FRESH NEWS: Walleye, trout fishing solid

MARDON — The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1044.50 feet — dropping one foot this past week. The water temperature on the main lake is right around 65 degrees. The sand dunes are in the upper 60s.  

The largemouth bass fishing continues to be very good. Anglers will find good spots back in the sand dunes. Throw one-half-ounce black and blue jigs, swim jigs, jerkbaits, chatter baits, Senkos, spinnerbaits, frogs and Texas-rigged plastics. Fish are in 1 to 12 feet of water and most have finished spawning.

The smallmouth bass are about done spawning.  Anglers should fish in 5 to 20 feet using Ned rigs, Senkos, spinner baits, drop shot rigs, blade baits, crankbaits and tubes. People should fish the rock piles around Goose Island and along the face of the dam and up Lind Coulee.

Walleye fishing has been very 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 .8 to 1.2 mph or cast paddle tail swim baits, fluke baits and hard jerk baits. Fish in 6 to 15 feet of water. 

Trout fishing has been good. Troll No.  7 Flicker Shads or spoons at 2 to 3 mph. It’s recommended to 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 inches 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 at 6 to 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.