Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 559,172 acre-feet of water. The lake level came up just a little this last week. It is currently at 870 ft. above sea level and 206 ft. from full. The water clarity is clear in most of the lake with a few areas being a little stained. The water temperature continues to cool with the average being 52-55 degrees. Tuttletown launch is closed. Glory Hole Point boat launch is open with a two lane concrete ramp and a dock. 4wd is no longer needed to launch.

Trout: Good. Most anglers are catching some pretty nice trout on each outing. The trout are in the upper portion of the water column which makes them easier to locate and catch. Bank anglers are catching fish in a few different areas of the lake. Glory Hole Point, the 49-bridge and Glory Hole Cove have been good areas to target trout that are roaming in shallow water. When fishing in heavily covered areas, use a presentation that will suspend above, free of snags. The best way to achieve this presentation is with a slip-float. With a bobber-stop you can adjust your leader to the water depth you are trying to fish. Nightcrawlers, live minnows, Power Bait and soft plastics are all good choice to use suspended below a slip-float. Another good way to catch them is by making multiple casts with a Kastmaster or a Tasmanian Devil and covering a lot of water.

Trolling anglers are doing well fishing near Coyote Creek and the main lake, near the 49-bridge. The fish have all been coming from the surface down to 20'. Some anglers are reporting that the better fish are down just a little deeper. A variety of baits have been catching limits of trout. Excel, Needlefish and Speedy Shiners are all good choices. Another very productive way to hook into some fish is by top-lining a Shad Rap or a Jointed Shad Rap Rapala. These baits have a larger bill that will get your bait down to the 10-20' range without having to add any weight. A crawler on a spinner or trailed behind a tear drop dodger always seems to get a few bites. Be sure to add scent to your bait to help the fish locate it and bite.

Kokanee: Done. Kokanee fishing generally is good from April to September.

Bass: Good. The fish seem to be moving from deep to shallow water and back throughout the day, depending on the weather. The weather has been extremely nice and the forecast is predicting more blue skies in the future. The lake has been beautiful and the conditions are very comfortable. We are hoping for rain, but as long as it's clear we might as well take advantage of it. Some fish seem to be keying on shad. To catch these shad eaters a drop-shot rig is a good choice. A small shad patterned worm or minnow type soft plastic has been working well. The water clarity is fairly clear so be sure to use light line. It may take a little time to get bit, but with a little patience and persistence you will get bites. There are always fish that will scour the bottom for crawdads. To catch these fish try using a crawdad colored worm or tube fished on a dart head or shakey head. To target fish in deeper water try using a heavy football head jig. Slowly drag the bottom to coax the fish into biting. In cold water scent seem to help get more bites. Apply scent to your baits and occasionally keep adding scent throughout the day.

Catfish: Slow. The catfish will be moving to deep water near rock piles and ledges. Most anglers don't target catfish at this time of the year. But, the ones that do will hook into some lunkers. Try fishing near large rocks and boulders. A large ball of crawlers is hard to beat. At this time of the year you will have to be very patient for the bites are few and far between. Be sure to use plenty of scent on you bait.