Fishing New Melones Lake In Central CA

AKA: New Melones Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
New Melones Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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New Melones Lake, CA

Popular Fish Species New Melones Lake, CA

New Melones Lake Popular Fish - Spotted Bass

Spotted Bass Fishing

New Melones Lake is home to many bass tournaments each year. Spotted bass often play role in the outcome for many participants. Spots are often found in small schools on steep banks, around rocky or sandy shorelines, points and ledges. They often prefer hanging out in slightly deeper water than largemouths. Here at New Melones Lake, they are a favorite of many local anglers, as they are plentiful and put up a good tussle when hooked. Fishing for spotted bass can be good anytime you can locate them. Their diet consists mainly of crayfish and insects, but they also eat small baitfish, small sunfish and small bluegill. Most of the time, spots prefer to stage on steep rocky or gravel banks, and may move up and down the water column throughout the day. When shallow, use topwater or shallow crankbaits around rip rap. When they are deep, use drop-shot worms and jigs. Throughout winter, spend your time on deeper structure with small worms, jigs and spoons. Smallmouth bass and largemouth bass also reside here in decent numbers.

Crappie Fishing

Crappie anglers can fish for both black crappie and white crappie at New Melones Lake. These two species tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may catch both species, as they often use the same cover. For best results when fishing for crappie, light line and small hooks are key, especially when fishing live or prepared baits. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. This is a good place to catch quantities of nice, fat slabs. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

New Melones Lake Popular Fish - Bluegill

Bluegill Fishing

Fishing for bluegill is a time-honored tradition at New Melones Lake. Young and old, beginners and seasoned anglers alike, all enjoy catching a bunch of fat bluegill. This year, much like recent years, the bluegill population is healthy and always looking for something to eat. Bluegill fishing is as basic as fishing gets. Any pole, reasonably small line and small hooks baited with anything edible, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to position. Bluegill hang around brush, rocks, vegetation or any cover available.

New Melones Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, white catfish, black crappie, rainbow trout, bluegill and kokanee salmon at New Melones Lake in California.

Bass, trout and crappie all thrive in the cool clear water of New Melones Lake, a 12,500 acre lake, located five miles east of Copperopolis. This recreation paradise also offers fishing for kokanee, bluegill and catfish. There are over one hundred miles of rocky and sandy shoreline for bass to prowl in search of prey.

Bank fishing is available at the Recreation Areas and campgrounds. The New Melones Lake Marina offers rental boats, snacks, bait, tackle, gas and services to assist boating enthusiasts on the water. Boating access is via Angels Creek Boat Launch, New Melones Lake Marina and Tuttletown Recreation Area.

Primary fish species residing in New Melones Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

New Melones Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: NEARBY

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

New Melones Lake Marina
Rentals: Fishing boats, kayaks and pontoons
209 785-3300

Marinas

New Melones Lake Marina
6503 Glory Hole Rd
Angels Camp, CA 95222
209 785-3300

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Angels Creek Boat Launch
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, off Angels Creek Access Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

New Melones Lake Marina Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, off Glory Hole Road, this is a multi-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.