Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 577,114 acre-feet of water. The lake level came up over three feet this last week. It is currently at 876 ft. above sea level and 203 ft. from full. The water clarity is stained in most of the lake with a few areas having some clear water. The water temperature is stable and has warmed slightly with the average being 53-56 degrees. Tuttletown launch is closed. Glory Hole Point boat launch is open with a two lane concrete ramp and a dock. 4wd is no longer needed to launch.

Trout: Good. This last storm produced a bunch of rainfall. The creek channels and feeder creeks that have been dry for months were all gushing with rain water. These feeders will supply the lake with nutrients. These areas are likely spots for small fish to come and feed. The bigger fish will then follow and feed on the small fish. Bank anglers try floating a nightcralwer in the shallows near fresh flowing water or use a lure that represent a small baitfish. For those who like to fish with Power Bait, it is best to use bright colors in stained water. Rainbow, chartreuse and orange are all good choices. Be sure to add an ample amount of scent to any of your presentations, this will help the fish find your bait when there is low visibility. Trolling anglers now is a good time to use lures that produce sound and vibration. Lures with rattles such as Rattle Traps and Speed Traps work extremely well when the water is stained. As far as vibration goes lures with a Colorado blade will produce a pulse that will bring the fish to the bait. Another thing to keep in mind is bright colors work best in stained water. If the trolling bite is not productive, try pulling up on the shore line and still fishing. Nightcrawlers and Power Bait work well. It is also a good idea to try fan casting a Kastmaster while waiting for the fish to find your bait.

Kokanee: Done. Kokanee fishing generally is good from April to September.

Bass: Good. The bass bite has been good and most anglers are finding plenty of chunky spotted bass. Some fish are still in a winter pattern and other are leaning toward an early spring pattern. Try fishing in 35-55' foot of water and occasionally checking the shallow water. Most anglers are finding luck with soft plastics fished in various ways. Try using a drop-shot rig in deep water and switching to a Texas-rig in shallow water. Shad patterned baits have been working well. When fishing in areas with stained water try using bright colors. Also, there has been a pretty decent jig bite. Try using a ?? oz football head jig with a craw trailer. There have been a few tournaments in the past couple weeks and some big bass have hit the scales.

Catfish: Fair. We have had reports of quite a few anglers hooking into some quality catfish. The catfish generally move to deep water near rock piles and ledges, but many have been caught roaming in shallow flats. Most anglers don't target catfish at this time of the year. But, the ones that do will hook into some lunkers. Try fishing near large rocks and boulders. A large ball of crawlers is hard to beat. At this time of the year you will have to be very patient for the bites are few and far between. Be sure to use plenty of scent on you baits.

Crappie: Early spring is a great time to get into some big crappie. With the lake being lower than normal there are a bunch of trees that the crappie will hold in. The best way to catch the crappie is with a live minnow fished under a slip-float. Another good trick is to put the minnow on a mini jig. The color of the jig will help attract fish and the action of the minnow will make them bite. The crappie population on Melones has been down the last few years. We all know that crappie is delicious to eat, but please only keep what you can eat and let the rest spawn and hopefully bring the population back.