FRESH NEWS: Trout, bass biting in potholes
Curt Johnson, from Yakima, caught this jumbo Potholes Reservoir crappie on a chatterbait while fishing the sand dunes for bass.
PETE FISHER/MARDON RESORT
MARDON — The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1045.50 feet — dropping 0.55 feet this past week. The water temperature on the main lake is right around 63 degrees. The sand dunes are in the mid to upper 60s.
The Largemouth bass fishing continues to be very good. Fish back in the sand dunes. Throw ½ oz black & blue jigs, swim jigs, jerkbaits, chatter baits, Senkos, spinnerbaits, frogs and Texas-rigged plastics. Fish are in 1-12 feet of water. Most fish have finished spawning.
The Smallmouth are still spawning. Fish 5-20 feet using Ned rigs, Senkos, spinnerbaits, drop shot rigs, blade baits, crankbaits and tubes. Fish the rock piles around Goose Island, along the dam's face and up Lind Coulee.
Walleye fishing has been very good this past week. The Walleye have finished their spawn. The Walleye are in the weeds back in the sand dunes and up Crab Creek. Troll a slow death rig with a crawler at .8-1.2 mph or cast paddle tail swim baits. Fish in 6-15 feet of water.
Trout fishing has been good — several reports of 4-plus-pound trout have come in. 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
The Seep Lakes south of the Potholes Reservoir are fishing well for trout! Top lakes are Warden, Upper Hampton, and Upper Goose. Use PowerBait 18” off the bottom or cast Rooster Tails.
The crappie and bluegill are spawning back in the sand dunes. 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.