Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,837,645 acre-feet of water. The lake is rising fast. The water level rose an amazing 7 feet this week, and is now 1037 ft. above sea level and 51 ft. from full capacity. Water temperature has cooled a bit to 50-53 degrees at the surface- warmer in the south side of the lake and where there are creeks and run-offs. With the rising water, there is lots of grass and vegetation underwater. Watch for floating debris and unmarked island tops. The highest Glory Hole Ramp is now in use.
Cooler water temps have pushed the bass down a little deeper, and made them a little more sluggish this week. Spotted bass start to spawn much earlier than largemouth, in cooler, deeper water.
John Martin caught (and released) a 7-pound, 14-ounce (7.88 pound) spotted bass- this is les than 1½ ounces short of the lake record! He caught his lunker drop-shotting upriver. Drop-shotting small shad-patterned worms is the most productive. Jigs are getting the bigger fish. Throw swimbaits when the wind kicks up. Remember to practice catch and release. The Department of Fish and Game does not plant bass, so it is up to us to maintain our bass fishery.
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