8/21/2019

by Gene Hildebrand, Glory Hole Sports

New Melones Reservoir's current lake level is 1058.00 and 30 ft. from full. Water Temperature is 76d. The fish cleaning station is closed at Angels Cove with water line breaks interfering with operations.

Anglers FYI: For anyone with a potential lake record please call us at the store and hopefully we can send someone to weigh, photograph and measure the catch at the lake. GHS is the unofficial recorder of lake records for New Melones, and we understand there is sometimes conflicting interest in the welfare of the catch, whether or not to release the potential record, sacrificing your place as a record holder for the lake.

We do promote catch and release. For potential lake records, record the statistics of the fish... length, girth, weight and photographed at the lake before releasing her. If indeed we can verify the information that is provided, such as a witness, comparing the scale used with ours, a photograph with the fish hanging from the scale and can see the scale weight, etc...then we can accept this as proof. If your catch has expired than indeed bring it in to GHS so we can record it here, and you can have it mounted!

Trout bite is slow this time of year, but we are looking forward to the fall bite to pick up late next month as it has in past years on New Melones.

Kokanee has been a bit slow but stable, anglers may have to work it more than a couple hrs to limit out on them. Were getting into late season for koks, and they are just developing the hook jaw prior to spawning season. Scott from Oakley (below) landed a limit trolling north of Bear Creek at 75-85 ft. using dodgers and hoochies in pink, tipped with scented corn.

When your fishing New Melones, you can expect the unexpected to happen to you while out searching for bass. Using the right bait for where your at on the lake weather fishing an island top, shoreline or following a point down, cannot be narrowed down to just a topwater, finesse, or swimbait presentation. Spend some time with your shakey head or drop shot where you can land those 2-3 pounders and larger. If you see shad blowing up on the surface, get out your topwater gear and see if you can get the crushing topwater blowup bite. Fishing the evening bite on the shoreline is exciting when you cast topwater bait and get that instant bite as it hits the water. You can cover alot of water using jigs and see if you get any lunkers following. Fishing Melones is usually always productive if you remain patient and persistant....change it up and keep fishing.