MarDon FreshNews – Dec 15, 2017

MarDon Fresh News – December 15, 2017

The water level has come up .45 this past week on the Potholes Reservoir bring it to an elevation of 1040.80. The water temperature on the main lake is right around 40 degrees with lower temperatures back in the sand dunes.  

Fishing: We have had several reports of walleye being caught on the humps towards the face of the sand dunes on Blade Baits. Best bet is to blade bait the humps in 30-40 feet of water, or troll crawler harnesses on a 2-oz. bottom walker. The face of the dam is still producing walleye, smallmouth and trout. Swimbaits, dropshot baits, and football heads with skirted hula grubs and blade baits are the top baits on the dam. Fish 25-35 feet of water next to the dam. Several walleye are being caught off the MarDon dock on Blade Baits and Acme Hyper Glides.

Hunting: The duck hunting has been hit or miss this past week. The birds are here – but it has been extremely calm and overcast the whole week. We hope the coming weather change will get the birds moving. Goose hunting has been good over the past week with numerous limits being reported.

Call the MarDon Store for the latest hunting and fishing info at 509-346-2651

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife held a Commission Meeting on December 8^th and 9^th in Olympia. Much of the meeting was focused on Rule Simplification regarding fishing regulations. One of the Rule Simplifications on the agenda has a direct affect on our local waters. The WDFW is proposing the elimination of all Panfish special regulations on select waters. The Potholes Reservoir, Moses Lake and Banks Lake will be affected if this proposal is passed. The proposal will remove all size and number limits on Perch, Crappie, and Bluegill in the above-mentioned lakes. The public was able to comment online on the WDFW website and as of November 21, 2017, 301 comments had been submitted on the Panfish issue alone. Out of the 301 comments, 273 opposed the proposal with only 28 supporting the rule change. Furthermore, the public was given the opportunity to testify at the meeting.

Mike Meseberg and Pete Fisher of MarDon Resort, Ron Sawyer of Cascade Marina, Joel Nania, and others made the trip to Olympia to testify against lifting the current Panfish regulations. There were many others that attended and showed support in numbers against this proposal. This proposal, if passed, could have a tremendous negative affect on not only the Panfish in these waters, but on the bass and walleye fishing as well.

The public comment on the WDFW site, the Save Our Limits Facebook campaign, as well as the testimony provided by the public at the meeting opposing this the Elimination of Special Regulations on Panfish appears to have made a difference and it got the attention of the Commission. We hope our message was heard and will be considered in the decision. The WDFW Commission will decide on this issue during the January 19-20, 2018 meeting. The approved rule changes will go into effect in July of 2018.

The Brock Strickland party form Marysville, WA after a successful guided goose hunt with Levi Meseberg of MarDon Resort!

Barb Brady of Othello, WA fished braved the cold with her husband Steve Brady and got into some nice Potholes Reservoir walleye fishing Blade Baits on the mid-lake humps!

MarDon Fresh News – Dec 8, 2017

MarDon Fresh News – December 08, 2017 

The water level continues to rise and the water temperature on the main lake is 39.7 degrees with lower temps back in the sand dunes.  The current water level is 1040.35 - .55 feet higher than this time last week. The Reservoir is currently 6.15 feet below full pool of 1046.50 feet.

Fishing: Not much change from last week – not many people fishing – but the fish are there! Best bet is to blade bait the humps in 20 feet in the morning moving to 35-40 feet as the day goes on. Fish ½ oz. blade baits in either silver or gold, or troll crawler harnesses on a 2-oz. bottom walker. The face of the dam is still producing walleye, smallmouth and trout. Crankbaits, swimbaits, dropshot baits, and football heads with skirted hula grubs and blade baits are the top baits on the dam. 

Hunting: The Northern birds are beginning to show up as evidenced by the number of mallards and Snow Geese that arrived this past week. We saw the first flight of approximately 800 Snow Geese set down on the Reservoir today (12/7). With highs in the mid 30’s and lows in the low 20’s projected for the next ten days more birds will be showing up. The current ducks have become somewhat “educated”, but – new birds continue to arrive!

Lately we have had several pleasant surprises on our goose hunts! A December 3^rd goose hunt produced limits of geese with 44 mallards! Another hunt brought in 18 geese and a 49 bag of mallards and widgeons!

Call the MarDon Store for the latest hunting and fishing info at 509-346-2651

Rod Russell of Mill Creek, WA and Dave Ostley of Sanford, FL and friends with a limit of Grays. Dave Ostley has been hunting with MarDon Resorts guide services since 1974!

