New Melones Anglers Report

NEW HOURS IN PLACE TILL FURTHER NOTICE MON-SATURDAY: 6:00-5:30 PM  SUNDAY: 7:00-4:30 PM DELI HOURS: MON-SATURDAY: 6:00-2:00 PM  SUNDAY and MONDAY: CLOSED TO GO ORDERS ONLY, NO DINE IN SEATING PLEASE CALL IN DELI ORDERS @ 209-736-4339

Fish Report July 19, 2021 New Melones Reservoir Fish Report July 19, 2021 New Melones Reservoir BY : Gene Hildebrand New Melones Reservoirs' current water level is 957.00and down 131 ft. from full, leaving the lake sitting about 46 % of capacity. Bureau of Reclamation implemented flows from New Melones to combat the Delta salinity level that naturally flows up into delta arms. New Melones water levels fare better than most lakes and reservoirs, being the 4th largest lake in California, there is literally a 100 miles of shoreline to explore, fish, camp, hunt, and have a good time on. Please keep your family, dogs, and crew safe with safe boating practice. ANYONE 40 or younger is required to have a California Boating Card on board any vessel they are navigating. Water temperature is in the 80's. Water visibility is anywhere from 4-6 feet and will have some mudlines on the weekends due to the high amount of boat traffic out on the lake. For the weekend warrior planning to camp out, Tuttletown has Acorn open and Glory Hole Point has Ironhorse and Big Oaks campgrounds open. Dump stations @ Glory Hole and Tuttletown are also open. Reservations are required for camping. Contact www.recreation.gov. New Melones Lake Marina is open. Glory Hole Point Boat Ramps: Highest ramp is in water from 1088.00 to 1025.00 (CLOSED) Middle ramp is in water from 1028.00-to 940.00 (OPEN, IMPENDING CLOSURE SOON) Lower DIRT ramp is now OPEN and OPERATIONAL, 947-899.00 (No courtesy docks in place yet) Tuttletown Boat Ramps:  Highest ramp in water from 1088.00 to 1031.00 (CLOSED) Middle ramp in water from 1036.00 to 942.00 (CLOSED) Lower concrete ramp is NOW OPEN 945.00 to 900.00 (Courtesy docks in place) Angels Cove Boat Ramp and parking lot: (CLOSED)

 

Trout are being targeted up river between the two bridges and going deep, the bite has been good trolling shiners, needlefish, Apex Lures. Several quality 4-7 lb. trout have been reported. Anglers wanting to soak some bait, local anglers Brian, Dave, and Phil (below)were on an over nite angling adventure near the spillway bringing in a total of nine trout using worms and Power bait.

BASS   Bass action has been off but still a decent bite despite how quickly water levels are dropping on Melones and with the extreme heatwave, angler count was a bit lower than usual. Anglers have been targeting bass with dropshot, dartheads and jigs. Dave Wilson of Lakewood landed this largemouth using crawlers. They estimated the bass at or near 15 lbs. HOWEVER they admitted not having a scale on the boat, beauty never the less.   Kokanee   Kokanee Power had the privilege of receiving one of the first permits to fish a tournament on New Melones since the beginning of the pandemic. With a reported 66 teams and 147 anglers signed up for the derby. Coming out on top of the field was the team of Jim Brittain with a three fish weight of 4.92 lbs. Second and third places went to Jerry Novero team and Rene Villanueva team. The team of Jason and Josh teamed up to bring in 9 kokanee. Best bite time for them was early morning at 40 to 60 ft. deep. Purple and green dodgers, wiggle hoochies in pink & chartreus and Glory Hole Sports kokanee special corn. They were fishing straight out from Glory Hole Point towards Rose Island. Jim Dirickson of Angels Camp had a bite going on in Carson Creek using Apex lures with a Crystal Basin dodger in watermelon and Kokanee special scent. CATFISH   Catfishing is starting to heat up with the warmer weather upon us. Cut baits, chicken livers and night crawlers are choices for baits. Kohout of Angels Camp did a late night fishing adventure on Glory Hole Point and landed this 10.03 cat using liver in 20 ft. of water.   CRAPPIE   Best shot at Crappie is getting into a cove, dropping a light and using crappie jigs or live minnows.   Other News NEW MELONES LAKE MARINA: The latest on the marina is the official opening will be May 15th.   The Bureau of Reclamation administration office and visitors center is now opened and selling annual passes for the lake. Opened from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the weekends only.