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FISHINLINES
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New Melones Reservoir - New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,465,000 acre-feet of water. This is up compared to the 1,462,000 acre-feet that it held at this time last year. Lake is at 61 percent capacity. Lake elevation dropped two feet again this week, and is currently at 999 feet above sea level, and 89 feet from full capacity. Water temperature has really warmed up, and is approximately 69-75 degrees, and very slightly stained. Glory Hole Sports' gas pumps are now open for business!

Trout fishing was somewhat slow, probably because you can't keep from catching a kokanee long enough to catch a rainbow! Bank anglers should target the creeks such as Angels Creek - the trout in the lake have moved into deeper, cooler water and aren't accessible from shore. Trollers should target the main lake near the spillway/dam and Rose Island. Fish are gradually moving deeper, and are about 35-45 feet deep. Natural baits such as nightcrawlers and live minnows are producing the most fish. Troll them alone, or behind a Wedding Ring or Needlefish. Apex, Father Murphys Spinners, and Sockeye Slammers trolled behind flashers or dodgers are also working. Try a pearl white, Cop Car, or a Firetiger lure. Bite has been best in the early morning, so plan to hit the lake early. We have seen a few brown trout come from the main lake. Scott Heliotes trolled a white Needlefish behind a nickel/green dodger near the spillway 35 feet deep and caught a 2.5-pound rainbow. Joe Hallett has picked up a trout 35-40 feet deep in the main lake.

What a difference a week makes - Kokanee are red-hot! Anglers report catching limits in one hour. Most kokanee are running 13-15" at the tail fork, and weighing 1 to 1 1/2 pounds. Troll 40-55 feet deep with a small lure or spinner such as a Father Murphy's Kokanee Bug, Sockeye Slammer, Uncle Larry's spinner or #1 Apex. Firetiger, fluorescent red and hot pink are the most productive colors. Be sure you tip your lure with shoepeg corn soaked in ProCure oil - Kokanee Special or anise scents are good choices right now. Use a nickel/chartreuse or pink dodger. Best kokanee action has been in the early morning in the main lake near the dam/Rose Island. Some anglers who brought in limits of kokanee this week include John Darroch, Joe Hallett, Sam Vassey, Frank Ambrosoli, and Richard Kowski.

Bass fishing has been good, with plenty of smaller fish providing action - 30-fish days are not uncommon. Bigger fish are hard to come by. Big fish seem suspended, and not interested in anything you throw at them. Most bass are in 5-25 feet of water, near structure, such as trees. Look for flats near cuts and creek arms that have structure at different depths. Coves in the south side of the lake have been good, as well as cuts and coves upriver. Rig a 5" green pumpkin, watermelon or smoke Yamamoto Senko with a 3/0 or 4/0 wide-gap hook, and no weight. Zoom Baby Brush Hogs and 6" worms are also working well, in crawdad colors. Throw a top-water bait such as a spook in the early morning. Jigs are getting some play, too. Anglers Choice held a tournament this weekend. Local anglers Kyle Rasmussen and Jody Menzes too home first place again, by throwing green weenie worms. David Permenter caught the big fish of the tournament, weighing in at over 8 pounds. Ryan Wnorowski caught a 10.7-pound largemouth on nightcrawlers in Angels Cove. We want to remind you - it is vitally important to practice catch and release during the spawn, so that we can continue to have a healthy fishery in the future.

Catfish are picking up. Glory Hole Point or Angels Cove, near Tuttletown or under the 49 Bridge are all good places for bank anglers to fish for cats. Use mackerel, anchovies or sardines, crawlers, chicken liver, or live large minnows. Paul Hale and Joe Plant had great luck fishing for cats in Mormon Creek. They caught 25 big cats, with the biggest one weighing 8 pounds. It wins our Glory Hole Sports' Big Fish of the Week Contest. Paul and Joe use chicken liver tied with thread to a 2/0 Kahle hook, with no weight. They keep their boat in deeper water, and throw their bait right up close to shore. They say they are fishing in 5 feet of water. Sam and Donovan Vassey caught a 10.8-pound Sacramento Pike Minnow (squawfish) while trolling an Apex 35' deep for kokanee in Carson Cove.

Perch are really starting to be active, so it's time to take your kids fishing! Crappie are showing up as well. Fish brushy coves and creek arms - anywhere there are trees in the water. The south side of the lake has been good, and near Tuttletown is another good choice. Crappie are liking minnows or red/white crappie jigs, and perch are hitting a small piece of crawler under a bobber.

Glory Hole Sports, 736-4333.

Lake Don Pedro - Lake level, 802; water temperature, mid 60s.

The weather has been very good, though cloudy with a little wind.

Best spots to try are around partially submerged trees, near the marina and rocky points.

Trout are still hanging out in the shallows, probably 15-20 feet at the deepest. Crappie are in the brush and trees near the marina.

Catfish are hitting nightcrawlers and anchovies. Blood Powerbait works as well.

The bass are doing excellent, spawning in Grave Yard Creek. Fish near shore with rubber worms, best time is first thing in the morning.

Lake Don Pedro, 852-2369 or 989-2206.

Tulloch Reservoir - Fish the main part of the lake for the best chance of action.

Don Jason of Oakdale Bait and Tackle said the trout bite is best early in the morning. Troll 25-40 feet with a flasher and wedding ring or a No. 2 Needlefish.

Cop car and firetiger are the hot colors to use right now.

881-0107, 847-3447.

McClure Reservoir - Fish in Barrett Cove, Horseshoe Bend, Cotton Creek and Temperance Creek for the best luck.

Diana Mello of A-1 Bait and Tackle said one angler reported 3- to 4-pounders fishing Bagby with Powerbait, minnows and anchovies.

The trout fishing report has continued to sound great.

563-6505, 378-2441

McSwain Reservoir - Try your luck at the brushpile, in front of the campgrounds and marina, Gilligan's Island and the handicap dock.

John Kemper of McSwain Marina said fishing remains good, but not quite as strong as the past couple of weeks.

There weren't many big fish to report this week, though there were a lot of 3-pounders pulled out. Biggest report was from Leo Riggle of Dos Palos, taking a 3.5-pound, 20-inch trout near the dam with rainbow Powerbait.

The handicap dock has had a better bite than the brushpile. Trollers should stay in the slot area, from the first fenceline to Gilligan's Island.

378-2534.