Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,573,753 acre-feet
of water. The lake level dropped close to one foot this week, and is
currently at 1011 ft. above sea level and 76 ft. from full. Water
temperature warmed a little, average is 52-54 degrees with some parts of
the lake warming to 58-60 degrees in the afternoon. The lake is clear,
to slightly stained with some debris floating on the surface. The lake
has turned over.
Trout: Fair.The bite seems to be getting better. Most anglers are catching a few fish with the occasional limit coming in. Trolling anglers
are catching fish at various depths, from the surface to 25 feet. To
locate the fish try running a dodger/crawler combo from 15-25 deep on
one rod, and large floating Rapala on the other. Also, a number of
brown trout are being caught. This is a great time to troll for trophy
size browns. Try using large plugs such as a J11 Rapala in firetiger or
shad pattern. Another good way to catch the big ones is by rolling
shad. Reminder: The Department of Fish and Game will no longer be
planting brown trout. So, we do encourage catch and release a will not
recognize them for our weekly big fish contest. Bank fishing
has picked up a little due to the small amount of rainfall. There are
trout cruising the shoreline and the surface early morning and late
afternoon. Try using Berkley Mice Tails, or a Pinched Crawler/egg
combo. The water and air temperature has warmed and will continue to
warm this week. Toward the afternoon look for insects hatching. To
catch the trout that will be feeding on them. Try using the bubble and a
fly technique. Wooly buggers, pheasant tail, and bead headed prince
nymphs will catch them.
Kokanee:
Good. The fish are scattered throughout the water from 15-50 feet. The
fish are a good size for this time of the year 13-14" and very chunky.
Try fishing the main lake with a finesse trolling setup. A Pink Micro
Hoochie or an Anglers Market Kokanee Bites trolled behind a small tear
drop dodger is great way to get a limit. Don't forget to tip your lure
with shoe peg corn that has been soaked in garlic, anise, carp spit, or
kokanee special Pro Cure scent.
Bass:
Good. Not a lot of fish being caught but some giants are showing up.
These giant fish are being caught on mainly jigs, worms, and swim
baits. Try fishing main lake points leading into spawning areas. These
are staging areas where the fish will stacked up before they spawn. Also
it is a good time to use soft plastics such as Senkos, Brush Hogs, and
lizards.
This
week local angler John Martin caught a double digit fish, a 10.07 pound
largemouth. He was fishing upriver when this fish crushed a swim bait.
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:
Melones catfish tend to be fish-eaters rather than bottom foragers, so
use live minnows, frozen shad, mackerel, or anchovies for best
success. The water is warming and the bite will pick up.
Crappie:
Good. Spring is here and the crappie bite is starting. There are fish
in 15-40 foot of water, in the backs of creek channels near submerged
timber. Live minnows or red worms fished under a slip-float, with a
bobber stop is a good way to target these fish. Also, try using Beetle
Spins and mini jigs on light spinning tackle.
Sacramento Pike Minnow: Good. These fish are generally caught in creek channels. They feed on shad, trout, and kokanee.
This
week Greg Elam of Twain Harte caught what possibly might be the
IGFA-recognized New World Record. He caught this massive 13.06 pound
fish trolling a Rapala for trout in the Angels Creek arm of the lake. There have been bigger ones caught, but not registered with IGFA.
The current IGFA (International Game Fish Association) record is 6-pounds, 15-ounces.