FRESH NEWS: Anglers catching big bluegill at Potholes

MARDON — Feeling lucky? Want a chance at winning a brand-new Skeeter bass boat? Well, the Nixon’s Marine 2025 Big Bass tournament Saturday is your chance. This tournament offers hourly pay-outs for big fish and each hour’s big fish winner gets a chance to win the Skeeter. Also, there will be additional prizes and drawing. This is one of the most popular and most fun tournaments of the season. Don’t miss out, sign up today.

Big, big, bluegill: Anglers are reporting larger-than-average bluegill being found and caught in the dunes. One of these large bluegill may be the new state record; caught by Chad Halvorson, it weighed in at 2 pounds 6 ounces. Chad spotted this monster bluegill while pre-fishing for the walleye tournament and caught it on a 2-inch swim bait. Anglers are also catching bluegill limits on jigs tipped with worms.

Walleye: Anglers are reporting good numbers of walleye being caught. Most anglers are trolling bottom bouncers with a Mack’s Slow Death rig or Wallypop worm harness in 10-12 feet of water at 0.9-1.1 mph along weed lines. If you’re not into trolling, you can throw jerkbaits or swimbaits targeting the same areas. With the water this high the walleye are spread throughout the reservoir.

Bass: Bass fishing remains very good. Anglers are reporting 50-plus-fish afternoons. Most of these bass are in the 1- to 2-pound range with a few over 3 pounds mixed in. Top water fishing is starting to pick up as well. For larger bass look for areas with good cover and fast escape routes in 8-10 feet of water. Try using jigs tipped with a creature-style bait, Punch Rigs and Texas-rigged 5- and 6-inch Senkos.

The current water level on Potholes Reservoir is 1046.43 feet, rising 0.72 feet this past week. Water temperatures range from 63 to 67 degrees depending on where you are on the reservoir. As always, for more info or help choosing tackle stop into our fully stocked tackle shop. We also carry ammo, boating and hunting accessories and are open seven days a week all year. Or call the MarDon Resort Tackle store at 509-346-2651 for current conditions and fishing information.