Fish Report May 4, 2022 New Melones Reservoir BY : Gene Hildebrand New Melones Reservoirs' current water level is 931.50 and is 156.50 ft. from full. Water temperature is 64 d. +- depending on your location on the lake. Please keep your family, dogs, and crew safe with safe boating practice. ANYONE 35 years old or younger is required to have a California Boating Card on board any vessel they are navigating. Tentative date for New Melones Lake Marina to open up for the season will be May 11. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON CAMPING, DAY USE, BOAT LAUNCHING on NEW MELONES Per the Bureau of Reclamation... "The Bureau of Reclamation is finalizing contingency plans that will impact recreation services at the start of recreation season (April 1st). For Glory Hole, the boat launching will continue at GH Point (Angels Cove will remain closed unless we have a biblical proportion of precipitation that brings up the reservoir).  Day use areas will remain open, except for Osprey Pt. (which is currently closed). Ironhorse campground will remain open with a high probability that Big Oak will open at some point in April/early May – an electrical issue has been resolved. We’ve had many challenges and like the private sector it has been difficult to pick up employees over the last year and a half. Tuttletown will feel the impacts of low staffing more acutely come April. Please standby while we work through our present plans."   If your planning to visit this summer, get your reservations in early... Reservations are required for camping. Contact www.recreation.gov. New Melones Lake Marina is currently closed for the season 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 (CLOSED) The concrete lower ramp at the end of Glory Hole Point remains launchable with two courtesy docks. Driving down to the ramp, the road is slightly bumpy, but manageable. This ramp is in the water from 940.00 to 900.00 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/KOKANEE   Trout bite is going strong heading into May with trout being landed along with Kokanee. They're are being targeted main lake near the island across from the spillway, Rose Island and between the dam and spillway. For the most part, the fish are not in large schools and are traveling around. Tyrone Beard of Galt brought in a limit. Tyrone was using a lure he personally makes and sells here at Glory Hole Sports, the Pickle Lure and Turtle Lure in a pink and orange.   We would like to welcome aboard our new employee Anna Fiscus who got in on a photo shoot with a limit of Kokanee the Headhunter boat brought in. Your going to find Anna working the deli, running the registers and stocking the shelves. ‌   ‌   ‌   ‌   BASS Bass bite has been hot on New Melones with anglers reporting 30-50 fish days, mostly under 4 lbs. Plastics in a green pumpkin purple copper have been getting good results. (Please remember we promote catch and release of the bass, especially the larger ones, please keep them in our lake for the next lucky angler!)   CATFISH Catfish are starting to get active using cut baits, night crawlers, and minnows. One 9.5 lb cat was landed by a guy fishing crappie with live minnows.   CRAPPIE Anglers searching for crappie are finding them near structure. Look for submerged trees and ones coming out of the water. Best bait for crappie will be live minnows, but you may be sharing that minnow with hungry bass.