FRESH NEWS: Potholes promising for bass, trout and walleye while perch, crappie and bluegill need a bit more time
Carson Rogers and Jayce Rogers fished the face of the dam on the Potholes Reservoir for a mixed bag of smallmouth and largemouth bass. While perch, crappie and bluegill fishing is slow yet, bass, trout and walleye have been biting.
COURTESY PHOTO/MARDON RESORT/PETE FISHER
MARDON — The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1043.70 feet — coming up half a foot this past week.
We are currently 2.80 feet below the full pool and the water temperature on the main lake is right around 50 degrees. The sand dunes are reaching the mid to upper 50s.
Largemouth bass fishing continues to be very good. Fish back in the sand dunes. Throw half-ounce black and blue jigs, swim jigs, jerkbaits, chatter baits, spinnerbaits, and Texas-rigged plastics. There have been reports of bass on beds.
Smallmouth bass are being caught. Fish 18-30 feet using drop shot rigs, blade baits and tubes. Fish the rock piles around Goose Island and along the face of the dam for best results.
Walleye fishing is fair. Fish the humps in front of the sand dunes and near Perch Point. Trolling
and jigging are both producing catches. Troll a slow death rig at about .8 mph on a bottom bouncer or jig half-ounce blade baits in 18-28 feet of water. Walleye are about to spawn. This will push many of the fish into the channels in the dunes.
Trout fishing has been fair. Troll No. 7 Flicker Shads or spoons 2-3 mph. Fish Medicare Beach
from MarDon Resort to Blythe Point. Corral Lake, Upper Goose Lake and Long Lake have been
producing trout. Use Rooster Tails or PowerBait from shore or troll Wedding Rings from a boat.
No reports of perch, crappie or bluegill — but we expect that to change soon as the season continues to change.
Call the MarDon Resort tackle store for current conditions and fishing information at 509-346-2651.