MarDon Fishing Report: October 2018

Saturday, October 27, 2018

MarDon Fresh News – October 26, 2018

Cool mornings and mild afternoons are making for some good fishing and comfortable days on the water. The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1029.49 feet – rising close to 10 inches this past week. The Potholes Canal gate has been closed for the season and the water will continues to rise. The water temperature on the main Reservoir is in the mid 50’s. The rising water will provide more access for duck hunters back in the sand dunes.

The walleye fishing has been fair to good depending on the day. Fish the mid-lake humps in front of the sand dunes, around the mouth of Crab Creek and the rocks off Gooses Island. Troll a Slow Death hook with a worm by itself or a Smile Blade/Slow Death rig behind a 2-ounce bottom walker around the deeper mid-lake humps in the 15-30-foot depth range. If you are marking fish but not catching them trolling, try jigging a Blade Baits.

Largemouth fishing is doing well on the face of the dunes and along the face of the dam. Some anglers are finding bigger fish in deeper water. Top baits for Largemouth include – swim baits, crank baits, Skirted Heart Throb XL’s fished on a 1/2 oz. football head and fishing a drop shot rig. Smallmouth are being caught on the rock piles off Goose Island and, Perch Point and along the face of the dam. Use crank baits, 3½” tubes, swimbaits, and drop shot DS Minnows.

The trout fishing on the Potholes Reservoir is picking up with the cooler water temperatures. Trout fishers have been catching trout trolling #5 and # 7 Flicker Shads and Shad Raps and trolling Wedding Ring/crawler rigs off Medicare Beach.

Channel Catfish and Bullheads are being caught throughout the Potholes Reservoir. Fish worms or Catfish Magic on the bottom in Lind Coulee and at the mouth of Frenchman’s Wasteway.

The crappie and bluegill fishing continue to be excellent throughout the Reservoir. Big crappies are being caught trolling #5 Flicker Shads and #5 Rapala Shad Raps along the face of the dunes, and jigging VMC Probe jigs, Wingding jigs, Trout Magnets and Gulp Minnows on the deeper humps. The MarDon Resort dock continues to hold fish. Fish Trout Magnets and Gulp Alive Minnows off the dock on a 1/64^thoz. jig head. Fishing from the MarDon Dock is reserved for registered guests only.

Call the MarDon Store for the latest fishing info and to make reservations at 509-346-2651.

Upcoming Events:

October 27 – 6:30 pm – The Beach House Halloween Party! Live Music, Costume Contest, Food and Drink Specials!

Bill Hosko from Yelm shows a 10 pound walleye he caught and released on the Potholes Reservoir!

Phil Anderson from Royal Slope with a nice Potholes Reservoir crappie. The crappie are still going strong!

Randy Rushing of Cashmere caught this 12 pound 10 ounce Channel Catfish bank fishing a night crawler on the Potholes Reservoir!

Saturday, October 20, 2018

MarDon Fresh News – October 19, 2018

Fall weather continues, and the fishing is remains good on the Potholes Reservoir. The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1029.49 feet – rising .92 feet this past week. The water temperature on the main Reservoir is in the mid 50’s. The rising water will provide more access for duck hunters back in the sand dunes.

The walleye fishing remains consistent this week with limits being reported. Fish the mid-lake humps in front of the sand dunes, around the mouth of Crab Creek and the rocks off Gooses Island. Troll a Slow Death hook with a worm by itself or a Smile Blade/Slow Death rig behind a 2-ounce bottom walker around the deeper mid-lake humps in the 15-30-foot depth range. If you are marking fish but not catching them trolling, try jigging a Blade Baits.

Largemouth and Smallmouth are doing well along the face of the dunes, and along the face of the dam. Some anglers are finding bigger fish in the 15-25-foot range. Top baits for Largemouth include – swim baits, crank baits, Skirted Heart Throb XL’s fished on a 1/2 oz. football head and fishing a drop shot rig. Smallmouth are being caught on the rock piles off Goose Island and along the face of the dam as well as around the face of the dunes. Use crank baits, 3½” tubes, swimbaits, and DS Minnows.

The crappie fishing continues to be good throughout the Reservoir. Big crappies are being caught trolling #5 Flicker Shads and #5 Rapala Shad Raps along the face of the dunes, and jigging VMC Probe jigs, Wingding jigs, Trout Magnets and Gulp Minnows on the deeper humps. The MarDon Resort dock continues to hold fish. Fish Trout Magnets and Gulp Alive Minnows off the dock on a 1/64^thoz. jig head. Fishing from the MarDon Dock is reserved for registered guests only.

