New Melones Lake Fishing Overview

Resting in the Sierra foothills are the deep and scenic waters of the New Melones Lake, expanding 12,500 acres with over 100 miles of shoreline. Due to the large size and plush sloping landscape, the fishery is primarily only accessible by boat or watercraft. New Melones Lake is renowned as one of the best lakes in California for kokanee salmon fishing. However, fishing for rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown trout, and crappie can also be exceptional during certain times of the year. The Department of Fish and Game consistently stocks 10-12...

New Melones Lake is renowned as one of the best lakes in California for kokanee salmon fishing. However, fishing for rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown trout, and crappie can also be exceptional during certain times of the year.

The Department of Fish and Game consistently stocks 10-12 inch rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. The rainbow trout become naturalized quickly, feeding primarily on shad and growing upwards of 6+ pounds. The kokanee growth rate is rapid as well, reaching 18 inches within their first two years. Trolling is the preferred fishing method for these cold-water species. During winter and early spring, they tend to stay in shallower waters (especially the rainbows), but they dive deeper as the weather warms.

New Melones Lake also supports a robust fishery for largemouth bass and crappie in the spring and summer. Anglers often find most success by targeting submerged tree groves in the vast lake's extended arms.

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Species:

Kokanee Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Crappie

Stocked Date:

Trout stocked 6 months ago - View Schedule

Trophy Fish:

Brown Trout: 13.4 lb - 2011
Rainbow Trout: 14.4 lb - 2018
Largemouth Bass: 18.11 lb - 2010
Spotted Bass: 10.48 lb - 2014
Catfish: 36 lb - 1998
Crappie: 3.47 lb - 2019

Boating / Access:

Open to all boating

Geography:

Max Depth: 565 ft

Surface Area: 12,499.2 acres

Surface Elevation: 1,049 ft

Fishing Reports

Log Report

New Melones Lake

Apr 15

California

Public

Excellent Spotted Bass bite

Trout, Bass

62°F Clear

The bass bite is slowly getting better and better at New Melones. Water temps are now in the low 60s, and spotted bass are starting to key in on shallower transition points and structure in 10-20 feet. Baitfish imitations have been best... blade baits, swimbaits, and jerkbaits are all hooking fish. A few bigger largemouth are being caught as well...

The Kokanee bite is finally going, with limits coming for trollers running pink or gold hoochies in 30-50 feet. Size has been underwhelming, but numbers are good.

A few nice rainbows have reportedly been caught from shore on small swimbaits and ned rigs. Likely from folks going for bass.

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4 anglers found this report useful

New Melones Lake

Feb 14

California

Public

Excellent Bass bite

Trout, Bass

53°F Clear

The big swimbait bite has fully unlocked at New Melones. Water temps in the low 50s have trout active, and the bass are clearly keyed in. Mussel quarantine rules are still limiting boat pressure, and that’s been a good thing. Over the past month, there have been multiple legit double-digit fish reported, along with a steady run of 8–9 pounders, mostly on 7–9 inch trout-profile swimbaits. It’s a low bite deal… you might only get one or two chances all day… but they’re usually the fish of a lifetime. Other bass anglers are finessing with dropshots, Nekos, and Ned rig setups, pulling in better numbers, but obviously smaller fish.

Trout fishing is still good in the upper 20 feet, with Speedy Shiners and spoons getting bit. Some anglers are putting together quick limits when they stay on suspended schools.

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4 anglers found this report useful