Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 296,196 acre-feet of water. The lake level dropped three feet this last week. It is currently at 807 ft. above sea level and 281 ft. from full. The water clarity is stained in many areas and will occasionally clear up. The water temperature is warm, with the average being 76-81 degrees. The dam area has been buoyed off due to current that is created when releasing water. Glory Hole Point boat launch is a two lane dirt and gravel road leading off of the end of the point. There is not a courtesy dock and it is best to launch with a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

Trout: Slow. The lake has had very little boating traffic due to the low water conditions and the compromised boat launching facilities. With a 4-wheel drive vehicle launching is very doable. The trout fishing can be extremely good in late summer and early fall. It is hard to say the bite is slow when there are so few anglers targeting trout. We can only assume the fish are feeding somewhere and can be caught with some sort of presentation. Trolling anglers it is best to fish over the old lake of Melones to avoid snags and to ensure you are fishing over deep/cool water. Once you have come up with a snag-free trolling path, try making multiple passes and changing depth, speed, color and vibration. In years past anglers have done well trolling lures that wobble and rattle. When fishing deep it is very important to create vibration. The fish will be able to track down lures that is consistently produce sound and vibration. Night fishing anglers are catching a few trout while fishing under a submersible light. Try fishing steep banks and bluffs near deep water. The outside edges of the dam and toward Rose Island are good areas to try and are some of the deepest areas of the old lake. Bank anglers try fishing local lakes in the high country. We do encourage catch and release for the brown trout as The Department of Fish and Game will no longer be planting them. Carefully measure, weigh and photograph trophy fish and send us pictures and information.

Kokanee: Slow. With such few anglers targeting kokaneem, it is difficult to produce an accurate report. However, based on years past the kokanee will start to work their way upriver for their annual spawn and die. With this in mind, the majority of the fish will be near Carson Creek and up toward the 49-bridge. The fish will be starting to get a little color with some having a little hook mouth showing. Try targeting fish from 70-100' of water. Kokanee will tend to be very aggressive at this time of year and will hit some fairly large lures. There are a few different setups that generally produce limits. Try using an Apex fished behind a large dodger. Black, blue, purple and pink are all good color choices for both the blade and the lure. It is very important to add plenty of scent to the blade and lure. Garlic, anise, kokanee special, and bloody tuna are a few favorites. Don't forget to tip your baits with dyed and scented shoe peg corn.

Bass: Fair. We are currently in the middle of the dog days of summer, which is typically not the best season to target bass. However there are windows of opportunity that can be capitalized on. The early morning, before the sun comes up can be a good time to catch actively feeding fish. Try using a topwater plug that resembles a small fish chasing shad. The bite will usually last for awhile even after the sun comes up. The evening can be a fun time to be on the water. Watch the sun and the shade. If the topwater bite isn't producing, switch to soft plastic bottom bouncing baits. Try using a Wright Baits 6"ST worm fished on a shakeyhead. This can be rigged weedless, and works well around brush and submerged timber. Many fish will pull off the shoreline and suspend over deep water. These fish can be difficult to locate and target. Try using baits that are the size and shape of the baitfish. Also, try using baits that can be fished at various depths. Spoons, underspins and small swimbaits are good choices and can be counted down to a desired depth, then worked back to the boat. PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE. The bigger fish are the future of our lake. Take photos and carefully release the fish back into to the lake to maintain a healthy fish population for generations to come.

Catfish: Good. Many anglers have found some nice catfish cruising the shallows near the standing timber and rocky banks. Catfish are known to be bottom-feeders but, they actual feed all throughout the water column. Catfish are opportunistic feeders. This means they rarely pass up the chance to fill their bellies. The lake has an abundance of small shad and that is most likely what the catfish are feeding on. Try using frozen shad or live minnows to entice nearby feeding fish. Some catfish will leave the bottom and feed in the middle of the water column. Try using a slip-float and a bobber stop to target these fish. Set the bobber stop to your desired depth and try fishing near structure that would be a good area to ambush shad.

Crappie: Good. We have had a few reports of anglers catching some nice crappie. They have not been catching a bunch, but the ones that are biting are nice and weigh up to 2-pounds. Live minnows fished under a light have been working best.