MarDon Fresh News – September 29, 2017

Fall-fishing has begun on the Potholes Reservoir! The fishing has been good all species. Now is the time to get a mixed bag from perch, crappie and bluegill to walleye, bass and catfish. The Potholes Reservoir water level is currently at 1030.10 and slowly rising.  The Reservoir level will continue to rise at different rates as the weather changes through the first part of fall. As the water rises, the rock piles around Goose Island become less visible – be careful navigating around the dunes and Goose Island. The water temps on the main lake and back in the dunes are in the low-60’s in the morning warming to the upper 60’s by evening.

The walleye fishing has been good this past week. Limits are being reported with an average of 4-8 walleye per boat each morning.  The walleye have moved deeper - off mid-lake humps in 20-30 feet of water.  At this depth it is tough to effectively fish crankbaits – so anglers have switched back to Slow Death hooks both with and without a Smile Blade and half a crawler. Troll at 0.7-1.0mph using a 1-2 oz. bottom walker.

Crappie, perch and bluegill fishing has picked up on the main Reservoir. Find the mid-lake humps and fish the tops and sides of them in 13-20 feet of water. Fish a 1-1/2”-2.0” Gulp Minnow on a 1/32^nd or 1/16^th oz. jig head – or drop worms for them. Jumbo perch have been showing around Goose Island more quality than quantity. The MarDon Dock is fishing very good for keeper crappie. Dock fishing is only available to registered guests staying at MarDon Resort.

The Largemouth bass fishing is still going strong and the Smallmouth fishing has picked up. For Largemouth fish the face of the dunes and the tops of the mid-lake humps with football heads and hula grubs, crankbaits, and Senkos. The smallmouth are taking the same baits adding tubes to that list. For Smallmouth fish around Goose Island in 5-15 feet of water as well as the face of the dam.

Upcoming Events

• September 17 – November 1^st Fall Special on already reduced rates!
• RV and Tent sites – Pay 2 nights and get the third night FREE
• Roofed Rentals – Pay 2 nights and the third night ½ off!
• October 28 – Paul Sweeney – Live music at the Beach House!

Nice limit of walleyes caught by a client of Ross Outdoor Adventures!

Big crappie caught out on the face of the dunes - one of 22 - all between 12 and 14" inches!

Chunky Smallmouth bass caught off the MarDon Resort dock!

MarDon FreshNews September 25th 2017

MarDon Fresh News – September 22, 2017

The 13^th Annual MarDon Resort Dock Tournament was held this past week. We had 158 entrants and paid out $5,060 in cash prizes! A very good turn out! All species on the board were weighed in within the first 12 hours for both first and second place standings. It was then a matter of catching a bigger fish than the current leader during the 41-hour long event. It was a lot of fun and we would like to thank all who participated and helped to make this such a fun and successful event. The raffles raised $2,450 for the CWFAC Habitat Project. The money raised will be used to purchase the materials required to build more of the habitat boxes to be used in the Potholes Reservoir. Be sure to mark your calendar for the same weekend next year!

Fall-like fishing has begun on the Potholes Reservoir! The fishing has been very good all species – especially bass and walleye. The Potholes Reservoir water level is currently at 1029.50 and rising.  The Reservoir level will continue to rise at different rates as the weather changes through the first part of fall. As the water rises, the rock piles around Goose Island become less visible – be careful navigating around the dunes and Goose Island. The water temps on the main lake and back in the dunes are in the mid-60’s.

The walleye fishing has been very good this past week. Several limits are being reported. Troll the face of the dunes in 4-20 feet of water. Most fish are being caught trolling #5 or #7 Flicker Shads and Jointed Rapalas in perch, chartreuse, and Rainbow Trout patterns.   Crawler Harnesses with both blades and Smile Blades have been doing well as has the Slow Death/Smile Blade Combo. Use a 1 ½ -2 oz. bottom walker.

Crappie, perch and bluegill fishing remains good. Find the habitat boxes and drop a crappie jig, Gulp Alive Minnow, or a Trout Magnet down 4-12 feet. Jumbo perch have been showing around Goose Island. The MarDon Dock is fishing very good for keeper crappie. Dock fishing is only available to registered guests staying at MarDon Resort.

No change in the largemouth bass fishing – it continues to be outstanding! The fish have stacked up on the face of the dunes and are feeding on the tremendous amount of baitfish in the area. Fish the face of the dunes with Zara Spooks, hula grubs on a football head and wacky rigged Senkos and crankbaits.   The face of the dam has been producing quality largemouth and smallmouth bass. Fish crankbaits and hula grubs rigged on a football head and tubes.

Upcoming Events

September 17 – November 1^st Fall Special on already reduced rates!

RV and Tent sites – Pay 2 nights and get the third night FREE

Roofed Rentals – Pay 2 nights and the third night ½ off!

