weighed 5-pounds, 2-ounces, and one weighed 5-pounds, 4-ounces. I'm not sure who had the biggest fish, so I'm not sure who the winner is, though!

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.??