Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 601,143 acre-feet of water. The lake level came up over two feet this last week and a total of over seven feet since February 1st. It is currently at 878 ft. above sea level and 201 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. The trout are still up and roaming the shallow flats and tapered banks. The water has a bit of tint to it so it is a good idea to use bright colors and baits with scent. Also, the lake came up from the rainfall and certain areas have had fresh water pushed into them. This fresh water will usually attract fish big and small. Trolling anglers have had luck fishing between the two bridges. Most fish being caught are from the surface down to about 20'. Many anglers have reported a faster troll speed to be working best, try trolling from 2 to 3 mph. The Rapala Shad Rap, Floating Minnow and Countdown in fire tiger and hot steel have been producing a bunch of fish. Also, try using spinners in bright colors with gold and copper blades. Tipping the spinner with a crawler and adding scent has been a go-to presentation. When the trolling bite slows, some anglers have found success by pulling to shore, casting bait and still fishing.

Bank anglers brought in a bunch of limits this last week. Glory Hole Point, Glory Hole Cove and by the 49-Bridge are good areas to drop a line. Power Bait and nightcrawlers will produce multiple bites throughout the day. The garlic scented bait has outperformed all others. It is very important that your bait floats off of the bottom. Use a light wire hook and light line and use a worm blower to inflate your crawlers.

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

Bass: Good. The Glory Hole Sports BIG BASS BASH is this next Saturday, February 21. Rules and information are posted on the front page of our website. Bass anglers have been having success catching a handful of bass on each outing with a couple giant fish being caught here and there. Some fish are still holding in deep water and a few fish are starting to move closer to the shoreline. A variety of soft plastic presentations have been producing bites. To target fish in deeper water try using a drop-shot rig. The fish have been feeding heavily on shad, and any small shad patterned worm will work. To target fish that are up closer to shore, try throwing a dart head, Carolina rig or shakey head rig, with a bulkier type creature bait or lizard. Another great way to fish both deep a shallow is with a football head jig. Try using crawdad colors and mix and match your trailers depending on water clarity. Some of the nice fish have been caught on swim baits. This style of fishing is very low percentage, but when you get bit it is generally a good one.

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. Try fishing near large rocks and boulders. Try using frozen shad or crawler to get bites. Be sure to use plenty of scent on your bait.

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.