MarDon Fresh News – November 3, 2017

The water level is rising, and the water temperature is falling on the Potholes Reservoir. The current water level is 1034.50 – two feet higher than this time last week. The water temperature is 50-52 degrees.

The walleye fishing has been decent with several limits coming in. The mouth of Crab Creek and the mid lake humps off of Goose Island have been the most productive spots. The walleye have moved a bit deeper and are now concentrated in the 20-30 foot depth range. Troll a Slow Death hook, with or without a Smile Blade and half a crawler behind a 2-oz. bottom walker. Silver ½ oz. blade baits are doing well for walleye and bass as well.

Crappie fishing continues to be very good both from the MarDon Dock and out on the main lake. Fish the humps off the face of the dunes in 15-20 feet of water. Drop shot a 1-1/2”-2.0” Gulp Minnow, or nose hook it on a 1/32^nd or 1/16^th oz. jig head. The MarDon dock is producing limits of crappie to 12 inches.

Bass fishing for both Largemouth and Smallmouth has been 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, drop shot baits, and 5” grubs on a 3/8 oz. jig head. The face of the dam has been producing quality Smallmouth bass.

The trout fishing is picking up on the Reservoir. Troll Flicker Shads for both trout and walleye. Fish the seep lake with Rooster Tails and Power Bait floated off the bottom. Medicare Beach has been the top spot for trout this past week.  Top lakes for trout have been Soda Lake and Long Lake.

Duck hunters have been bringing in limits of local birds. Some mallards are starting to show and with the colder weather in the forecast, the birds should be moving in soon.

Russ Anderson shows a 7lb Largemouth bass he caught off the MarDon Dock.

Russ released this lunker after the pic!

Barb Brady, Deena Viezke and their husbands Steve and Dale caught a nice stringer of walleye off the face of the dunes and around Goose Island. Blade Baits were the ticket!

A nice crappie caught off the face of the sand dunes!

Jackie Oakland caught these nice rainbow trout fishing on Medicare Beach from her lawn chair. She only fished for an hour and a half!