9-30-13 New Melones Fishing Report
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 ½ oz. and ¾ oz. P-line Laser Minnows,
Macks Sonic Baitfish and Hopkins spoon all are proven fish catchers.
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.
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.