Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 603,084 acre-feet of water. The lake level dropped a little bit this last week. It is currently at 878 ft. above sea level and 201 ft. from full. The water clarity is fairly clear in most of the lake with a few areas having some stained water. The water temperature is stable and has warmed slightly with the average being 54-61 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. It was another good week for anglers targeting trout. The trout are holding in fairly shallow water from 5-25'. Try fishing the main lake near the dam and the spillway or heading upriver toward the mouth of Coyote creek. Trolling anglers have been trolling a bit faster to draw strikes. Try trolling from 2-3mph. Most anglers have been having luck fishing trolling spoons, Excels, Needlefish and Speedy Shiners are all good choices. Also, try using a variety of Rapalas. A few favorites include, Jointed Floaters, Jointed Shad Raps and Countdowns. Shad patterns work well in clear water and bright orange, green and firetiger will work best in stained water. Some anglers have been catching fish on a dodger/crawler combo. Bank anglers have been catching a few limits here and there. Glory Hole Point, Glory Hole Cove and the 49-bridge are good areas to drop a line. Try floating a nightcrawler off of the bottom or soaking some garlic scented Power Bait. Tossing lures can be an effective way to target trout from the shore. Kastmasters catch a bunch of fish and are easy to cast a long distance. Be sure to add additional scent to any of your trout rigs.

Kokanee: Soon. A few local guides have found some kokanee and expect them to start biting in the next few weeks.

Bass: Good. The bass bite continues to be very productive with most anglers getting plenty of bites on each outing. Most of the fish are still pulled off the bank and staging on structure. Try fishing in 30-40' of water with a bottom bouncing bait. Try using a heavy football jig to get to the bottom quick and stay there. California Reservoir Lures makes a handful of ??- ?? ounce jigs that will be sure to get bites. Some fish have been caught recently on reaction baits. Try tossing crankbaits, ripbaits and spinnerbaits to find areas that are holding schools of fish. The swimbait bite has slowed up some but, the smaller style swimbaits are getting bit. Slim Thrashers, Keitech Swing Impact and Skinny Dippers fished on a jig head is a good way to pick up a few quality fish. Some anglers are catching a bunch of fish on soft plastic presentations. Pick your favorite worm or creature bait and fish it on a drop-shot, shakey head, dart head, Texas rig or Carolina rig. When fishing in stained water try using bulkier baits like Brush Hogs and Lizards. Baits with a large profile will disperse water, which makes it easier for bass to locate them.

Catfish: Good. The catfish are showing up near the bank and many anglers are catching multiple fat cats on each outing. Catfish anglers have been using frozen shad, mackerel and anchovies to haul in some hefty cats. One key to getting bites is soaking your bait in scent. There is a bunch of exposed wood and the catfish seem to relate to it. Be sure to use stout hooks and heavy line to keep them from tangling in the brush.

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.