FRESH NEWS: Waterfowl season starts, Perch, Crappie and Bluegill biting
Waterfowl season started with a BANG! This year’s opener brought above average temps that are not ideal for waterfowl hunting. But that didn’t stop the waterfowlers from heading out predawn. The sportsmen were rewarded for their hard work at daylight with mixed bags of Mallards, Pintail, Widgeon, Spoonbill, and Greenwing Teal. A few lucky hunters were able to connect on some trophy White-Fronted (Specklebelly) Geese.
FRESH NEWS: Walleye, channel cats strong at Potholes
MARDON — The weather may be cooling off, but the fishing isn’t. Reports from anglers over the weekend told us that bass and pan fish are still feeding heavily. Multiple anglers landed their personal bests before the wind turned up on the reservoir. This week Potholes Reservoir has risen from 1,032 feet to 1032.26 feet for a gain of just 3 inches. Water temperature was 57.2 degrees Monday afternoon. With the cooler daytime temps and cloud cover expect the water temps to drop quickly. Walleye: Anglers are picking up good-sized eaters in 15-25 feet of water. To target these eaters throw 1/2-ounce or 5/8-ounce Blade baits or No. 7 Jigging Raps along Perch Point and the mouth of Crab Creek and around Goose Island.
WDFW holds regular commission meeting
ELLENSBURG — The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission convened for its regular meeting from October 24-26, 2024, to discuss various wildlife management policies, according to a press release from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
FRESH NEWS: Water level up, bass fishing rewarding
MARDON – This week Potholes Reservoir has risen from 1032.26ft to 1034.42ft for a gain of 2.16ft. Water temp was 51.7 degrees Monday afternoon. With Potholes Canal shutting down for the winter and Moses Lake on schedule to start dropping in the next week the water levels will continue to rise rapidly.
WA elk hunters asked to keep an eye out for CWD
OLYMPIA – Elk hunters in Washington are gearing up for another season, as the general hunting season for Eastern Washington elk opened last Saturday, October 26, followed by the western Washington elk season beginning November 2.
Fishing closed on Snoqualmie River
OLYMPIA — Fishing will close Friday on the Snoqualmie River from its mouth near Monroe to Snoqualmie Falls, according to an announcement from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Seniors save on fishing in Washington
COLUMBIA BASIN — A day on the water with a pole and peace and quiet may just be what the doctor ordered, even if you have to wear some mittens as temps decline.
FRESH NEWS: Crappie, waterfowl prospects good at Potholes
MARDON — As the water temperature drops crappie begin to form large schools under and around the MarDon dock to gorge themselves on the minnows that have summered here. The MarDon Resort dock has been a destination for fall anglers for many years now. Last week our dock provided dozens of anglers with near limits of crappie daily. Targeting crappie off the dock can be tricky. Start tying on a 1/64 Trout Magnet jig head, then tip it with your choice of a silver and black Bobby Garland Baby Shad or a 1.5-inch Watermelon Pearl Berkley Gulp Minnow. This set up can be fished vertically, tight-lined or under a slip bobber. To access the MarDon dock, you must be a registered guest of the resort and have a dock pass.
Black Friday fish have been stocked across WA
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is stocking 24 lakes with over 65,000 rainbow trout for Black Friday fishing. The fish measured longer than 14 inches and weighed around three pounds each, according to WDFW.
WDFW looking for new Game Management council members
OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is currently accepting applications for new members to its Game Management Advisory Council. WDFW Director Kelly Susewind will appoint eight members to the 18-member council, with terms commencing in 2025.
