Water Conditions:
New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,947,440 acre-feet of water. The
lake level has dropped about two feet in the last few weeks, and is
currently at 1047 ft. above sea level and 41 ft. from full. Water
temperature is middle to high 50s, and exceeding 60 degrees on warm
days. The water temperature is really warming up, and will continue to
do so with the warm weather. Lake is slightly stained, with mud lines
forming around the shore on windy days.
Dave Allen caught a nice limit of trout while trolling a green micro hootchie near the 49 bridge.
Trout: The
bite is still good for both bank anglers and trolling anglers. The
water temperature in the shallows is warming up faster than the main
lake, pushing the trout out into deeper, cooler water. Bank anglers are
still catching 2-3 pound rainbows off of points, using Power Bait and
Gulp or Power Eggs. Multi-colored Power Bait with a small chunk of a
crawler is a great combo. Trolling anglers have been doing much better
since the trout have moved off of the bank.
Glory Hole
Sports Big Fish of the Week contest was won by Richard Kowski. He caught
a limit of nice rainbows with the biggest one weighing 3-pounds
8-ounces. All of his fish were caught trolling the main lake with a
crawler/spinner combo. Most trollers are using an assortment of
colors and lures. A few of the popular ones includes, Apex, Needlefish,
Wedding Rings, Rapalas, Hootchies, and Cripplures. Shad patterned baits
work well but bright colors such as chartreuse, pink, and orange seem
to be triggering more bites in the stained water. Troll 10-50 feet deep
in the main lake or upriver. Night Fishing has been picking up. Drop
Power Bait or minnows under a submersible light near the spillway/dam,
or under the Highway 49 Stevenot Bridge.
Dale, Dylan and Jeremia Nulph show off a limit of small but plentiful Melones early-season kokanee.
Kokanee:
They are starting to school up and become more aggressive, but are
still on the small side. Most anglers are picking up 11-14" kokanee
along with a couple of trout to fill out their limit. Kokanee that are
being caught are 10-40 feet deep in the main lake- the north side of the
lake has been very productive. Some schools of larger fish are showing
up from 40-60 feet, but don't seem to be biting yet. Try a small lure
such as a pink or orange Micro Hootchie or tube bug with a small
teardrop dodger or Slingblade. Also, with the trout bite being good, try
using spinners that will attract both trout and kokanee. Be sure to add
scent to your bait. Garlic, Kokanee Special, and anise have been good
choices. Don't forget your corn soaked in the same scents.
Bass: wide
open! Bass anglers are reporting catching a fish on every cast, and
plenty of nice 2 to 3-pound fish. Also, in the last month we have
tallied multiple double digit fish. The bass are definitely showing up
in shallow water. Bank anglers have been walking the shoreline catching
fish on a variety of soft plastics. It is time for fish to be spawning.
The spotted bass spawn in colder, deeper water- 15-30 feet deep, while
the black bass spawn in slightly warmer (63 degree) water and shallower-
5-15 feet. Try using a Senko fished weightless on a wacky rig or a good
old fashioned Texas rig. The jig bite has been wide open, too. Tie on
reaction-type baits such as jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits. Top
water season is right around the corner, some big fish are pulling down
plugs in the morning. 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 during this important time. Glory Hole
Sports can teach you the difference, so you can practice good
conservation of the species.
Catfish: Picking
up, and will only get better with the warm weather. There has been a
mud line that forms around the shore line of the lake. This water will
be warmer than clear water and is a good place to target catfish. There
is a large amount of shad in the lake this year for those large cats to
fatten up on. Try using frozen shad on a sliding sinker rig. No fish brought to the scale for the Glory Hole Sports Big Catfish of the Week Contest.
Crappie: Fishing
is good!There have been some nice 2-pounders caught.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. Fish a
slip float rig to adjust your depth. Target standing timber, willow
trees and water inlets.
J. Linker and Randall Miller went fishing midday and caught 22- chunky crappie on mini jigs.
