FRESH NEWS: Crappie make first appearance on Potholes

MARDON — The current water level on Potholes Reservoir is 1,046.35 feet, coming up 0.15 feet this past week. We are currently 0.15 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 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, frogs and Texas-rigged plastics. Fish are in 1-12 feet of water. The largemouth are on beds.

The smallmouth are 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 and along the face of the dam and up Lind Coulee.

Walleye fishing remains fair. The walleye have finished their spawn. Many will remain back in the sand dunes throughout the summer. Fish the main channels in the dunes. Troll a slow death rig with a crawler at 0.8-1.2 mph or cast paddle tail swim baits. Fish in 6-15 feet of water.

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 outings 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.

A few reports of crappies being caught have come in this week. They are staging and beginning to move into the dunes to spawn. Use a slip bobber and a Bobby Garland Baby Shad 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.