New Melones Reservoir Fish Report

New Melones Reservoir - Angels Camp, CA


by Nor Cal Fish Reports
5-7-2014
Website

Trout: Slow.  The trout bite at the lake has been fairly tough.  The fish are at many different depths and scattered about, making them difficult to target.  In the next couple months they will definitely be favoring the cooler water near the river channel in the main lake. Trolling anglers try fishing various depths from 10-60'.  Excel, Needlefish, and Speedy Shiner spoons are all good choices for trolling.  The brown trout will often hang around schools of small kokanee.  It is a good idea to have one rod setup to catch the larger browns while trolling for rainbows and kokanee.  Try rolling shad or trolling large jointed plugs to coax them into biting.  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.  Night anglers have been having some success fishing under submersible lights.  The fish will be in deep water throughout the day and move into shallower water at night to feed. Kokanee: Good.  Many limits of kokanee were caught this last week.  The fish are starting to school up making them easier to find and catch.  Some of the kokanee seem to be a decent size for this time of the year, and they have months left to grow.  Glitter Bug and Rocky Mountain hoochies are working well.  Uncle Larry's UV Splatter Spinner is a great lure that has been responsible for many limits this season.  Also, small spoons have been working such as Simon Baby Wobblers, and Vance's Sockeye Slammers.  Pink is always a great color for baits, with orange and green producing fish as well.  Gold, copper, and watermelon blades are producing the majority of strikes.  It is a good idea to troll various sizes, colors, baits and blade combinations.  The fish will favor certain rigs, and it can be a process of elimination to find what appeals to them throughout the day.  Be sure to tip your baits with dyed and scented corn or Gulp Maggots.  

Bass:  Good.  The lake level continues to drop quite a bit each day.  The fish are still biting, and can be caught at many different depths.  Try fishing shallow in the mornings and evenings and moving out into deeper water throughout the day.  A variety of soft plastics are working well such as Senkos, Brush Hogs, and lizards.  Try fishing them on a Carolina Rig in deeper water.  There has also been a pretty decent reaction bite.  The fish are active and willing to chase crank baits and jerk baits.  Try using natural colored baits in clear water and bright colored baits in stained water. Also, there is always a handful of fish that are eager to bite a jig.  Try using colors that resemble crawdads, baby bass, and bluegill.  A ½ oz or ¾ oz football jig can be fished in shallow or deep water and used to locate fish.  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  (209) 736-4333





More Reports

NorCal Fishing News Reports
for Wednesday, May 7th, 2014

Clear Lake: Clear Lake Fish Report
Lake Berryessa: Lake Berryessa Fish Report
Lake Mendocino: Lake Mendocino Fish Report
Russian River: Russian River Fish Report
Lake Amador: Amador Lake Fish Report
Lake Camanche: Lake Camanche Fish Report
Collins Lake: Collins Lake Fish Report
Don Pedro Reservoir: Don Pedro Reservoir Fish Report
Lake McSwain: McSwain Reservoir Fish Report