Water Conditions:?? New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,432,281 acre-feet of water- exactly the same as last week.?? 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 63-65 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. We are starting to hear about the occasional fish caught from shore, so things are looking up for bank anglers.???? The Department of Fish and Game has begun regular plantings at New Melones, so action should start picking up.?? Tyler Fernandez of Sonora wins the Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest (trout) this week with a 3-pound, 1 ounce rainbow, caught on a nightcrawler while bank fishing.???? Congratulations, Tyler- come in for your free deli lunch!?? Bank anglers should try the major coves, such as Glory Hole or Angels Cove.???? Use worms/marshmallows or chartreuse or rainbow glitter Power Bait.?? Fishing off the bottom with a 18"-24" leader is preferable to fishing under a bobber.?? Be sure your bait floats off the bottom- use small (#12 or#14 hooks) and light line, and inflate your worm with a worm inflator.?? The marshmallows work as a float, too.?? Trollers have reported finding fish shallower- 15-40 feet deep, in the spillway/dam area.?? As the water temperature cools, fish will move to the surface.???? Trolling a crawler/spinner combo or Power Bait/spinner combo is good, and with the stained water, a brightly colored Apex is a good choice, too.?? Use ball trolls (flashers on your downrigger ball).???? 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 near the spillway- 80-100 feet deep is ideal.?????? 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:?? Slow, but we are seeing bass chasing shad in the coves- watch for the shad boils, and you will find hungry bass. If bass aren't actively feeding, 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, as well as in major coves and creek channels.?? If you find a school of shad, chances are there will be a school of bass chasing it.?? Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and spoons may all get those hungry bass to bite.???? 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.?? 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 Mike Derby.?? He was fishing for trout off of Glory Hole Point, using green Power Bait.?? He caught two nice cats.?? One weighed 9-pounds, 12-ounces, and one weighed 8-pounds, 7-ounces.

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.??