New Melones Lake level has dropped 9.50 ft. since May 1. currently at 1048.15 ft. and 39.85 ft. from full. Water temperature across the lake is 69-73 degrees. Water clarity is clear. The water level is not falling super fast, but be aware of submerged hilltops coming up just below the surface. Anglers may think their fish finder is on the fritz when you come up on the huge schools of shad, some reported to be 30 x 50 yards wide.

We like to promote catch and release on New Melones. If you do so, provide us a picture and bring it in for a copy or email it to us at gloryholesports@yahoo.com so we can put it on the board or in the newsletter.

Anglers FYI: For anyone with a potential lake record please call us at the store and hopefully we can send someone to weigh, photograph and measure the catch at the lake. GHS is the unofficial recorder of lake records for New Melones, and we understand there is sometimes conflicting interest in the welfare of the catch, whether or not to release the potential record, sacrificing your place as a record holder for the lake.

We do promote catch and release. For potential lake records, record the statistics of the fish... length, girth, weight and photographed at the lake before releasing her. If indeed we can verify the information that is provided, such as a witness, comparing the scale used with ours, a photograph with the fish hanging from the scale and can see the scale weight, etc...then we can accept this as proof. If your catch has expired than indeed bring it in to GHS so we can record it here, and you can have it mounted!

TROUT

The last week a Glory Hole Sports has seen an abundant of beautiful rainbow and brown trout anglers have landed while out on New Melones Lake. From 3 lb.6 oz. to 9 lb.10 oz. brown, the bite here continues to improve weekly with a couple limits being landed this week. Main lake has produced much of the trout, near the dam, as well as fishing the 49 bridge. Put your time in on the water and you will be successful. Some of the hot baits on the lake for trout have been trolling hoochies in different colors along with dodger or flasher, rolling shad with a dodger, or Apex lure in a rainbow trout.

Kylie, Mac, & Ambers, fishing machines from Woodbridge were out on 5/28 trolling the main lake and gave a lesson on how to land some nice trout, two largest were 4 lb.11 oz, and 5 lb.8 oz. They reported rolling shad behind a sling blade, and using a watermelon Apex lure at 35 ft. depth.

Butch Betschart of Milton was on the lake last week with guide Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing and landed this huge 9 lb. 10 oz. Brown Trout rolling shad at 45 ft. on the main lake. The two anglers tried for 45 minutes to help revive the fish after releasing her, but the Brown succumbed to the battle. Butch opted to contact a taxidermist and have this beauty mounted.

KOKANEE

Kokanee are starting to show in small numbers with anglers bring in the landlocked salmon with hoochies trailing a dodger or flashers. Koks are averaging 12"-13". Most setups are including a Procure scent on the dodger/flasher, and tipping the hook with Kokanee corn, or night crawler. New product in Glory Hole Sports for the Kokanee angler that is very successful in the Sierra Foothill lakes is tackle from Paulina Peak. Some of their packaged gear comes with a hoochie, and a similar colored matching dodger, making a great color combo choice. Come check out the selection.

BASS

The bass on Melones are there but may be on the move with the fluctuating water levels which are unpredictable. Top water in River2Sea whopper ploppers are getting hammered early morning along with LuckyCraft Gunfish. Tube jigs for your finesse fishing, Reaction Innovation Sweet Beaver in an Oxblood.

CATFISH

More anglers are targeting the Catfish on the lake and are bring to the table some nice cats as David Rocha landed this lunker weighing in at 11 lbs.12 oz.

David reported catching 7 total this being the largest, with his dad, uncle, and brother on board using chicken livers.

CRAPPIE

It's Crappie frenzie time. The crappie bite has been very strong on Melones for the last month ago and still going strong. The best action has been close to the traveling shad bait in the lake, and by the marina also has been productive, but the fish are showing everywhere. 25-fish limits with crappie up to 12 inches. Crappie jigs tipped with Crappie Nibbles or with live minnows is the bait there looking for.

LOCAL GUIDE REPORT

Take it To The Limits Guide Service

Stan and Dan put the first two limits on the boat this year the biggest bow went 6.5 lbs.(we landed two more bows after this picture) total weight was 34 lbs.