MarDon Fishing Report: July 2019

Saturday, July 27, 2019

MarDon Fresh News – July 25, 2019

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1036.95 feet – down 1.45 feet from one week ago. The water temps in the sand dunes are in the mid 70’s to low 80’s. The water temps on the main Reservoir are in the mid to upper-70.

The sand dunes continue to be produce quality Largemouth and Smallmouth bass! Fish the sand dunes and Crab Creek with 3/8^thoz. swim jigs, Senkos, Strike King Cutt’R worms and SPRO frogs. Some good bass are being caught on the face of the sand dunes deeper. The Smallmouth bass are being found on the face of the dam and on the rock piles around Goose Island. Fish Booyah finesse jigs, Wacky Rigged Senkos, Crankbaits, Tubes and DS Minnows for the Smallmouth.

The walleye fishing remains fair. The walleye have spread out and are still in and around the weed beds. Keep at least one rod as close to the weeds as you can – even if it means cleaning weeds off here and there. Fish the West Arm and Crab Creek in 6-20 feet of water. Troll the channels and weed lines with a Slow Death Hook and a 2 oz. bottom walker and ½ a crawler in 8-15 feet. Troll from .8-1.2 miles per hour. The crankbait bite is picking up as the water is dropping over a foot per week. Troll a #5 Flicker Shad or Rapala Shad Rap in the channels and next to the weed beds at 1.5 – 2.5 miles per hour. Now is a good time to jig or drop-shot the weed-lines as well.

The trout fishing has been fair again this week. Fish in front of Medicare Beach to the Mouth of Crab Creek and in front of the State Park. Troll Wicked Lures Trout Killers, Needlefish spoons, #7 Flicker Shads and Shad Raps at 2.0-3.0 mph. Set the drag fairly light as the average trout is 2-5 pounds and can break the line on the initial strike.

The Channel Cat and Bullhead fishing continues to very productive this week. Use Catfish Magic Bait, Berkley Catfish Nuggets, and worms on the bottom for both. Fish up Lind Coulee, the mouth of Frenchman’s Wasteway and in the sand dunes for Channel Cats and Bullhead.

The Crappie and Bluegill fishing has been very good up Crab Creek and along the face of the sand dunes. The fishing continues to improve as the water drops – setting up some amazing panfish fishing in August and September. Fish - Gulp Alive minnows, Trout Magnets, #5 Flicker Shads and Bobby Garland Baby Shads around the willows & weed-lines for Crappie, Bluegill and Perch

Call the MarDon Tackle Store for the latest fishing info at 509-346-2651.

Brandon Palaniuk from Hayden, ID has earned two Bassmaster Elite Series wins and has qualified for six Bassmaster Classics as well as fishing the 2019 Major League Fishing Tour enjoying a day of fishing on the Potholes Reservoir!

Wyatt Smith of Moses Lake - with a big Potholes Reservoir Walleye - caught while chasing Largemouth bass!

Friday, July 19, 2019

MarDon Fresh News – July 19, 2019

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1038.40 feet – down 1.26 feet from last week. The water temps in the sand dunes are in the mid - 70’s to upper 70’s. The water temps on the main Reservoir are in the mid to upper-70 as well.

The sand dunes continue to be very consistent for Largemouth bass! Fish the sand dunes and Crab Creek with 3/8^thoz. swim jigs, Senkos, Strike King Cutt’R worms and Spro frogs. The Smallmouth bass are being found on the face of the dam and on the rock piles around Goose Island. Fish Booyah finesse jigs, Wacky Rigged Senkos, Crankbaits, Tubes and DS Minnows for the Smallmouth.

The walleye fishing has continues to be a bit tough. The walleye have spread out and are still in and around the weed beds. Keep at least one rod as close to the weeds as you can – even if it means cleaning weeds off here and there. Fish the West Arm, Crab Creek and the Lind Coulee in 6-20 feet of water. Troll the channels and weed lines with a Slow Death Hook and a 2 oz. bottom walker and ½ a crawler in 8-15 feet. Troll from .8-1.2 miles per hour. The crankbait bite is picking up as the water is dropping over a foot per week. Troll a #5 Flicker Shad or Rapala Shad Rap in the channels and next to the weed beds at 1.5 – 2.5 miles per hour.

The trout fishing continues to be fair this week. Fish in front of Medicare Beach to the Mouth of Crab Creek and in front of the State Park. Troll Wicked Lures Trout Killers, Needlefish spoons, #7 Flicker Shads and Shad Raps at 2.0-3.0 mph. Set the drag fairly light as the average trout is 2-5 pounds and can break the line on the initial strike.

The Channel Cat and Bullhead fishing has been very good this week! Fish the sand dunes with Catfish Magic Bait, Berkley Catfish Nuggets, and worms on the bottom. Fish in up Lind Coulee, the mouth of Frenchman’s Wasteway and in the sand dunes for Channel Cats and Bullhead.

Crappie and Bluegill fishing continues to pick up back in the sand dunes and up in Lind Coulee. It will continue to improve as the water drops – setting up some amazing panfish fishing in August and September. Fish Gulp alive minnows, Trout Magnets, #5 Flicker Shads and Bobby Garland Baby Shads around the willows for panfish.

Call the MarDon Tackle Store for the latest fishing info at 509-346-2651.

