Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding
780,151 acre-feet of water. The lake level dropped a little over two feet this week and is currently at 910 ft. above sea level and 175 ft. from full. The water is stained in most areas of the lake, and fairly clear in others. There are mud lines forming near the shore throughout the day, especially on windy days. The average water temperature is 72-78 degrees and rising daily.
Glory Hole Sports employee Sherryl Van Sanden caught and released a gorgoues brown trout on a spinner out of the Mokelumne River.
Trout: Fair. Night fishing for trout has been good. Most anglers fishing under submersible lights are catching limits of chunky 2-pound rainbows. Nightcrawlers and Power Bait are working well. The trout will school in deeper/cooler water during the hot summer heat and move into shallow water at night to feed. It is a good idea to anchor in 40-60' of water that is near 100-200' areas. Drop your light 10-20' down and fish your presentations below that. Trolling anglers have been doing better each week and bringing in a handful of nice trout along with their kokanee. The trout are drawn to deeper/cooler water. The main river channel will have the coolest water throughout the summer. Try trolling in 30-50' of water at 2.5-3.0 mph. The shad are schooled up and are a primary food source for trout. Try using baits that best resemble the natural forage. The water is a bit stained so in would be a good idea to include some bright colors in your presentation. Try using bright blades along with natural patterned baits, or natural blades along with brighter baits.
Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week goes to Don Myshrall of Mokelumne Hill. He caught a 1-pound, 6-ounce rainbow while trolling for kokanee. Don and his friend Jeff Kelley caught two limits with an orange hoochie in 45' of water.
Bank fishing for trout has been very slow. Trout season is open for rivers, and streams, it might be best to try your luck in these areas. If you do choose to target trout from the bank try using chartreuse or rainbow garlic Power Bait. Fly fishing anglers try fishing nymphs under an indicator during the day and switching to mayfly patterns during the evening. Also, try using buggers and streamers in the high country lakes.
Larry Daniels caught and released a couple nice trout. A beautiful rainbow (top) and this nice brown (bottom).
We do encourage catch and release for the brown trout as The Department of Fish and Game will no longer be planting them. Carefully measure, weigh and photograph trophy fish and send us pictures and information.
Jim and Jim Hann caught two mixed limits of kokanee and rainbows.
Kokanee: Good. Each week we are seeing and hearing of some nice kokanee being caught. The average size is 11-13" with a few fish measuring 14-16". The fish are schooling in deep water off of Glory Hole Point and near the dam, spillway and Rose Island. A variety of colors are producing limits. Pink is always a good choice with orange and chartreuse bringing in limits as well. The water has a green tint so it is best to use dodgers that have a high reflective quality. Gold and copper are good choice when trolling in stained water. Fish will be keying on baits that disperse water and create vibration. Try using spinners, Apex and bladed hoochies. It is also a good idea to modify your dodgers by adding a little bend to them. This modification will give the blade and bait more side-to side swing. Scent is very important when fishing in water with less visibility. Garlic, bloody tuna, anise, and kokanee special will work. Don't forget to tip your presentations with dyed and scent shoepeg corn.
Bass: Fair. The bass are done spawning and moving out into deeper water where they will spend the summer. They will move shallow at night and in the morning for a short period of time to feed. Then they will head back to cool water for the hot hours of the day. Try using reaction baits in the cooler hours of the day and switching slower moving baits during the heat. A great presentation that works at all depths is a Carolina Rig. Try using a soft plastic lizard or brush hog and keep contact with the bottom. Another rig that catches fish especially in stained water is a Texas Rig worm with a "brass and glass" weight and bead. With this presentation your can create a Ticking noise by shaking the tip of the rod. This will attract fish from a distance. If you can find balls of shad try dropping a shad patterned worm or a small swim bait down to them.
Casey Strom of Pleasanton caught and released a nice spotted bass. This fish took a Zara Spook in the morning hours.
Please practice catch and release. Take photos and carefully release the fish back into to the lake to maintain a healthy fish population for generations to come.
Catfish: Very Good. The big cats are up in shallow water and feeding heavily. The water temperature is getting warmer each day which has encouraged the cats to move shallow. Try using frozen shad or a ball of crawlers to target these fish. Catfish are drawn to bait by scent so it is a good idea to add additional scent to your bait.
Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week goes to Chris Limas and his two daughters Brooke and Christy. They caught two chunky cats, the biggest one weighed 12-pounds, 5-ounces. They caught these fish midday using shad and crawlers for bait.
Crappie: Slow. The crappie have been hard to find, try your luck at night fishing under a submersible light.
