Water Conditions:?? New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,432,372 acre-feet of water.?? The lake water level has been steady for the past few weeks, and is at 995 ft. above sea level and 91 ft. from full capacity.?? Surface water temperature remains 61-63 degrees. Water is stained in the creek channels, with around 8-12 ft. visibility.?? The main lake is gin clear, with approximately 15-20 ft. visibility.?? All ramps are in the water.??

Trout:?? slow, but picking up.?? As the water temperature 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 we are seeing more planters caught,?? both from shore and by trollers.???? Bank anglers should try the major coves, such as Glory Hole or Angels Cove, or off of Glory Hole Point.???? 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.???? Trollers should target the main lake, and the entrance to major coves and creek arms, such as Glory Hole Cove or Angels Creek.?? Fish are being found fairly shallow now, despite the warm water.?? Fish 15-25 feet deep.?? Successful trollers seem to have the best luck with shad-patterned lures such as Apex, Needlefish or Rapala Countdowns, and they are not using additional attractors such as dodgers or flashers. Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest (trout) was won by 13-year-old Vincent Jachetta of Valley Springs, who trolled a silver Needlefish 25-feet deep by the spillway to catch a beautiful 3-pound, 13-ounce brown trout.?? Greg Branson caught a limit that included a nice brown while trolling a silver Kastmaster 12-15 feet deep in the same area.?? Bill Marcy had good luck trolling a nightcrawler behind a flasher 15-feet deep near Rose Island.???? Casey and Matt Roberts were still-fishing from their boat in the Angels Creek arm when they caught 2 brown trout and a nice rainbow.?? They reported seeing several spawning kokanee in the area as well.?? 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.?? Kokanee have been spotted spawning in Rose Creek, Angels Creek and other areas.?? They are no good to eat at this point, but it is fun to see them.?? After spawning, the kokanee die.?? This is a normal part of their life-cycle.

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. Look for bass on main lake points and up into the 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. Val Garringer and Jeff Johnson won the Angler's Choice Semi-Pro team tournament held on New Melones this week, thanks to the 9.08-pound largemouth that Garringer caught on a Huddleston swimbait!?? Their total 5-fish limit weighed 13.19-pounds, winning them $1,865.?? Congratulations, guys!?? 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:?? We are still seeing some big ones!?? 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.?? Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest (catfish) was won by Ed McNally of Sonora, who landed a 13-pounder and a 7-pounder while soaking chicken liver under the Highway 49 Stevenot Bridge.?? Andrew Labriola caught a 9-pound, 4-ounce catfish on Power Bait while fishing from Glory Hole Point.?????? Steve Hale caught a 7-pound, 7-ouncer on a crawler/Power Bait combo while fishing off the same point.?? All of these catfish were caught very shallow and near shore.

Crappie and bluegill: Slow.?? 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. ??