Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,385,612 acre-feet of water. The lake level dropped five feet this week, and is currently at 990 ft. above sea level and 97 ft. from full. Water temperature is warming daily with the average being 68-72 degrees. The lake is slightly stained with mud lines forming near the shore in the afternoon.

Trout: Fair. The trout are feeding in the main lake and near the mouths of major creek arms. There is a large population of shad in the lake, and the trout are targeting them as their primary forage. The shad vary in size from 2-5". Also, there is a short period of time in the mornings and evenings where the trout will be feeding on the surface. Trolling anglers try using your electronics to find large balls of shad. The trout will be near them waiting for a few to stray away from the school. Use shad patterned Needlefish, Excel spoons, and Rapalas, to target these fish. The brown trout bite has been good for a few weeks now. The browns are feeding on large shad and small kokanee. To target these fish try trolling in 30-50' of water with a J11 Rapala or a small boot tail swim bait. We do encourage catch and release of brown trout, as the Department of Fish and Game is no longer going to plant them in the lake. Bank anglers have been catching a few trout using a Power Egg/crawler combo or fan casting a Kastmaster.

Kokanee: Good. Most anglers are finding their limits in a few hours of fishing. Main lake near the spillway, and the dam have been the most productive areas to locate schools. The fish will be closer to the surface in the morning. Try trolling 20-30' until the sun comes up, then drop down to 40-50' throughout the afternoon. Pink has been the hot color with orange coming in a close second. Uncle Larry's spinners have been working well, and come in many different fish catching colors. Also, small micro hoochies, and bugs have been getting bites. Often times when the fish aren't biting it is a good idea to put on a large sling blade. The larger blade swinging violently through the school will aggravate the fish into biting. Be sure to tip your baits with dyed and scented shoe peg corn. Pro Cure scents that work are garlic, anise, carp spit, and kokanee special.

Bass: Fair. The fish are finishing up with the spawn and are in a post spawn mode. The majority of fish have pulled off the bank due to dropping water levels. They will move up in the morning and evenings to feed and then head out to deeper water midday. Early morning top water bite has been good. Try using a walk the dog type bait such as a Spook, Rover, or Sammy. Or, twitch a popper near the shoreline. Add a feather tail to your bait to improve the action and get a few more blow-ups. Once the top water bite dies, switch to a soft plastic presentation. A Carolina rig with a brush hog is a great way to cover water and fish at various depths. Also, try fishing a wacky rig Senko on main lake structure. Natural crawdad colors are working well and brighter colors will stand out better in stained water. We have been seeing a lot of big spotted bass being caught and we possibly have a world record swimming around out there. The current state record and world record was caught May 3, 2001 out of Pine Flat Lake. It weighed 10-pounds, 4-ounces. If you catch a fish that is larger, and want it to be recognized as a state record, it must be weighed on a certified scale. The post office or the grocery store meat department has a certified scale. It is very important to practice catch and release during the spring months! 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: Good. The larger catfish are moving to shallow water to spawn a feed. Melones catfish tend to be fish-eaters rather than bottom foragers, so use live minnows, frozen shad, mackerel, or anchovies for best success. Also while bait fishing, it is a good idea to drag your bait across the bottom every few minutes to attract nearby fish. Use a sliding sinker with a bead to create a ticking noise as your bait is moving.

Crappie: Good. Try using a crappie jig with live minnow, fished under a slip-float. The crappie will suspend in standing timber and brush. Try casting past the cover and fishing your presentation into it. The night fishing bite has started to pick up. Anglers using a drop light in the backs of coves have been catching some nice crappie, bass, and trout. Carson Wiebe caught some nice crappie at the south end of the lake on red and white mini jigs.

Photos:
Pictured Above: Steve Anderson of Sonora caught and released this beauty on Friday at camp nine.
Photo #1: The Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest goes to Michi Watanabe of Jackson. She caught a nice 10-pound, 8-ounce catfish trolling a wedding ring in 50' of water.
Photo #2: Carson Wiebe caught some nice crappie at the south end of the lake on red and white mini jigs.