New Melones Reservoirs' current water level is 987.50 and down 100.5 ft. from full. With recent actions from state water board implementing water restrictions thru out California, we should see lake levels steady. New Melones fares better than most lakes and reservoirs, being the 4th largest lake in California, there is literally a 100 miles of shoreline to explore, fish, camp, hunt, and have a good time on. The water temperature is 71d., and warms up to 73d. or so mid day. Water visibility is anywhere from 4-6 feet and will have some mudlines on the weekends due to the high amount of boat traffic out on the lake. For the weekend warrior planning to camp out, Tuttletown has Acorn open and Glory Hole Point has Ironhorse and Big Oaks campgrounds open. Dump station @ Glory Hole is also open. However, Reservations are required for camping. Contact www.recreation.gov. New Melones Lake Marina is fully open. 

 

Highest ramp is in water from 1088.00 to 1025.00 (CLOSED)

Middle ramp is in water from 1028.00-to 940.00 (OPENED)

Highest ramp in water from 1088.00 to 1031.00 (CLOSED)

Middle ramp in water from 1036.00 to 942.00 (OPENED)

Only one ramp-We have been told this ramp will be opened on 4/1 as well as the fish cleaning station.

Trout along the shoreline is tough as they are mostly being found in the cooler, deeper 40-60 ft. water. Main river channel harbors most trout and outside the mouth of the dam is productive trolling Apex, Macks wiggle hoochie, or a hoochie/ dodger combo. No downriggers? Drop a line with crawlers down 50 ft. and see what comes up.

The kokanee bite has officially turned on with lots of limits being caught with some 18" in the mix. Most people have reported catching Kokanee from 40-60ft deep although this can change depending on the water temperature that day. Out in front of the mouth of the dam and slightly out from the spillway have produced the most fish recently although there has been some reports of kokanee being caught up around the Angels Creek area as well. As always apex's and hoochies in wonderbread, chartreuse, pink & orange or watermelon have been the hot lure behind a matching dodger.

With the large amount of baitfish on the water, you will get some good action using plugs and Whopper Ploppers from River2Sea. Morning may be the best time for your topwater presentation switching over to plastic baits later in the day using shakey heads, and ned rigs. Up river has been producing a good bite along the vertical wall, and on points and near hill tops. 

 

Catfishing is starting to heat up with the warmer weather upon us. Cut baits, chicken livers and night crawlers are choices for baits. Jerry Valentine of Mountain Ranch has been doing well using night crawlers bank fishing during daylight hrs. 

 

Chris of San Andreas had a day landing a limit of Crappie using minnows. He was fishing off his pontoon boat at night, and dropping a light. Largest Crappie came in at 2.10 lbs.