MarDon Resort shop-keep and walleye guide, Nathan Lafrance, shows of a nice stringer of walleye, perch, bluegill and a 15 1/2" crappie after a good day on the Potholes Reservoir!

Mason Meseberg with one of many healthy smallmouth bass caught while fishing the Potholes Reservoir with his dad, Levi, and grandfather, Mike!

Thursday, July 11, 2019

MarDon Fresh News – July 12, 2019

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1039.66 feet – down 1.08 feet from last week and down just over six feet from the high water mark this year. The water temps in the sand dunes are in the mid - 70’s to upper 70’s. The water temps on the main Reservoir are in mid to upper-70 as well.

The sand dunes continue to be very good for Largemouth bass! Results of the Limit Out Performance Marine Potholes Shootout tournament show that the Potholes Reservoir is extremely healthy. Congratulations to Levi and Mason Meseberg for making the Top Ten cut on Day 1 and winning it on Day Two. The father son team caught weighed over 18 pounds each day to take first place. Fish the sand dunes with ½ oz jigs and craw trailers, Swim Jigs, Senkos and frogs. The Smallmouth have moved out of the dunes and anglers are finding them on the face of the dam and on the rock piles around Goose Island. Fish Booyah finesse jigs, Wacky Rigged Senkos, Crankbaits, Tubes and DS Minnows for the Smallmouth.

The walleye fishing has been spotty and tough this week. The walleye have spread out and are still in and around the weed beds. Keep at least one rod as close to the weeds as you can – even if it means cleaning weeds off here and there. Fish the West Arm, Crab Creek and the Lind Coulee in 6-20 feet of water. Troll the channels and weed lines with Smile Blades/Slow Death Hooks/2 oz bottom walker and ½ a crawler in 8-15 feet. Troll from .8-1.2 miles per hour. The crankbait bite is picking up as the water is dropping over a foot per week. Troll a #5 Flicker Shad or Rapala Shad Rap in the channels and next to the weed beds at 1.5 – 2.5 miles per hour.

The trout fishing has been fair this week. Fish in front of Medicare Beach to the Mouth of Crab Creek and in front of the State Park. Troll Wicked Lures Trout Killers, Needlefish spoons, #7 Flicker Shads and Shad Raps at 2.0-3.0 mph. Set the drag fairly light as the average trout is 2-5 pounds and can break the line on the initial strike.

The Channel Cat and Bullhead fishing is heating up with the warm water temps! Fish the sand dunes with Catfish Magic Bait, Berkley Catfish Nuggets, and worms on the bottom. Fish in up Lind Coulee, the mouth of Frenchman’s Wasteway and in the sand dunes for Channel Cats and Bullhead.

Crappie and Bluegill are fishing is picking up back in the sand dunes and up in Lind Coulee. Fish Gulp alive minnows, Trout Magnets, #5 Flicker Shads and Bobby Garland Baby Shads around the willows for panfish.

Call the MarDon Tackle Store for the latest fishing info at 509-346-2651.

Mason Meseberg and Russ Baker show four of five of Levi and Mason Meseberg's winning fish - Mason landed a 5.04 Largemouth as part of their winning Day 2 weight of 18.42 pounds - awesome job!

Levi Rodelo and Cy Floyd made the Top 10 cut on Day One - showing four of five of their 18.23 pound bag for five fish - nice job guys!

Saturday, July 6, 2019

MarDon Fresh News – July 05, 2019

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1040.74 feet – down .80 feet from last week and down just over 5 feet from the high water mark this year. The water temps in the sand dunes are in the mid- 70’s. The water temps on the main Reservoir are in mid-70’s as well.

The sand dunes continue to be good for Largemouth bass. Fish the sand dunes with ½ oz jigs and craw trailers, Swim Jigs, Senkos and frogs. The Strike King Rage Swimm’R has been producing well. The Smallmouth seemed to have moved out of the dunes and anglers are finding them on the face of the dam and on the rock piles around Goose Island. Fish Booyah finesse jigs, Wacky Rigged Senkos, Crankbaits, Tubes and Swimbaits for the Smallmouth.

The walleye fishing continues to be a little spotty this week. The walleye have spread out and are still in and around the weed beds. Keep at least one rod as close to the weeds as you can – even if it means cleaning weeds off here and there. Fish the West Arm, Crab Creek and the Lind Coulee in 6-20 feet of water. Troll the channels and weed lines with Smile Blades/Slow Death Hooks/2 oz bottom walker and ½ a crawler in 8-15 feet. Troll from .8-1.2 miles per hour. The crankbait bite should pick as the water drops. Troll a #5 Flicker Shad or Rapala Shad Rap in the channels and next to the weed beds at 2-3 miles per hour.

The trout fishing picked up this week with more anglers reporting catches of trout in the 16-24” range. Fish in front of Medicare Beach to the Mouth of Crab Creek and in front of the State Park. Troll Wicked Lures Trout Killers, Needlefish spoons, #7 Flicker Shads and Shad Raps.

Call the MarDon Tackle Store for the latest fishing info at 509-346-2651.

Tom Eisenberg chose to spend his 80th birthday fishing at MarDon Resort with his family, including his two granddaughters - Kate and Nicole from Maui, Hawaii. One had never fished before at all - and each ended up catching 2 trout each - all over 3-pounds! Awesome job girls!