New Melones Lake Fishing Report

The kokanee bite at New Melones is about as good as it gets right now. Fish have pulled off the flats and are stacking along the edges of the main river channel in 40 to 70 feet. Most are topping out around 17-18 inches, and limits are coming quick... sometimes within a couple hours of lines in. Pink and gold dodgers paired with light pink or purple hoochies are doing the heavy lifting, especially when trolled with short leaders to give the rigs more erratic action. Speeds right around 1.5 mph are working, with hookups often coming on turns. Mornings remain the best window. A few rainbows are still mixing in, but this is all about kokanee right now. Bass action’s decent for those chasing it... mostly smaller post-spawn fish eating jerkbaits and drop-shots in 10-20 feet of water.

The warming weather is starting to fire up the kokanee and rainbow trout as they chase big shad schools around the lake. Trollers are working 40–60 feet of water and hitting rainbow limits, with a few kokanee mixed in. Apexes, hoochies, and flutter bugs in orange or pink are all producing.

The bass bite has been picking up as both largemouth and spots push into the backs of coves to stage for the spawn. If you can find water in the high 50s to low 60s, you’ll find aggressive fish. Senkos and dropshots are reportedly getting hit hard.

New Melones Lake is showing clear signs of an early spring, with rising temps and water levels pushing bass into shallow back bays. Fish are holding in 5 to 15 feet, favoring hard structure newly flooded by the reservoir’s climb to nearly 80% capacity. One angler reported a 5-pound largemouth and a 3.5-pound spot nailed in the shallows last week.

The free rig is proving very effective. It works like a Texas rig but lets the bait glide slower after the weight hits bottom—perfect for colder water. Ned rigs, drop shots, and Senkos on light line are also producing.

Trout are active near inlets with flowing water, from the surface down to 20 feet. Bright-colored spoons and small, shallow-diving crankbaits are pulling limits. Four-inch Senkos are getting both trout and bass when cast from shore.

Access remains limited due to mussel quarantine regulations, with few boats out on the water. Be sure to check inspection requirements before your trip, as kayaks and paddleboards may also be subject to inspection.