New Melones Reservoir southeast of Sacramento

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I got a report from a friend who lives down that way. He said the trout were on top and near the shores now as the lake has recently "turned over".

He said it is the best lake down that way, better than Amador, Pardee or Camanche but it doesn't seem to get noticed by many?

I told him it might be because it is further south?

It is good in the fall, winter and spring with fish in the shallows.

[Mike Thompson]

Bill, there are some really nice trout in that lake. I bass fish all winter there and I catch some enormous trout accidentally quite often. I've caught bows over 5lbs on plastic worms and jigs and also have alot of trout follow the worm to boat when it is reeled in. The trout up there really like nasty weather and when the rains come and the creeks are flowing in they stack up at the intlets. The best part is that it's a free lake unlike those other places you mentioned and the water is always nice and clear.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Thanks Mike

I have heard good things about that lake for years but don't know any fly fishers who fish it.