FRESH NEWS: Bass fishing remains strong, trout slowing down

MARDON – The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1028.5 feet – Rising 0.19 feet this past week. We are currently slightly more than 2 feet above the low pool. The water temperature on the main lake and on the face of the sand dunes is right around 60 degrees.  

The Largemouth bass fishing has been excellent this week. Fish Spooks early and late and always have a Watermelon Moondust Senko rigged to follow up on missed fish. Fish the face of the sand dunes. Throw skirted jigs, glide baits, jerkbaits, chatter baits, Senkos, and deep diving crankbaits. Fish are in 1-20 feet of water.1 to 3-pound fish are plentiful with a few in the 4-5-pound range. The Largemouth and most species on the face of the dunes and the deep humps. 

The Smallmouth fishing has been good this week. Fish using Ned rigs, 4-inch Senkos, 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 will continue to get better in the coming weeks as the water temp is dropping, and the walleye are moving into their Fall pattern. Walleye can be caught trolling the humps and flats on the face of the sand dunes. Troll both #9 Flicker minnows and No. 7 Jointed Flicker shad at 2-2.5 mph. Also troll a slow death rig with a crawler at .8 -1.2 mph. Fish in 6-22 feet of water. Jigging has also been effective. Cast or vertically jig Jigging Raps and blade baits. 

Trout fishing has been slow to fair. Troll #5 Flicker Shads or Macks CHA-CHA Rigs tipped with a worm at 2-3 mph. Fish from MarDon Resort to Blythe Point and in front of Frenchman’s wasteway. From shore, fish Medicare Beach with Night Crawlers or cast 5-inch single-tail grubs. 

The Seep Lakes south of the Potholes Reservoir are fishing well. Top trout 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.

Bluegill, crappie and some big perch are coming in from the face of 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 in Monkey Milk or Mayfly colors along the channels and along the willows after marking the school on your electronics. Fish 6-22 feet. Also try trolling a #5 jointed Flicker Shad across the face of the sand dunes. 

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