MarDon Fishing Report 4/26/2017

As the weather continues to improve — so does the fishing. Water temperature in the dunes is approaching 60 degrees with the main lake running in the mid-50s. The 10-day weather outlook is calling for temperatures mainly in the upper 60’s to mid-70s next week. This should have a very positive affect on the fishing for all species.

Trout fishing has been fair this past week. The reservoir is producing large rainbow trout for bank fishermen using Power Bait and night crawlers fished on the bottom. The Seep Lake’s trout fishing has improved. Canal Lake produced limits for a party of four anglers two days in a row. The fish were running 13” on average. They were trolling Wooly Bugger flies and using Rooster Tails for their fish. Lower Hampton continues to yield trout in the 2 to 3-pound range from the bank casting Rooster Tails.

Bass fishing continues to be very good for anglers fishing the dunes for Largemouth. Fish are averaging 2 to 3-pounds with fish in the 5-pound range reported. If you plan on fishing the dunes make sure you have heavy duty tackle capable of casting large lures and with enough back bone to wrestle big fish out of heavy cover. The bass are hitting jigs and creature baits Texas rigged, spinnerbaits and chatter baits. Fish these baits in the heavy wooded cover. Bass are also moving up to the 3 to 10-foot depth range on the main lake. Both Largemouth and Smallmouth bass are being caught along the shore and brush lines using Tube baits, Sniper Snubs-drop-shotting and Ned Rigs.

The walleye are beginning to show. We have several reports of fish being caught in Lind Coulee on spinner rigs and crawlers as well as 3” grubs jigged in 12-18 feet of water. Some fish are also showing in and in front of Crab Creek trolling Slow Death/Smile Blade rigs with half a night crawler. Most fish are in the 14-18” range with reports of several in the 20” range. With the weather improving next week, the fish should be finishing up their spawn and get back to feeding.

For those anglers who enjoy fishing for Channel Cats, now is a good time. We have had several reports of Channels being caught, including an 18-pounder caught by Mike Morrow of Marysville. Mike had a great day - catching 30 Largemouth bass, 16 Brown Bullhead, and the big Cat! Mike was using 8-lb test line and a small piece of sausage for bait. It took him 20 minutes to land the big fish. Mike was fishing in 6 feet of water in the dunes. The shallows in Lind Coulee is another top spot for Channel Catfish.

A big “Thank You” to the Washington Bowfishing Association. They opened their event season with the Desert Machine Season Starter carp tournament April 20 on the Potholes Reservoir. Congratulations to team Shaw/Sellers for a first-place finish with a 10-carp weight of 143.35 pounds and Big Fish at 21.43 pounds! As a group, the WBA removed close to 4,000 pounds of carp from the Reservoir in one day.

Upcoming Events:

May 6-7, 2017. Spring Walleye Classic. A CWFAC event. Part of the 2017 Washington Walleye Circuit. Registration form and information can be found on the MarDon website under Events.