FRESH NEWS: All Seep Lakes open, smallmouth bass spawning

The current water level on Potholes Reservoir is 1,046.2 feet, coming up 0.5 feet this past week. We are currently 0.3 feet below full pool. The water temperature on the main lake is right around 50 degrees. The sand dunes are staying in the mid- to upper 50s.

The weather has remained close to the same each day for the past several weeks. Not much has changed this week. The cooler nights that we have been experiencing is prolonging the spawn.

The largemouth bass fishing continues to be very good. Fish back in the sand dunes. Throw 1/2-ounce black-and- blue jigs, swim jigs, jerkbaits, chatter baits, Senkos, spinnerbaits and Texas-rigged plastics. Fish are in 1-12 feet of water. 

The smallmouth are spawning.  Fish 5-20 feet using Ned rigs, Senkos, drop shot rigs, blade baits, crankbaits and tubes. Fish the rock piles around Goose Island and along the face of the dam. 

Walleye fishing remains fair. Fish the humps in front of the sand dunes and near Perch Point. Trolling and jigging are both producing. Troll a slow death rig at about .8 mph on a bottom bouncer or jig 1/2-ounce blade baits in 12-28 feet of water. The walleye are spawning. 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 or from MarDon Resort to Blythe Point.  From shore, fish Medicare Beach with PowerBait.

All the Seep Lakes are now open for fishing. Many anglers enjoyed successful outing on the smaller trout lakes. Top lakes are Warden, Upper Hampton and Upper Goose. Use PowerBait 18 inches off the bottom or cast Rooster Tails.

No reports of perch, crappie and bluegill.

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