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FISHINLINES
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New Melones Reservoir - New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,191,000 acre-feet of water. Lake is at 49 percent capacity. Lake elevation is 968 feet above sea level, and 120 feet from full capacity. Water inflow is registered at 874 cubic feet per second while outflow is only 14 cubic per second, giving us another foot of water this week. Water temperature has cooled to approximately 57-58 degrees, and the lake has "turned over."

Big rainbows are showing up in the major creek arms such as Mormon Creek, Coyote Creek and Rose Creek upriver (these are accessible by boat only). Bank anglers are doing well in Angels Cove, Glory Hole Point, and under the 49 Bridge. Power Bait or marshmallow/crawler combo seems to be the best bait. Fishers are advising that a whole or piece of nightcrawler seems to be important whether fished alone, in a combo or on a lure. You may also want to throw a small silver/blue Kastmaster, a small Rattletrap, or a shad-colored spinner such as a Mepp's or Panther Martin. Raechel Lydon, 11 years old of Lodi, found trolling near the Dam right on top with frozen shad worked to give her a beautiful limit of rainbows, one over two pounds. Trollers are still reporting easy limits in the top 10-20 feet of water in the main lake, and at the mouths of major creeks. Remember - when fish are on the surface, it's important to have plenty of line out behind your boat (as much as 100-150 feet). Using side planers is a great way to get your lure away from the boat chop and commotion that your boat causes, which scares the fish away from the area behind your boat. Spinner/crawler combos and rainbow trout or shad patterned Apex lures, trolled either alone or behind a dodger have enticed many trout this week. For Sean and Brent McGarvey, 12 and nine years old, of Livermore a silver Sep's spoon with a watermelon dodger trolling near the 49 bridge was the answer to getting their trout. Frozen shad or rainbow or brown trout-patterned Rapalas are your best bet for big browns. The Spro Sliding Hook Rig is an easy way to rig a frozen shad for trolling. We had another beautiful brown trout this week. Weighing 8.4 pounds, this one was caught while trolling frozen shad near the spillway by Mike Reynolds of Manteca, our Big Fish of the Week.

Kokanee are done for the season, although some trollers are picking up a 12-13 inch fish while trolling for rainbows.

Bass fishing has been fair, with smaller fish feeding in the shallows and bigger fish in deeper water and hard to find. Try fishing near main lake points or by steep drop offs. Smaller fish are hitting drop-shotted 4" crawdad-colored worms, such as Roboworm Bold Bluegill or Keeper 411 or 1038 (oxblood). Bass have also recently been caught on Rattletraps, crankbaits, swim baits and spoons. Using a blue/silver spoon over submerged structure and island tops will catch bass as the water temperature falls. The fluttering fall of the spoon imitates the shad that die in the cold water.

The catfish bite has been slow. Try Angels Cove, Glory Hole Point, under the 49 Bridge, or near Tuttletown. Use mackerel, anchovies or sardines, crawlers, chicken liver, or live large minnows. The action is always best at night for catfish, when they move into the shallows to feed.

Crappie and bluegill are showing up occasionally. The south side of the lake has been good, and near Tuttletown is another good choice. Best crappie bite has been at night under a submersible light, with minnows or red/white crappie jigs.

Glory Hole Sports, 736-4333.

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

Larry Lee of Clovis caught an 11-pound, 12-ounce black bass with a 3/8-ounce black and blue Duh jig. There is also solid trout fishing and not much competition for fish. Trollers are finding trout in the dam area and the backs of coves. Some are launching at Moccasin Creek and fishing the river arm. Try trolling from the surface to 20 feet with Uncle Larry's Spinners behind a Sep's Sidekick.

852-2369, 989-2206, 848-2746.

Tulloch Reservoir - Don Jason of Oakdale Bait and Tackle said the lake will most likely begin to be refilled the day after Christmas after reaching its lowest point today. Trout bite has picked up. Wedding rings are working for trout from the surface to 20 feet. Hasn't been much of a bass report, but there are launch capabilities now. The gap between the launches is covered. But if you want to shore fish, take some boots because it's very muddy. Bank anglers and trollers are both having luck with medium and small minnows.

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 said trout fishing has been solid. Fish are in the top 25 feet and are chasing shad. Rainbow Power Bait, flasher/crawler combos, rainbow or brown Needlefish and Kastmasters all are working well. All the creeks are running and most of the fish can be found around the creek channels. The bass bite has slowed, and the fish are suspended. Vertical jigging is the main strategy. Target rocky main lake points and any trees with access to deeper water.

563-6505, 378-2441

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

Bank anglers are fishing the brush pile and handicap dock with inflated night crawlers and Power Bait. Throwing Kastmasters also has worked. Trollers are using Needlefish with or without flashers because the fish are shallow. A lot of limits this week.

378-2534