Bruce Kessler and party from Cheney, WA with a limit of geese and a great bunch of mallards!

Fresh News Report Dec 1, 2017

MarDon Fresh News – December 01, 2017

The water level continues to rise and the water temperature is 40-43 degrees on the Potholes Reservoir. The current water level is 1039.80 - .86 feet higher than this time last week. The Reservoir is expected to rise between .75 and 1.00 foot per week. The Reservoir is currently 6.70 feet below full pool of 1046.50 feet.

Not much to report on the fishing side this week – not because of the fishing – but because of the lack of fishermen. Best bet is to blade bait the humps in 20 feet in the morning moving to 35-40 feet as the day goes on. Fish ½ oz. blade baits in either silver or gold, or troll crawler harnesses on a 2-oz. bottom walker. The face of the dam is producing walleye, smallmouth and trout. Crankbaits, swimbaits, dropshot baits, and football heads with skirted hula grubs and blade baits are the top baits on the dam.

This week has spotty for duck hunter. Some hunters did very well while others struggled to find birds. Several 3-party limits of mallards were brought in. Not many new birds came in.  There are opportunities for geese in the fields as well. Mostly little birds right now, but numbers are decent. The hunting has been good when the weather cooperates. As the temperatures begin dropping this week, more birds should be showing up.

The Mike Porter and Wes Porter party enjoyed a limit of Geese while hunting with Levi Meseberg!

Jeffrey, Jason, and Mark Engel from San Jose, CA limited two days in row hunting Greenheads on the Duck Taxi!

Fresh News Report Nov. 24th, 2017

MarDon Fresh News – November 24, 2017

The water level continues to rise and the water temperature is holding in the mid to lower 40’s on the Potholes Reservoir. The current water level is 1038.94 - .79 feet higher than this time last week. The Reservoir is expected to rise between .75 and 1.00 feet per week.

More anglers fished the Reservoir this week and were rewarded with nice catches of walleye and trout. The humps between Goose Island and Crab Creek are producing walleye up to 7 pounds. Best bet is to blade bait the humps in 20 feet in the morning moving to 35-40 feet as the day goes on. Fish ½ oz. blade baits in either silver or gold, or troll crawler harnesses on a 2-oz. bottom walker. The face of the dam is producing walleye, smallmouth and trout. Crankbaits, swimbaits, dropshot baits, and football heads with skirted hula grubs and blade baits are the top baits on the dam. Medicare Beach is producing is producing nice trout both from the beach with Power Bait and from a boat trolling Flicker Shads.

 This week has been decent for both duck and goose hunters. The Northern mallards are trickling in.  Mallards, Teal and Widgeon the main birds being taken. There are opportunities for geese in the fields as well. Mostly little birds right now, but numbers are good.

 Part of the Bowers party from Chehalis with several birds they got on a guided goose hunt with Levi Meseberg. The party ended up with 49 ducks and 14 geese! Call the MarDon Store for more information on guided hunts.

From Left to Right Jason Groskreutz, Rob Wysong, Payton Wyson, and Josh Plante of Spokane show a great morning's catch of Potholes Reservoir walleye. They used 1/2 oz blade baits in 20-35 feet of water.

Fresh News Report Nov 17, 2017

MarDon Fresh News – November 17, 2017

The water level is rising, and the water temperature is falling on the Potholes Reservoir. The current water level is 1038.15 – 1.37 feet higher than this time last week. The water temperature is in the low to mid 40’s.

Not a lot to report this week on the fishing side – not that the fish aren’t there – just not many anglers on the water this week. Best bet would be to work the face of the dam with crankbaits, swimbaits, dropshot baits, and football heads with skirted hula grubs and blade baits for smallmouth bass and walleye. Medicare Beach is producing is producing nice trout both from the beach with Power Bait and from a boat trolling Flicker Shads.  Also fish the deeper humps between Goose Island either trolling Slow Death rigs or vertically jigging ½ - ¾ oz. Flash Blades for walleye.

This week has been very productive for both duck and goose hunters. The Northern mallards are continuing to arrive.  Teal and Widgeon are also being taken. There are opportunities for geese in the fields as well. Mostly little birds right now, but numbers are good.

Johanna Bolling caught this nice Rainbow trout this week on Medicare Beach!

 Tyler Inderbitzen after a successful hunt - four geese and a limit of mallards!