MarDon Fresh News – October 20, 2017

Fall fishing is going strong on the Potholes Reservoir!  The cooler water temps have had a dramatically positive affect on all species - especially the walleye, crappie and bluegill! With the water temps in the mid 50’s, the fish are active and eating. It is a time when a wide variety of baits and techniques will on all species.  The Potholes Reservoir water level is currently at 1031.05 and will begin to rise at a faster rate. They will begin dumping Moses Lake on November 1^st.

The walleye fishing has been very good with limits being reported. The face of the dunes, mid lake humps and Lind Coulee continue to be the most productive spots. The walleye are at varying depths form 6 to 30 feet. Troll either a Slow Death hook, with or without a Smile Blade and half a crawler or a #7 Flicker Shad or a Rapala Shad Rap. Blade Baits are accounting for more fish as the water cools.

Crappie, perch and bluegill fishing continues to be outstanding both from the MarDon Dock and out on the main lake. Find the mid-lake humps and fish the tops and sides of them in 10-30 feet of water. The mouth of Crab Creek, around Goose Island, and Lind Coulee are producing panfish. Fish a 1-1/2”-2.0” Gulp Minnow on a 1/32^nd or 1/16^th oz. jig head.  The MarDon Dock is fishing very good for keeper crappie. Dock fishing is only available to registered guests staying at MarDon Resort.

Not much has changed on the bass fishing front this week. Bass fishing for both Largemouth and Smallmouth has been extremely good across the Reservoir. Top spots have been the face of the dam, Goose Island, and the face of the dunes. Fish football heads and hula grubs, crankbaits, Senkos, tubes and 3-5” grubs on a 3/8 oz. jig head.

The trout fishing is starting to pick up both on the Reservoir and in the Seep Lakes. Troll the Reservoir with Flicker Shads for both trout and walleye. Fish the seep lake with Rooster Tails and Power Bait floated off the bottom. Top lakes for trout have been Soda Lake and Long Lake. Check the regulation to be sure the lake you are planning on fishing is still in open season.

Many duck hunters had a successful opening day with mixed bags of mallards, pintail, widgeon, gadwall, and teal.

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!

 David McSherry of MarDon Resort shows a nice 24 1/2" Potholes Reservoir walleye!

The David Mason Party with a nice opening weekend mixed bag of Mallards, Pintail, Widgeon, and Gadwall!

MarDon Fresh News – October 13, 2017 

Fall fishing has arrived on the Potholes Reservoir!  The cooler water temps have had a dramatically positive affect on all species - especially the walleye, crappie and bluegill! With the water temps in the upper 50’s, the fish are active and eating. Now is a great time to get out and fish for any species in the lake!  The Potholes Reservoir water level is currently at 1030.70 feet and should remain near this level until the last week in October.  

The walleye fishing has been steady this past week with fish up to 13.70 pounds being reported. The face of the dunes, mid lake humps and Lind Coulee have been the most productive spots. The walleye are at varying depths form 6 to 30 feet. Troll either a Slow Death hook, with or without a Smile Blade and half a crawler or a #7 Flicker Shad or a Rapala Shad Rap. Now is the time to start blade baiting for walleye as well.

Crappie, perch and bluegill fishing is going strong on the Reservoir. Find the mid-lake humps and fish the tops and sides of them in 10-30 feet of water. The mouth of Crab Creek, Goose Island, and Lind Coulee are producing panfish as well. Fish a 1-1/2”-2.0” Gulp Minnow on a 1/32^nd or 1/16^th oz. jig head.  The MarDon Dock is fishing very good for keeper crappie with several fishermen limiting yesterday. Dock fishing is only available to registered guests staying at MarDon Resort.

Bass fishing for both Largemouth and Smallmouth has been extremely good across the Reservoir. Top spots have been the face of the dam, Goose Island, Lind Coulee and the face of the dunes. Fish football heads and hula grubs, crankbaits, Senkos, tubes and 3-5” grubs on a 3/8 oz. jig head. Topwater baits – Zara Spooks and Whopper Ploppers - are working early morning and in the evening.  

The trout fishing is starting to pick up both on the Reservoir and in the Seep Lakes. Troll the Reservoir with Flicker Shads for both trout and walleye. Fish the seep lake with Rooster Tails and Power Bait floated off the bottom. Top lakes for trout have been Lower Hampton, Upper Goose, and Long Lake.

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!

Orville Jutte of Tenino, WA having a blast catching a nice stringer of crappie off the MarDon dock!

Mike and Roz Reichner of Sequim, WA show a beautiful Fall Reservoir walleye!

MarDon Fresh News – October 6, 2017

The fishing has been good for all species this week on the Potholes Reservoir. The Potholes Reservoir water level is currently at 1030.20 and should remain near this level until the last week in October.  As the water rises, the rock piles around Goose Island become less visible – be careful navigating! The water temps on the main lake and back in the dunes are in the low-60’s in the morning warming to the mid 60’s by evening.

The walleye fishing has been steady this past week. The face of the dunes, mid lake humps and Lind Coulee have been the most productive spots. The walleye are at varying depths form 12 to 30 feet. Troll either a Slow Death hook, with or without a Smile Blade, and half a crawler or a #7 Flicker Shad. Several reports of good catches of walleye caught on blade baits have come in as well.

Crappie, perch and bluegill fishing is going strong on the Reservoir. Find the mid-lake humps and fish the tops and sides of them in 7-20 feet of water. The mouth of Crab Creek, Goose Island, and Lind Coulee are producing panfish as well. Fish a 1-1/2”-2.0” Gulp Minnow on a 1/32^nd or 1/16^th oz. jig head.  The MarDon Dock is fishing very good for keeper crappie. Dock fishing is only available to registered guests staying at MarDon Resort.

Bass fishing for both Largemouth and Smallmouth has been very good across the Reservoir. Top spots have been the face of the dam, Goose Island, Lind Coulee and the face of the dunes. Fish football heads and hula grubs, crankbaits, Senkos, tubes and 3-5” grubs on a 3/8 oz. jig head. 

Topwater baits – Zara Spooks and Whopper Ploppers - are working early morning and in the evening.  

The trout fishing is starting to pick up both on the Reservoir and in the Seep Lakes. Troll the Reservoir with Flicker Shads for both trout and walleye. Fish the seep lake with Rooster Tails and Power Bait floated off the bottom. Top lakes for trout have been Lower Hampton, Upper Goose, and Long Lake.

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!

 A mixed bag of walleye, perch and bluegill!

A 6.6 pound Largemouth bass caught on the face of the dam!