Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,967,207 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.
Gary Sisco and Mat Paredes caught 8 nice rainbows and a 6-pound catfish.
Trout: Very good! There were several fish over 3-pounds brought in this week, with most anglers catching their limits. The average size fish is about 2-pounds. Trout are right up in the shallows, spawning and chasing bait. Bank anglers have been using Power Bait (the garlic scent is working great), Gulp Eggs, marshmallows, and nightcrawlers to catch them. 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 catching some fish in the back of the major creek arms (Carson Creek, Coyote Creek, and Angels Creek.) Try fishing closer to shore and follow the contour of the bank. A lot of fish are up shallow. Side planning and long-lining a floating or jointed Rapala has been producing a lot of fish and some pretty nice ones too. When choosing baits try using one bright colored bait and one natural bait to see which color will trigger the fish into biting. Also, since the fish have been shallow, some anglers have been doing well casting lures at the bank or dropping an anchor and using bait.
Winner of the Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest goes to Glenn Woodbury. He caught a hefty 3-pound 11-ounce rainbow trout on Power Bait.
Kokanee: We have had a few reports of some fish being caught at 35-50 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.
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 and 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 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.
Bob James of Murphy's is the winner of the Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest. He caught a 12-pound catfish on garlic scented Power Bait.
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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