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New Melones Lake, California, USA

Also known as:  New Melones Reservoir

Gently placed into the central Sierra Nevada Mountains near Sonora in Calaveras County, New Melones Lake holds the title of fourth largest reservoir by volume in California. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the New Melones Dam and powerhouse between 1966 and 1979 for flood control on the lower Stanislaus River and San Joaquin River Delta, hydropower generation, irrigation and municipal water supply, and fish and…
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    • All About New Melones Lake, CA

    Lake Locations: USA - US West Region - California - Gold Country Region, CA -

    Gently placed into the central Sierra Nevada Mountains near Sonora in Calaveras County, New Melones Lake holds the title of fourth largest reservoir by volume in California. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the New Melones Dam and powerhouse between 1966 and 1979 for flood control on the lower Stanislaus River and San Joaquin River Delta, hydropower generation, irrigation and municipal water supply, and fish and wildlife management. The Corps transferred management of the New Melones project to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 1979. The proximity of New Melones Lake to San Francisco–just 125 miles away–has helped it blossom into a popular waterfront playground.

    Begin your New Melones Lake trip with a stop at the Visitor Center and Museum. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, the center is dedicated to educating you about the Stanislaus River and how it was used by the area’s original settlers. The informational tidbits are interesting and sometimes surprising, like when you learn that this region has been populated for over 9,000 years. The area that surrounds the lake is literally peppered with archaeological and cultural sites, and your stop at the Visitor Center will help you narrow down which ones you’d like to see.

    Each year, about 800,000 visitors flock to the shores of New Melones Lake, but with all the space that its 12,500 acres provides, you can feel like you’ve found your own private slice of paradise. There are over 300 camping sites, several boat launches, a handful of marinas that rent boats, and some great fishing opportunities for the avid angler.

    Fishing on New Melones Lake is a treat for even the most experience angler. The cool, clean waters are home to black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, kokanee, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass. Bring your boat with you or rent one from a local marina, and get out onto the waters to enjoy perfect blue skies, gentle breezes, and the excitement of catching your next meal. As always, make sure you have a valid California fishing license.

    If you love the outdoors, the hiking and biking trails surrounding the reservoir are sure to strike your fancy. You’ll find most of the developed trails within the Glory Hole Recreation Area, though there are several more scattered around New Melones Lake’s 100-mile shoreline. Trails range from easy (less than 2 miles of fairly flat terrain) to challenging (4+ miles with steep hills and terrain) and allow you a first-hand look at incredible natural bridges, amazing lake vistas, soaring mountains, and so much more. For a map of the area trail system, stop at the Visitor Center.

    For boating enthusiasts, New Melones Lake has several boat launch ramps and docks in both the Glory Hole and Tuttletown Recreation Areas. Taking a boat out is truly the best way to see this large and lovely lake, giving you the opportunity to see trees reflecting off calm waters, investigate coves and tranquil lake nooks, and get a front-row ticket to the diverse wildlife that make the reservoir their home.

    If you really love the feel of the water beneath you and the sound of an engine, consider renting a houseboat. New Melones Lake has several houseboating options, and you’ll live in true waterfront luxury as you explore the lake in your own portable home. Falling asleep to the lap of water against the boat and having your only alarm be the brilliant sunrise is a once-in-a-lifetime treat that this unique option will afford you.

    With all the water fun, you’ll have to jump in sooner or later. Take a dive off the back of your boat and luxuriate in nature’s own air conditioning, float on your back and watch the clouds drift by, or pump up the excitement and take a wild tube ride behind a boat. More experienced water lovers are free to water ski or kneeboard, and if you’re there on a warm summer day, you’ll find that you’re in very good water sport company.

    New Melones Lake is full of outdoor activities and active fun for every age, taste, and preference. Whether you’re relaxing lakeside and taking in the sun or hiking through mountains to catch a spectacular view of the lake below, you’ll know that you’ve found a truly beautiful and tranquil vacation spot.

    Things to Do at New Melones Lake

    These are some activities in the New Melones Lake, CA area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Water Skiing
    • Tubing
    • Camping
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Museum
    • Playground

    What Kind of Fish Are in New Melones Lake?

    New Melones Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Black Crappie
    • Bluegill
    • Catfish
    • Channel Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Kokanee Salmon
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Rainbow Trout
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Sunfish
    • Trout
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    Find Places to Stay at New Melones Lake

    If you’re considering a New Melones Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a New Melones Lake Vacation

    Our interactive New Melones Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    New Melones Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Not Known

    Water Level Control: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

    Surface Area: 12,500 acres

    Shoreline Length: 100 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,088 feet

    Average Depth: 131 feet

    Maximum Depth: 565 feet

    Completion Year: 1979

    Drainage Area: 980 sq. miles

    New Melones Lake Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

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