New Melones Lake is located in Calaveras County approx. 10 miles west of Sonora, CA. From I-5 at Stockton, take hwy 4 east to hwy. 49 south. Pass the city of Angel Camp and Carson Hill to New Melones Lake.

General Info:

    New Melones Lake consists of 12,500 acres and over 100 miles of shoreline set at an elevation of 1,088 feet. It is the fourth largest man-made lake in California. There are several campgrounds located around the lake offering both RV and tent camping. Water skiing is permitted. New Melones Visitor's Center (209) 536-9094.

Other lakes in the area:
New Hogan Lake
Don Pedro Lake

Boating Info:

    There are several boating facilities here and rental boats are available. Marina: (209) 785-3300

Fishing Info:

    There are kokanee salmon, rainbow and brown trout, small and largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. The lake receives DFG trout plants in the winter and spring months. Night fishing is permitted.
Glory Hole Sports Bait and Tackle

Lake records:

• Brown Trout: 12.7 pounds, caught by Shirley Vollmer upriver on a frozen shad in March of 2000.
• Bass: 15.3-pounds caught by Joe Bruce on February 1st, 2005.
• Spotted Bass: 7.63 pounds, caught on May 3, 2002 by Kyle Rasmussen.
• Catfish: 36 pounds, caught by Dean Nelson.
• Kokanee: 2.8 pounds caught by Ray Koch of Escalon.
• Read and Post New Melones Lake Fishing Reports Here

Comments and Tips:

  If you know something about this area or have some photos that you'd like to share, please E-mail and I'll post it here!

Tim Hill caught these beautiful brown trout while bank fishing near Black Bart day use area, while throwing a silver Kastmaster. The biggest weighed 6.7-pounds.


Ray Koch of Escalon caught this 2.8-pound kokanee while fishing with Jerry Matt of Dogfish Expeditions. He was trolling 90 feet deep near the spillway with a Glitterbugs pink/green hootchie behind a silver/red dodger. (Lake Record)