FRESH NEWS: Trout, walleye biting well at Potholes

MARDON — The current water level on Potholes Reservoir is 1,039 feet, dropping 1.8 feet this past week. We are currently 7.5 feet below full pool. The water temperature on the main lake is right around 72 degrees. The water temperatures in the sand dunes have jumped this week to the mid-80s.

The largemouth bass fishing has been excellent this week! Fish frogs early and late and always have a Senko rigged to follow up on missed fish. Fish back in the sand dunes. Throw 1/2-ounce jigs, swim jigs, jerkbaits, chatter baits, Senkos, spinnerbaits, frogs and Texas-rigged plastics. Fish are in 1-12 feet of water. Lots of 1- to 3-pound fish are being caught with a few in the 4- to 5-pound range.

The smallmouth fishing has been good this week. Fish 5-20 feet using Ned rigs, Senkos, spinner baits, drop shot rigs, blade baits, crankbaits and tubes. Fish the rock piles around Goose Island and along the face of the dam and up Lind Coulee.

Walleye fishing has been good this past week.  The walleye are in the weeds back in the sand dunes and up Crab Creek. Troll a slow death rig with a crawler at 0.8-1.2 mph or cast paddle tail swim baits, fluke baits and hard jerk baits. Fish in 6-15 feet of water. Walleye are also being caught trolling crankbaits. If trolling follow the weed lines as closely as possible. Trolling for walleye will improve as the water level drops, pulling the bait and walleye out of the weeds and into the main channels.

Trout fishing has been very good. Troll No. 7 Flicker Shads or spoons at 2-3 mph. Fish Medicare Beach or from MarDon Resort to Blythe Point.  From shore, fish Medicare Beach with PowerBait.

The Seep Lakes south of Potholes Reservoir are fishing well for trout. Top lakes are Warden, Upper Hampton and Upper Goose. Use PowerBait 18 inches off the bottom or cast Rooster Tails. From a boat troll spoons and spinners. Long Lake is producing good catches of walleye, largemouth, smallmouth and perch.

Reports of bluegill, crappie and some big perch are coming in from the sand dunes as well as on the humps in front of the dunes. Most fish are being caught incidentally by anglers trolling for walleye. Use a slip bobber and a Bobby Garland Baby Shad or DS Fry along the channels and along the willows. Fish 6-15 feet. Also try trolling a No. 5 Flicker Shad in the channels.

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