New Melones Lake

CA

Gold Country reservoir known for kokanee and quiet houseboat coves.

38.000°N 120.520°W923 ft
BoatingCampingFishingPaddlingRV
Storage63%of capacity · California Data Exchange Center
Lake level1,004.0ftCalifornia Data Exchange Center · down · history
Today73°FPartly Sunny · low 59°F
Wind5 mphWSW · NWS

Photo: snty-tact (Talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Rentals, stays & trips for New Melones LakePartner links · same price for you
Rent a boat on New Melones LakePontoons, ski and fishing boats from local ownersBoatsetter Stay near New Melones LakeLake cabins, vacation homes and hotelsExpedia · Vrbo Fishing charterHalf and full-day trips, gear includedViator Private campsiteWhen the public sites are fullHipcamp

Heads up: Off-season trips are quieter. Many owners still rent on calm, sunny weekends.

Rent a boat on New Melones LakeBoatsetter · partner link→
Guides for New Melones LakeBoat rentals →Camping →Fishing →Water level →
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · USGS 3DHP

Quick facts

Type
Lake
State
California
Elevation
923 ft
Boat ramps
2
Campgrounds
3
Fish species
1

Get on the water

Ramps & rentals

Tuttletown Boat Launch

· 1.4 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Boat ramp

· 1.5 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Boat rentals

Rent a boat for New Melones Lake

Pontoons, ski boats and fishing boats from local owners, with or without a captain.

Affiliate link

Where to stay

Camp near the water

Glory Recreation Area

· 1.2 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Acorn Campground

· 1.2 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Fiddleneck Group Camp

· 1.4 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Public sites full?

Private sites nearby

Ranch, desert and waterfront sites hosted by landowners.

Affiliate link
Rather sleep indoors?

Cabins and hotels near New Melones Lake

Lake houses, cabins and hotels close to the water, with free cancellation on many stays.

Affiliate link
No rig? No problem

RV delivered to camp

Some owners will drop a trailer at the campground and pick it up when you leave.

Affiliate links

What's biting

Fishing by month

Native lives here naturallyWild introduced, reproduces on its ownStocked planted by the state
SpeciesOriginJFMAMJJASOND
Rainbow troutLast stocked Nov 16, 2025 Stocked

Lighter is slow, darker is peak. The outlined column is this month. "Reported" means only one verified catch record so far.

Guided trips

Book a fishing charter

Half-day and full-day trips with gear and local know-how.

Affiliate links
Recent stocking
  • TroutNov 16, 2025
CDFW Fish Planting Schedule

Gear for these fish

Partner links

Rainbow trout

Fly rods, reels and fliesTrident Fly Fishing→Fiberglass fly rods and kitsEpic Fly Rods→Spoons, spinners and minnow luresRapala→

For every angler

Landing nets and fly boxesEGO Fishing→Sun-protective fishing shirtsHook & Tackle→Fishing shirts, shorts and vestsColumbia→

Fishing rules · California

Limits & regulations

● Under review
Limits under reviewWe're confirming the current limits for this water. Until then, check the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (wildlife.ca.gov) before you fish.
⚑ Check before you go.We update these weekly, but rules can change at any time. For the official rules, see the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (wildlife.ca.gov).

Off the water

Nearby trails

TrailheadsNone listed yet in Recreation.gov or OpenStreetMap for this water.

Trailheads from OpenStreetMap and hand-checked notes. Open the trailhead in your hiking app for full route details.

Before you launch

Gas, bait & supplies nearby

Gas and fuel docks

  • Gas station
    3.2 mi
  • Chevron
    5.1 mi
  • Sierra
    5.4 mi
  • Shell
    6.1 mi

Bait and tackle

  • Sierra Nevada Adventure Co.
    10.0 mi

Groceries and ice

  • Food Mart
    5.1 mi
  • Chevron
    5.4 mi
  • Save MartIce 260 South Main Street, Angels Camp · 06:00-23:00
    5.8 miCall
  • Barendregt's GroceryIce
    6.2 mi

RV dump and fresh water

  • RV dump stationDump station South Petersburg Road
    19.3 mi

Ranger stations

  • Calaveras Ranger Station 5519 Highway 4, Hathaway Pines
    15.4 miCall
  • Calavaras District Ranger Station 5519 Ebbetts Pass Highway
    15.4 miCall
  • Mi-Wuk Ranger Station 24695 Sonora Pass Highway
    18.9 miCall

Hospitals and urgent care

  • Angels Camp Medical Clinic 222 South Main Street, Angels Camp · Mo-Fr 08:00-17:00
    5.8 miCall
  • Adventist Health SonoraEmergency 179 Fairview Lane, Sonora
    7.2 miCall
  • Tuolumne MeWuk Indian Health Center
    15.4 miCall
  • Mark Twain Medical CenterEmergency 768 Mountain Ranch Road, San Andreas · 24/7
    15.5 miCall

Distances are straight-line from the water. Listings © OpenStreetMap contributors; hours change, so call ahead. In an emergency, call 911.

Trip planner

Build your weekend

Saturday71°FSunnyWind 1 to 5 mph SSW
Sunday74°FSunnyWind 0 to 6 mph SW

National Weather Service forecast. Afternoon wind builds on big lakes; plan crossings for the morning.

How many days
Who's coming
Main thing

Packing list

Don't forget

Photos

New Melones Lake in pictures

New Melones Lake (7394450178).jpg
Bureau of Reclamation · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Aerial view of New Melones Lake and Angels Camp, December 2023.JPG
Pi.1415926535 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Stanislaus River 6.jpg
Zachary Collier · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Good to know

New Melones Lake FAQ

Can you rent a boat on New Melones Lake?

Yes. Boat rentals for New Melones Lake can be searched on Boatsetter, where local owners list pontoons, ski boats and fishing boats, some with a captain. Availability changes by season, so book early for summer weekends. Public launches include Tuttletown Boat Launch, Boat ramp.

Where can I launch a boat on New Melones Lake?

Boat ramps and marinas listed for this water: Tuttletown Boat Launch, Boat ramp. Fees and hours change by season, so check with the managing agency before you tow.

Where can I camp near New Melones Lake?

Campgrounds near the water include Glory Recreation Area, Acorn Campground, Fiddleneck Group Camp. When public sites are full, private sites nearby are listed on Hipcamp.

What fish are in New Melones Lake?

New Melones Lake has Rainbow trout. Rainbow trout is stocked by the state.

Is New Melones Lake stocked with fish?

Yes. The most recent state planting report for New Melones Lake lists Trout the week of 2025-11-16. Sign up on this page to get an email when it's stocked again.

What is the water level of New Melones Lake today?

On 2026-10-19, New Melones Lake was at 1,003.98 feet, 63% of capacity. That's down 1.09 feet from a week earlier. Source: California Data Exchange Center, updated daily.

Is there gas near New Melones Lake?

The closest listed fuel is Gas station, about 3.2 miles from the water.

Where can I buy bait near New Melones Lake?

Bait and tackle nearby: Sierra Nevada Adventure Co. (10.0 mi). Hours change, so call ahead.

Do I need a fishing license at New Melones Lake?

Yes. In California, anyone 16 or older needs a California fishing license, and some waters need extra stamps or validations. Check the state wildlife agency for current rules before you fish.

Keep exploring

Nearby water

Merced River41 miSouth Fork American59 miFolsom Lake59 mi · 40% fullLake Tahoe80 mi

Sources: USGS 3DHP, Recreation.gov RIDB, OpenStreetMap contributors, CDFW and AZGFD, GBIF, NWS. Photo credits are listed on the photo credits page. All outbound links are affiliate links.