Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 599,420 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 56-62 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: Fair. The water temperature continues to warm each week. The trout have been up near the surface the last few months and now are going to move to deeper, cooler water. Try fishing near deep creek channels and staying away from flat coves and pockets. Trolling anglers are still catching fish fairly shallow in the mornings and switching to deep water presentations once the sun comes up. Trolling at faster speeds has been working well and seems to draw more strikes than a slow troll. Speedy Shiners and Excel Spoons are both good choices for trolling spoons. The bright colored Rapalas have also been producing fish. Firetiger, Hot Steel and orange have been working well and will attract fish from a distance. The bite has slowed up quite a bit for the bank anglers. The fish are moving away from the shoreline and out toward the middle of the lake. To target trout from the shore try making a long cast with a heavy Kastmaster and covering water by making multiple casts. Also, try to find areas with deep water nearby. The steep banks will have cool water for the trout to hold in.

Kokanee: Very Soon. A few local guides have found some kokanee and expect them to start biting in the next few weeks. This warming trend in the weather should jump start the kokanee bite. In the next couple weeks we should start seeing a few limits. To target kokanee try trolling in 40-60' of water. A small blade trailed by a small hoochie is a good setup that works every year.

Bass: Very 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: Fair. The catfish are moving into shallow water and the bite should pick up in the next couple of weeks. 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: Fair. 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.