Call the MarDon Store for the latest fishing info and to make reservations at 509-346-2651.

Mike Meseberg of MarDon Resort with a nice Potholes Reservoir walleye caught in 23 feet of water on a Fisher Brothers walleye rig.

Outstanding crappie fishing continues on the Potholes Reservoir

Mike Reichner of Sequim shows a sample of some nice perch and big bluegill he caught on the Potholes Reservoir several days ago.

Friday, October 12, 2018

MarDon Fresh News – October 12, 2018

The fall temperatures are here, and the fishing is good on the Potholes Reservoir as the fish are fattening up for the winter! The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1028.57 feet – rising 1.03 feet this past week. The water temperature on the main Reservoir is in the mid 50’s. The rising water will provide more access for duck hunters back in the sand dunes. The duck season opener is this Saturday, October 13.

The walleye fishing remains consistent this week with limits being reported. Fish the humps in front of the sand dunes and around the mouth of Crab Creek and the rocks off Gooses Island. Troll a Slow Death hook with a worm by itself or a Smile Blade/Slow Death rig behind a 2-ounce bottom walker around the deeper mid-lake humps in the 15-25-foot depth range. If you are marking fish but not catching them trolling, try jigging a Blade Baits.

Largemouth and Smallmouth are doing well along the face of the dunes, and along the face of the dam. Some anglers are finding bigger fish in the 15-25-foot range. Top baits for Largemouth include – swim baits, spinnerbaits, crank baits, Skirted Heart Throb XL’s fished on a 1/2 oz. football head and fishing a drop shot rig. Smallmouth are being caught on the rock piles off Goose Island and along the face of the dam as well as around the face of the dunes. Use Flicker Shads, 3½” tubes, swimbaits, drop shot baits and Senkos for the Smallmouth.

Call the MarDon Store for the latest fishing info and to make reservations at 509-346-2651.

Mike Jones fished for 45 minutes to catch a nice batch of Potholes Reservoir crappie!

Debbie Daniels caught this big bluegill trolling a Flicker Shad on the face of the sand dunes!

Saturday, October 6, 2018

MarDon Fresh News – October 5, 2018

Fall is here, and fishing is good for all species in the Potholes Reservoir! The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1027.54 feet – dropping .04 feet this past week. The water temperature on the main Reservoir is 59 degrees. The water level should remain between 1027 and 1028 feet until they close the gates on October 22, 2018. It will begin to rise quickly after that.

The walleye fishing is becoming more consistent as the water cools. Fish the humps in front of the sand dunes and around the mouth of Crab Creek and the rocks off Gooses Island. Troll a Slow Death hook with a worm by itself or a Smile Blade/Slow Death rig behind a 2-ounce bottom walker around the deeper mid-lake humps in the 15-25-foot depth range. Bring lots of worms as many incidental catches of bluegill, crappie, bullhead and bass are being reported. Blade Baits are beginning to take fish as well.

Largemouth and Smallmouth are doing well along the face of the dunes, and along the face of the dam. Some anglers are finding bigger fish in the 15-20-foot range. Top baits for Largemouth include – swim baits, spinnerbaits, crank baits, Wacky Rigged Senkos and Skirted Heart Throb XL’s fished on a 1/2 oz. football head and fishing a drop shot rig. Smallmouth are being caught on the rock piles off Goose Island and along the face of the dam as well as around the face of the dunes. Use Flicker Shads, 3½” tubes, swimbaits, drop shot baits and Senkos for the Smallmouth.

The crappie fishing continues to be good throughout the Reservoir. Big crappies are being caught trolling #5 Flicker Shads and #5 Rapala Shad Raps along the face of the dunes, and jigging VMC Probe jigs and Wingding jigs on the deeper humps. The MarDon Resort dock continues to hold fish. Fish Trout Magnets and Gulp Alive Minnows off the dock on a 1/64^thoz. jig head. Big bluegills are being caught around the mouth of Crab Creek and along the face of the dunes. A few perch are being caught off the dock and around Goose Island and the mouth of Crab Creek. Fishing from the MarDon Dock is reserved for registered guests only.

If you are a bird watcher – now is a great time to see the lesser Sandhill Cranes on their migration from Alaska back to California for the winter. Look to the skies early in the morning as they fly to the fields to feed and again in the evening returning to roost in the sand dunes. Take a drive around the fields between the Potholes Reservoir and Othello to spot them feeding.

Call the MarDon Store for the latest fishing info and to make reservations at 509-346-2651.

Clayton Breckenridge and his father Bart from Battleground, WA caught some nice crappie, perch, walleye and bass on their annual fall trip to the Potholes Reservoir!