Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 06/14/2008 02:31 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 06/14/2008 02:31 PM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
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New Melones Lake Fishing Report~From Glory Hole Sports
Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,362,283 acre-feet of water. The lake water level dropped almost two feet last week and is at 984 ft. above sea level and 104 ft. from full capacity. Water in the main lake is approximately 73-75 degrees. All ramps are in the water. Angels Boat Ramp is the shallowest ramp. It will come out of the water and be unusable (which often happens in the summer) when the water level drops below 975 ft. above sea level....
CAUTION: Quickly dropping water levels are exposing many islands that are not marked! Sometimes there will be a tree and rock-covered hump just under the surface, even in the middle of the lake. Keep an eye out for changes in water color or pattern of waves- there may be a jagged rock lurking just under the water surface! Now is not the time to buzz across the lake- please slow down and be careful!
Trout: While for the most part, Bank fishing is over at the lake, we did have some nice rainbows caught from shore on Melones last week. Your best bet for bank-caught trout would be the local rivers and creeks such as Angels Creek which have been receiving regular plantings of catchable rainbows . Power Bait, Pautzke’s Eggs, or small spinners such as Rooster Tails or Mepp’s are all good choices for local stream fishing. Trollers are catching mostly kokanee instead, although we are seeing the occasional rainbow or big brown trout, usually caught by lucky anglers dragging kokanee lures. Trollers should head to the main lake near Glory Hole Point or near the spillway and Rose Island. Fish have moved into deeper water- troll at least 40-60 feet deep. Tie on a pink Hootchie, a firetiger or shad-patterned Apex lure, or a firetiger or copper pop Uncle Larry’s Spinner tipped with a piece of nightcrawler. Use ball-troll flashers on your downrigger ball when fishing for rainbows in deeper water in warm weather. Night fishing under a submersible light is legal on New Melones Lake, and is a great way to target bigger rainbows in the summer. Glory Hole Sports has a good selection of fishing lights.
Kokanee: We have seen some big beautiful kokanee, but limits are still hard to come by- kokanee are not fully schooled up yet. One to one-and-a-half pound fish are average, but fish up to two-and-a-half pounds, and measuring up to 18 1/2 “ are not uncommon. There are also big schools of immature kokanee- most are only 8-10 inches in length. If you get into a school of these smaller fish, please try to gently shake them off whenever possible, so they can get bigger. Trollers should try their luck 55-70 feet deep in areas with 90-120 ft. depths, in the main lake near the spillway, dam or Rose Island. According to guide Bruce Hamby, kokanee are hugging rocky shorelines. Pink Hootchies by R & K Spinners, Glitterbugs, or Rocky Mountain Tackle are all hot right now. Other lures to try include Radical Glow Spinners and Uncle Larry’s Spinners. Choose pink, green, or firetiger colors. Use a dodger, Wild Thing, or a Sling Blade in watermelon, nickel/chartreuse, nickel/pink, or nickel/silver prism. Always use shoepeg corn to tip your lures. We have some pre-scented and dyed, although using plain corn with no scent is working well for some anglers right now. Use ProCure UV garlic, herring, Anise Plus, or freshwater shrimp. Remember- scent is very important when fishing for kokanee. Be sure to wash your hands before handling lures, dodgers or line. The smell of cigarettes, sunscreen, or human-scent from your hands will slow your chances of catching the kokes. Most successful anglers rub a little scent on their hands before tying on tackle. Richard Kowski found a big limit (10-pounds for five kokanee) this week. He trolled a pink hootchie 55 feet deep in the main lake to land is limit. Joe Hallett trolled green spinners 50-55 feet deep in the main lake and found a nice limit. Dale Hughes had a smorgasbord limit that included 2 kokanee, 2 rainbows, and a bass, all caught on a pink hootchie trolled 60 feet deep near the dam.
Bass: good, despite falling water levels. Fish main lake points. There is a hot topwater bite happening right now. Zara Spooks are working great, especially at dawn and dusk. Spinnerbaits are another good choice. Green pumpkin or watermelon Zoom Baby Brush Hogs, or weightless Senkos are also good choices. Try deep-diving crankbaits retrieved from longs casts over main lake points in the heat of the day. Shaded areas and mud lines are also good sports to target when the sun is high in the sky. Please remember to gently release any bass that you catch. Remember- the Department of Fish and Game does not plant bass, so it is up to us to maintain our bass fishery.
Catfish: picking up with the heat. Use anchovies, mackerel, sardines, or a ball of nightcrawlers. Leave your bail open so the cats can pick the bait up and swim with it- you will be more likely to hook them that way. Also, be sure to use a sliding sinker weight
Crappie and bluegill: Fair. Night fishing under a light is best, although anglers are catching crappie during the day, too. Crappie can be found hanging out in submerged trees, about 10’-20’ feet deep. Bear Creek, Mormon Creek and Carson Creek are all good bets. For crappie, try fishing live small or medium minnows, or crappie jigs with jigs in red/white, black/chartreuse or purple/white. Remember- 25 is the limit for crappie. Bluegill are starting to become more active, and they are great fun for the kids to catch. A small piece of crawler or a cricket under a large bobber fished tight to structure in the backs of coves will provide lots of fun and entertainment for children.
Melanie
Glory Hole Sports
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