Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,614,656 acre-feet of water. The lake level rose one foot this week, and is currently at 1015 ft. above sea level and 73 ft. from full. Water temperature has cooled and is 48-52 degrees. The lake is clear, to slightly stained. The lake has turned over.

Trout: Good. Department of Fish and Game is now planting rainbow trout weekly at New Melones. With the lake turned over, trout are schooled up in hunting "wolf-packs," chasing shad right up into the shallows, so that is where the action is. Bank anglers and those who cast lures or bait into the shore from their boat will have the best luck for rainbows. Trolling anglers should target major coves and creek arms, close to shore. Kelly and Paul Reed went out with Guide Gary Burns, and caught two limits to keep, and released 6 more, while trolling in Carson Cove with crawlers behind a Glitterbugs teardrop blade. With rainbows hanging out in very shallow water, now is the time to tie on a planer board to help get close to shore while trolling. Fish the top 10 feet of water with shad-patterned Rapalas, Speed Traps, or Rattle Traps, Needlefish (003 size), Excels, Kastmasters, or Speedy Shiners. In rainy or overcast weather, try a brighter pattern such as firetiger. Bank fishing and still-fishing from a boat has produced the most fish. There has been a lot of surface activity in the calm wind protected coves. Blue/silver Kastmasters have been the star lure of the week for trout, but Rattletraps are working well, too. Walking the bank as you cast will help you find the fish. For bait fishing, try using garlic scented Power Bait (rainbow or chartreuse), or put on a Gulp Egg or a marshmallow/nightcrawler.

Kokanee: Done for the season.

Bass: Fairly tough. Most anglers are having trouble locating quality fish. The water temperature drastically dropped over the last few weeks. The fish seemed to have moved into deep water for the winter. They are feeding on main lake points throughout the day. But, with such cold water they will feed a lot less than normal due to a slower metabolism. Now is a good time to fish finesse style presentations, such as a drop-shot rig. Small, slow moving baits will trigger more bites. Anglers should try using 3-4" hand poured worms in natural shad and crawfish hues. Also, bass will feed heavily on crawfish at this time of the year. Try using a heavy 1/2oz. or 3/4oz. football head jig with a trailer around wood and rock on main lake points and secondary points. California Reservoir Lures' jigs are designed for Mother Lode lakes. To cover more water use a heavy 1/2oz. or 3/4oz. football head jig. The heavier jig sinks faster and you can keep contact with the bottom while moving the bait fairly quickly.

The swim bait bite is getting better. Try using smaller swim baits to catch spots and nice largemouth. If you want to catch a huge fish throw an 8" rainbow trout swim bait. Remember to practice catch and release! If you do keep a bass, please keep the spotted bass and release the big female (largemouth) black bass. Glory Hole Sports can teach you the difference, so you can practice good conservation of the species.

Catfish: Haven't seen any this week, but they are out there. Melones catfish tend to be fish-eaters rather than bottom foragers, so use live minnows, frozen shad, mackerel, or anchovies for best success. Move/drag your bait slowly across the bottom to cover more water and target fish that are aggressively feeding. Generally cats will feed in shallow flats or areas with large chunk rock near deep water.

Crappie: Slow. There are fish in 15-40 foot of water, in the backs of creek channels near submerged timber. Live minnows or redworms fished under a slip-float, with a bobber stop is a good way to target these fish.

Photos:
Above Photo: Winner of the Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest goes to Pete Rudy of Twain Harte, who fished from the bank in Glory Hole Cove to catch a 2-pound, 11-ounce rainbow. He caught a limit, but only kept two, on an inflated nightcrawler.
Photo #1: 10-year-old Mathew Rodgers of Sutter Creek caught a limit of 'bows on gold Kastmasters while bank-fishing in Carson Cove.
Photo #2: Sonora Bass Anglers fished the lake on Saturday 5, 2013. First place went to Justin Rose and Josh Paris. They brought in a 5 fish limit that weighed 17.68 pounds. They also had big fish of the tournament, a 10.21 pound largemouth that Justin caught on a jig.


Guides' Reports
New Melones Lake
By Gary Burns

We took it to the limit on Friday, landing 16 'bows to 14". Carson Cove was the hot spot. The best set up was Glitter Bug Teardrop Chrome Blades, towing small nightcrawlers about 10" behind the blade. We also used a 1/4 oz weight with a 30" leader.

We had to look for the 'bows. so don't give up. Have a fun day on the water!

If you have been considering booking a trip with me, now is the time. Mention the discount coupon which you found out about on SportfishingReport for $25 off per person on a Melones trip during the months of January, February, and March.

Gary Burns
Take It To The Limit Guide Service
phone: 209-736-9557
cell: 209-559-3349

Guide Photo: Paul and Kelly Reed caught limits, and released 6 more.