Fresh News: Largemouth unusually active at Potholes
Local angler Evan Quillen, shown here, and Pete Fisher had an awesome winter day fishing Potholes Reservoir for largemouth, walleye and crappies on Nov. 28.
Courtesy photo/MarDon Resort
MARDON — The current water level on Potholes Reservoir is 1,041.55 feet, coming up 0.35 feet this week. We are 4.95 feet below full pool. The water temperature is 37-39 degrees on the main reservoir.
Walleye fishing is fair. The walleye are in 18-40 feet. Top technique is jigging. Top baits are blade baits, Jigging Raps, Shadow Raps and drop-shotting 4.0 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.
Warmer winter temperatures are keeping the largemouth more active at this time compared to most years. Best bet is to jig a blade bait in 20-35 feet of water, use a 3 ½-inch tube bait on a 3/8-ounce jig head or a 3.50-inch swimbait on a 1/4-ounce jig head. Mark your fish before you cast.
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 of 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 the 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.