Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding1,047,499 acre-feet of water. The lake level dropped one foot this week, and is currently at 949 ft. above sea level and 137 ft. from full. The water temperature will be cooling a bit but each week until the lake turns over. The lake is still a fairly warm 70-74 degrees.

Trout: Fair. The trout fishing has been pretty good with most anglers catching fish and a few limits showing up. The fish are starting to get a little more active due to the cooler night and shorter days. The trout are schooling in the main lake over deep/cooler water. They will be feeding primarily on schooling shad. The shad will migrate to the mouths of major creek channels and to the back each fall. Find the shad and the trout will be nearby. Trolling anglers try fishing in 45-65' of water over 150-200' of water. The main lake near Carson Creek, Coyote Creek, and Mormon Creek are all good places to find trout. Try using shad patterned trolling spoons such as Speedy Shiners, Needlefish, and Excels. Try trolling a little faster 2.5-3.0 mph. Bank fishing has been very slow but should be getting good soon. Once the water turns over the trout will move to the surface and to the shoreline. Watch the weather, if it rains the fish could move to shallow feeder creeks to feed. Also, they continue are still planting fish on the highway 4 corridor. Try your luck at Lake Alpine, or Spicer Reservoir. Fly fishing has been good the aquatic life is plentiful in the fall. Try using bead headed nymphs during the day and switching to dry flies in the evenings.

Kokanee: Slow. The kokanee are working their way upriver for their annual spawn and die. We have had reports of very few fish being caught. The fish are turning. They are getting some color and a hooked mouth. The kokanee have been schooling in deep water for the last few months. Try targeting fish from 70-100' of water. Try using an Apex fished behind a large dodger. Pink, green, and orange are good color choice 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 scent shoe peg corn.

Bass: Fair. The bass fishing has been tough for most anglers. Some fish are moving shallow to feed early mornings and in the evenings. Try using crawdad colored jigs and soft plastics to target these fish. There is a large population of fish that are suspended and holding on off shore structure which makes them very difficult to find and catch. The key to finding these fish is to find where the bait is. Use your electronics to find bait and the bass will be near. To catch them try using baits that resemble the bait fish they are feeding on. Small shad patterned soft plastics fished on a drop shot rig should do the trick. Another way to catch these fish, is with a suspending rip bait such as a Lucky Craft Staycee or a Pointer Minnow. If the fish targeting balls of shad in deeper water try fishing a vertical jigging spoon to catch them. The most popular spoon sizes are ?? oz. and ?? oz. P-line Laser Minnows, Macks Sonic Baitfish and Hopkins spoon all are proven fish catchers.

Pictured Above: Glory Hole Sports employee and Xperience Fishing Guide Service guide John Liechty caught and released a chunky 9-pound, 6-ounce largemouth. He reported catching this lunker on a swimbait off of a main lake point.

If you do keep a bass, please keep the small 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: Very good. Most anglers are catching multiple catfish on each outing. The average size catfish is 4-8 pounds, with fish over 10-pounds considered to be better than average. We have had many reports of different baits that are working. Night crawlers, liver, shad, and anchovies seem to be producing the majority of fish. It is very important to use a sliding sinker or no weight at all. The fish will drop the bait if they feel any weight. It is a good idea to leave your bail open while waiting for them to bite. Let the fish run with the bait for a few seconds then set the hook. For bigger cats try using a whole mackerel or sardine fished on a double hook rig. Many catfish will roam flats, points, and humps to feed. When choosing a location to fish focus on flat dirt/rock areas near deep water.

Photo #1: The Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest goes to John Rottmar of Montana. He caught a hefty 9-pound, 6-ounce catfish. He reported catching this using a ball of crawlers for bait.

Crappie/Bluegill: Slow. There are a few fish up shallow feeding in the backs of coves near brush and timber. Try using mini jigs, live minnows and red worms fished under a slip float to target these fish.