Water Conditions:?? New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,427,769 acre-feet of water.?? The lake held pretty steady this week and is currently 995 ft. above sea level and 91 ft. from full capacity.?? Surface water temperature remains 62-64 degrees. Water is still stained, with around 8-10 ft. visibility.?? All ramps are in the water.

Trout:?? Typical for this time of year, catching is slow 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.?? 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.?? As the water temperature cools, fish will move to the surface. Mike York of Sonora caught 3 nice Rainbows while bank fishing in Glory Hole Cove with a blue swimbait. They weighed in between 1pound, 1ounce and 1pound, 4ounce. Top lining is beginning to produce some trout near the mouths of major coves.?? 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.?? Tough fishing, but it will turn on soon, as the water temperature continues to drop, and the lake turns over. Paul Madsen of Murphys caught a 1pound, 9ounce Rainbow top lining near the spillway. Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest (trout) is won by Greg Branson of Angels Camp with his beautiful 3pound Brown Trout caught trolling near the spillway with a broken back Rapala in shad pattern. Congratulations, Greg! 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:?? Very difficult. The bite appears to be typical of September instead of November. The bite is mushy so pay attention- it's easy to miss the opportunity to set your hook. It's hard to target these fish, but look for bass on main lake points and up creek channels.?? Split shotting seems to be a good bet with 4" Roboworms in crawdad colors, although the bigger fish have been caught on swimbaits, such as the Huddleston. Anglers are finding the bigger bass at 25' to 35' depth. 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.?? No cats were brought in for pictures this week, but we heard of several still being caught.

Crappie and bluegill:Night fishing under a light is best. Crappie can be found hanging out in submerged trees, about 25'-35' 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.??