Fresh news: Winter fishing at Potholes

The current water level on Potholes Reservoir is 1,040.83, coming up 0.72 feet this past week. We are 5.67 feet below full pool. The water temperature is 38-40 degrees on the main reservoir. Not much has changed since last week. With the dropping water temperatures, the fish are sliding into their winter habits, going deeper and not feeding as often. Slow your presentation down for walleye.

Walleye fishing is fair. The walleye are in 20-40 feet. Top technique is jigging. Top baits are blade baits, Jigging Raps, Shadow Raps and drop-shotting 4.00’ plastics. Trolling a Slow Death Hook-Smile Blade rig with a crawler and bottom bouncer is producing a few fish as well. Make sure you are marking fish before dropping down if you are jigging.

No reports of anyone fishing for largemouth bass this week. Best bet would be to jig a blade bait in 20-35 feet of water or use a 3 ½-inch tube bait on a 3/8-ounce jig head.

No reports of anyone fishing for smallmouth Bass this week. Best bet: fish the face of the dam and the rock humps around Goose Island. Use a drop shot rig with 4-inch plastics, 5-inch grubs, tubes and blade baits.

Trout are being caught in front of the State Park and off Medicare Beach. Troll No. 5 or No. 7 Shad Raps or Flicker Shads, Wedding Rings and Needlefish. From shore, cast Rooster Tails, Vibrax spinners, or 5-inch curl tail grubs or fish the bottom with Power Bait. No reports from the Seep Lakes this week.

The crappie and bluegill are out on the face of sand dunes. Locate a school and use a slip bobber set to a depth matching the top of the school. Use Bobby Garland Baby Shads or DS Fry on a 1/32-ounce Moon-Eyed jig. Mark your school before you start fishing.

Call the MarDon Resort tackle store for current conditions and fishing information at 509-346-2651.