Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,966,549 acre-feet of water. The lake level has been steady for the last three months. It is currently at 1049 ft. above sea level and 39 ft. from full. The water temperature is quickly rising and is 52-55 degrees and crystal clear.
14 year old Tyler Firebaugh caught this beautiful rainbow on Berkley Power Eggs.
Trout: Fair! The trout fishing the last few months has been extremely good. This last week we saw some nice stringers being caught, but fewer than weeks prior. The full moon probably had a lot to do with the bite being slower. Most anglers that are catching fish have had their best luck using Power Bait. Rainbow Garlic Power Bait seems to be the most productive color and scent, with chartreuse being a close second. Also, it is good to use Power Eggs to improve buoyancy, and to give your presentation a contrast in color. Berkley Mice Tails are also great floating baits that catch fish. It is very important that your bait floats. Use small hooks, plenty of Power Bait, and a worm blower to float a crawler. The entire bait rig is very simple but effective. It consists of an egg sinker, barrel swivel, 12" to 48" leader, and a small hook. While you are waiting for the fish, it is a good idea to fan cast lures on the surface. Try using casting spoons such as Kastmasters, Krocodiles, and Thomas Bouyants. Don't forget to get a second rod stamp if you are going to fish more than one pole at a time. Trolling anglers have been doing well fishing upriver above Parrots Ferry Bridge. Try trolling a shad patterned lure 10-25 feet deep. Remember on clear days natural colors work best, and on cloudy overcast days bright colors will catch there attention better. Some fish have been caught shallow too, so side planers are still a good idea. Also, one of the keys to being a successful angler is being able to adjust while you are on the water. This means vary your presentation and approach throughout the day, until you find the fish, and what they are biting on.
Winner of the Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest goes to Mel Taguinod. He caught a hefty 3-pound 11-ounce rainbow trout on pink Berkley Gulp Bait.
Kokanee: We have had a few reports of some fish being caught at 30-50 feet deep. We might start seeing more in the next couple weeks. Generally the Kokanee fishing starts mid April and is really good May through July. This year's season might start sooner due to the weather.
Joe Hallett of Sonora caught a nice 14-inch fish this week. He was fishing a pink hootchie in 30-feet of water.
Bass: Pretty good. We have Alabama rigs! The fish are starting to move shallow. The spotted bass are in the pre-spawn stage and being caught at 10-25 feet deep. The fish are very fat this year and full of shad. The average size spotted bass is 2-pounds. Fish are being caught on soft plastics, fished on a Carolina or drop shot rig. There has been a pretty decent jig bite. California Reservoir Lures has a large selection of jigs tied specifically for our Motherlode lakes. Try using a brown or green pumpkin jig with a matching Yamamoto twin tail grub. If the wind picks up, try targeting the big fish with large swim baits, like a Spro BBZ or a Huddleston. Remember to practice catch and release, especially largemouth bass as we are seeing fewer each year.
Catfish: Fair. We have had a couple of anglers targeting trout catching some nice cats, on Power Bait. The fish are moving into shallow water with this warm weather. Try fishing 15-25 feet near main lake points. The catfish will feed at any time during the day- you just have to be patient. It is best to use two rods with two different baits. This way if the fish don't go for one offering they might go for the other. Using baits that are natural such as nightcrawlers or shad will often trick the bigger ones into biting. Soaking your bait in Pro Cure scent will make it even more appealing to those lunker cats. Leave your bail open so the cats can't feel the line if still-fishing. There weren't any fish brought in for the Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest.
Crappie: This is prime time to target the crappie. Use Beetle Spins, Mini Jigs, and minnows in 15-25 feet of water. The fish will be staging for the spring spawn. Target standing timber, willow tree's and water inlets. We have heard of a few nice one's being caught.
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