MarDon Fresh News – July 12, 2017

The fishing on the Potholes Reservoir continues to be fair to good for all species. The water level has dropped 16 inches this week and is currently at 1037.80 feet.  This brings the Reservoir to a level 7.50 feet lower than the high mark this year of 1045.30 feet back on May 20^th. The water temps back in the dunes are reaching the low 80’s during the day with the main lake surface temps moving into the mid-70’s.

Surprisingly the trout fishing continues to be good for fish in the 2-5-pound range.  Anglers have been long lining Flicker Minnows and Rapala Shad Raps in 15-30 feet of water from the MarDon Resort to the State Park and along Medicare Beach. The trout fishing has improved off the MarDon dock. Dock fishermen are using worms and Power Bait both under a float and on the bottom. We have had several incidental catches of big trout from fishermen targeting crappie – using crappie jigs.

The walleye are still in the dunes and in the brush - but are starting to move towards the outer dunes and weed lines from Crab Creek to in front of Frenchman’s Wasteway. They are holding in 8-18 feet with some moving slightly deeper. Storm GT 360s, Flicker Shads, Smile Blade – Slow Death Rigs, and Wally Pops have been the top producers. Top colors are orange and chartreuse, and perch patterned crankbaits. Best times are 4:30 am – 8:30am – before the sun and heat really get going.

Crappie fishing has been fair this week with reports of big crappie coming off beaver huts back in the dunes and up Lind Coulee close to the M-Road bridge. Top crappie baits are the the Trout Magnet in green -red flake and in white & chartreuse, the 2” Kalin’s Triple Threat grub in Bleeding Tennessee Shad, and standard crappie jigs. The Rapala Rattlin’ rap in size RNR-04 working as well and is a good search bait. The best crappie bait off the MarDon dock has been the Trout Magnet tipped with a maggot. Perch and bluegill are being caught of the dock on worms and crappie jigs. Dock fishing is only available to registered guests staying at MarDon Resort.

Largemouth fishing in the dunes continues to be very good. The fish are hitting SPRO Frogs - early, spinnerbaits, and creature baits such as the Keitech Crazy Flapper pitched to the edges of cover with a ½ oz. tungsten weight. The smallmouth are hitting Storm 360 GT swimbaits, Flicker Shads, tubes, DS Minnows and Keitech Custom Leeches along the face of the dam in 6-20 feet of water on rock.

Long Lake, Soda and Heart Lake have been the top producing lakes for trout in the Seep Lakes this week. Power Bait and worms floated off the bottom and crankbaits have been the top baits. Long Lake has been producing walleye, smallmouth and trout on crankbaits. Hutchinson Lake continues to produce quality crappie and bluegill on crappie jigs, Don’s Crappie Spin, and Rapala Rattlin’ Raps. Lower Hampton is producing good catches rainbow trout.

Caption: Shelby Ross of Ross Outdoor Adventures with a nice walleye caught on one of

his guided trips. Contact Shelby at 509.750.7763 to book a trip.

Caption: Eric Kettwig from Everett, WA caught this nice crappie back in the sand dunes!

Be sure to stop by the store for the latest fishing information.

Upcoming Events

• 7/17 Painting by dp Artz
• 7/27 Paul Sweeney – Live Music
• 8/26/17 Lake Poker Run and Beach Party