FRESH NEWS: Fishing – with occasional catfish surprises – continues to be excellent

MARDON — The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1028.55 feet — rising 0.35 feet this past week. We are currently 2.05 feet above low pool. The water temperature on the main lake and on the face of the sand dunes is in the mid to upper 60s.  

The Largemouth bass fishing continues to be excellent. Fish Spooks early and late and always have a Senko rigged to follow up on missed fish. Fish the face of the sand dunes. Throw half-ounce jigs, swim jigs, jerkbaits, chatter baits, Senkos, spinnerbaits and Texas rigged plastics. Fish are in 1 to 20 feet of water. Lots of 1- to 3-pound fish are being caught with a few in the 4- to 6-pound range. The Largemouth and most species are on the face of the dunes. 

The Smallmouth fishing has been good this week. Fish 5 to 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 improved this past week and will continue to improve as water temps drop. Walleye can be caught trolling the humps and flats on the face of the sand dunes. Troll both No. 5 and No. 7 Flicker shad at 1.5 to 2.0 mph. Also troll a slow death rig with a crawler at .8 to 1.2 mph. Fish in 6 to 22 feet of water. Jigging is an effective way to fish this time of year for walleye as well. Cast or vertically jig Jigging Raps, blade baits or a 3-inch Gulp Minnow on a 1/4-oz jig head. 

Trout fishing has been fair. Troll No. 7 Flicker Shads or spoons 2 to 3 mph. Fish Medicare Beach or from MarDon Resort to Blythe Point. From shore, fish Medicare Beach with PowerBait or cast 5-inch single tail grubs. 

The Seep Lakes south of the Potholes Reservoir are fishing well. Top lakes are Warden, Long Lake and Soda Lake. 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 face of the sand dunes as well as on the humps in front of the dunes. Use a slip bobber and a Bobby Garland Baby Shad or DS Fry along the channels and along the willows after marking the school on your electronics. Fish 6 to 22 feet. Also try trolling a No. 5 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.