Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,978,950 acre-feet of water. The lake level dropped two feet again this week and is currently at 1050 ft. above sea level and 38 ft. from full. Levels will continue to drop, as room needs to be made to accommodate upcoming winter rains. Water temperature is rising and falling with the weather, and has been anywhere from about 80-72 degrees. Water is slightly stained, with mudlines forming in the afternoon. Watch for unmarked island tops.
Trout: Fair fishing. Not as many limits, but still plenty of fat fish being caught. Trollers have been doing well fishing over the main river channel, in the main lake and at the mouths of major creek arms. The trout are feeding heavily on shad that are staging on the outside of the creek channels. In the fall the shad will move to the backs of the coves, and the fish will follow. Try a variety of shad-patterned lures such as Excel, Apex, Needlefish, or Rapala Countdown. Use Bang or ProCure threadfin shad scent on your lures. To target rainbows and browns, troll 15-45 deep- try various depths, since fish are in transition. Also, vary your trolling speed. Sometimes the fish will hit as the lure sinks as you slow down, and sometimes a faster presentation will trigger a strike. Remember- now that the trout are moving shallower, it is important to leave plenty of line out behind your boat, so your lure is away from your boat chop. Guide Gary Burns has been consistently catching limits while trolling Shasta Tackle Humdingers near the dam.
Jim Dirikson of Angels Camp wins Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest with a 2-pound, 14-ounce rainbow- part of a limit that he caught while trolling a shad-pattern Rapala 50 feet deep near the marina.
