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FISHINLINES
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New Melones Reservoir - Be careful - do you have more than your limit of fish in possession? The limit in the Valley District, including New Melones Lake, for all salmonids (rainbow trout, brown trout and kokanee) combined is five total. According to the Fish and Game Commission, that is a total of five only (not 10 in possession like it used to be), whether in your boat or in your freezer. While the DFG will not be searching your house to count how many fish you have, it is ethical and the sign of a good sportsman to only harvest what you can use. If you share your catch with friends, that is OK - just remember, a total of five mixed salmonids caught in one day or in possession at any time.

New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,419,000 acre-feet of water. Lake is at 59 percent capacity. Lake elevation dropped four feet this week, and is currently at 994 feet above sea level, and 94 feet from full capacity. Water temperature is approximately 74-78 degrees, and clear with good mud lines forming.

We've seen some fabulous brown trout this week, as well as last week! Gordon Lundgren of Turlock wins our Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest and a free deli lunch with his huge 11.1-pound brown trout! He caught this trophy while trolling a silver/blue Excel Lure 40' deep near the dam. Richard Meyers caught a 5.8-pound brown while still fishing for bass 60' deep under the 49 Bridge with a dart-headed Senko worm. Bill Pippen caught a 4.9-pound brown while trolling worms and minnows 30' deep by the dam. None of these anglers were using dodgers or flashers. Rainbows are showing up in mixed limits with kokanee. Trollers should target the main lake near the spillway/dam and Rose Island. Fish are gradually moving deeper, and are about 40-50 feet deep. Wedding Rings, Needlefish, Apex, Father Murphys Bugs, Uncle Larry's Spinners, and Sockeye Slammers trolled behind flashers or dodgers are all working. Bite has been best in the early morning, so plan to hit the lake early. Bank anglers should target the creeks, such as Angels Creek.

Kokanee action has been great! Most anglers report catching limits in one hour, as long as they hit the water in the early morning - plan on being in the water at daybreak for best results. Other anglers say they are having a hard time finding limits. Once the water temperature warms up a little more, the kokanee will school up in big schools, and limits will be easy. The main lake is the place to be - target the wind-blown side of Rose Island, or in front of the dam. 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 fluorescent Apex. Be sure you tip your lure with shoepeg corn soaked in ProCure oil. It is very important to troll slowly (1.2 mph) to catch kokanee. Some anglers who caught kokanee this week include John Darroch, Joe Hallett, Richard Kowski, Glenn Hicks, Dave Ferreira and youngsters Joshua, Sarah and Macey.

Bass fishing has been fair, with plenty of smaller fish providing action. Bigger fish are harder 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 or brush. If there is a mud line, there will be bass hiding in it. The south side of the lake has been good. Carolina-rigged Zoom green pumpkin or watermelon Tiny Brush Hogs are working well. Drop-shotted Keeper 4" shad-colored worms are producing fish, too. Throw a top-water bait such as a spook or Pop-R in the early morning. White Speed Traps and white or white/chartreuse spinnerbaits are other good lures to throw. Tim and Brent McGarvey went fishing with their Uncle Dave, and caught and released lots of bass. They had best luck with dart-headed salt/pepper grubs and small watermelon lizards.

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. The action is always best at night for catfish, when they move into the shallows to feed.

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

The best bets for trout are night crawlers, cripplures and Needlefish. Shad is working best for kokanee trolling. Fishing near the dam has been productive, and bass fishing has also been good. One angler caught a 6 1/2-pound largemouth bass with night crawlers. For bass, try spinner bait in white and chartreuse in the coves and around the points. Catfish are hitting clams and Power Bait.

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

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

Plastics with any kind of gold in them are working best for bass. Live bait is the only alternative - crickets, crawdads or minnows. Trollers are going down 30-40 feet with night crawlers for trout. The crappie bite is good with 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 and Tackle said bass have moved to deeper waters off the main body points. The rock piles and brush in front of the dam are a couple of good spots. Crappie are hitting. Try worms and Senkos early in the morning and late in the evening for the slumping bass bite.

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 limits came in last Tuesday. Trollers were working flasher/crawler combinations in the slot area. Bank anglers did best at the brush pile, where the fish usually migrate after the plants. Try rainbow Power Bait or inflated night crawlers.

378-2534.