Winners of the 13th Annual MarDon Resort Marathon Dock Tournament show their trophies and checks! Total payout was $506.00 per species - split between first and second place.

Cole Tabert - Bass Guide with Ross Outdoor Adventures with two big Reservoir largemouth bass!

MarDon Fresh News – September 15, 2017

Some of the best fishing on the Potholes Reservoir is just beginning with the cooling Fall weather! The fishing will pick up for all species – especially bass and walleye. The Potholes Reservoir water level is currently at 1028.85 and rising.  The Reservoir level will rise approximately 2.00 inches per day. Continue to us caution when launching your boat and navigating around the dunes and Goose Island. The water temps on the main lake and back in the dunes are right around 77 degrees.

The walleye fishing has been excellent this past week! Several limits are being reported. Shelby Ross of Ross Outdoor Adventures got 23 walleyes on Tuesday while guiding – including a quadruple header with all four rods down at the same time! With cooler weather in the forecast the walleye fishing should remain strong. Troll the face of the dunes in 4-15 feet of water. Most fish are being caught trolling #5 or #7 Flicker Shads and Jointed Rapalas in perch, chartreuse, and purple colors.  Crawler Harnesses with both blades and Smile Blades have been doing well as has the Slow Death/Smile Blade Combo. Use a 1 ½ once bottom walker.

Crappie, perch and bluegill fishing remains good. Find the habitat boxes and drop a crappie jig, Gulp Alive Minnow, or a Trout Magnet down 4-12 feet. Jumbo perch have been showing around Goose Island. The MarDon Dock is fishing very good for crappie, bluegill and some perch. Dock fishing is only available to registered guests staying at MarDon Resort.

The Channel Catfish and bullhead is excellent right now! Fish around Goose Island and the face of the dunes. The best baits for the catfish and bullheads have been worms and Berkley Power Bait Catfish nuggets.

No change in the largemouth bass fishing – it continues to be outstanding! The fish have stacked up on the face of the dunes and are feeding on the tremendous amount of baitfish in the area. Fish the face of the dunes with Zara Spooks, hula grubs on a football head and wacky rigged Senkos and crankbaits.   The face of the dam has been producing quality smallmouth. Fish crankbaits and hula grubs rigged on a football head.

Clients of Ross Outdoor Adventures had a great day on the Potholes Reservoir with guide Shelby Ross - catching a mixed bag of walleye, perch, and crappie!

Mike Meseberg of MarDon Resort with a nice largemouth bass caught on the face of the dunes!

Vicki Wenger with a nice dock trout!





September 8, 2017

The water level is currently at 1027.40 and slowly rising!  The Reservoir will continue to rise at a current rate of approximately 1.2 inches per day. Continue to us caution when launching your boat and navigating around the dunes and Goose Island. The water temps on the main lake and back in the dunes are right around 80-degree mark.

The walleye fishing is steadily improving. With cooler weather in the forecast, this trend should continue. Successful techniques include trolling the face of the dunes over the humps between Frenchman’s Wasteway and the mouth and Crab Creek. Troll in 8-15 feet of water. Best bet – troll #5 or #7 Flicker Shads and Rapalas in perch, chartreuse, and purple colors.  Crawler Harnesses with both blades and Smile Blades have been doing well as has the Slow Death/Smile Blade Combo. Use a 1 ½ once bottom walker.

More reports of big crappie and big bluegills being are coming in of the face of the dunes! UIse your electronics to find the CWFAC fish habitat boxes, drop a marker, and back of and cast a crappie jig over the habitat boxes. The habitat boxes are easy to discern.  The MarDon Dock fishing is fishing very good for crappie, bluegill and some perch. Dock fishing is only available to registered guests staying at MarDon Resort.

The Channel Catfish and bullhead is excellent right now! Fish around Goose Island and the face of the dunes. The best baits for the catfish and bullheads have been worms and Berkley Power Bait Catfish nuggets.

No change in the largemouth bass fishing – it continues to be outstanding! The fish have stacked up on the face of the dunes and are feeding on the tremendous amount of baitfish in the area. Fish the face of the dunes with Rebel Pop-R’s, Zara Spooks, hula grubs on a football head and wacky rigged Senkos. There have been reports of big largemouth and smallmouth bass coming from the face of the dam. Throw crankbaits, tubes, and 5” Kalin’s grubs for both. 

  

Upcoming Events

 September 15-17, 2017

Marathon Dock Fishing Tournament and Potluck

September 21

Painting Party at the Beach House – come join the fun and paint your own Fall Leaf masterpiece!

Mike and Kimberley with a nice catch of walleye and two jumbo bluegills!

Artis Nelson of Kent, WA with a nice stringer of crappie up to 14 inches caught off the MarDon Dock!