MarDon Fresh News – May 10, 2019

MarDon Fresh News – May 10, 2019 

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1044.46-feet – up slightly from last week. The water should continue to rise for the next several weeks to reach full pool of 1046.5 feet. The water temps back in the sand dunes are running in the mid-60’s. The water temps on the main Reservoir are in the upper 50’s to low 60’s.

The 2019 Rod Meseberg Spring Walleye Classic is in the books! 324 Walleye were caught and released healthy. The average fish at the scales weighed 2.49 pounds up from 2.25 in 2018. We paid out $15,220 in prize money to the anglers. Big Fish Day 1 weighed 5.88 pounds and Big Fish caught Day 2 weighed in at 8.42 pounds caught by Allan Buchan and Ron Smith. Tournament winners were Scott Spalding and Chris Schamer with 41.02 pounds for a two-day -12 fish bag. Nice!! Thank you to the 92 fishers. And thanks to Conrath Marine in Spokane for being our major sponsor, The Beach House for cooking our kick-off dinner and Bill Gilman of Sportsman’s Bait for extra Big Fish money. Last of all, thanks to Sam at Potholes General Store for the cookies...the fishers loved them. THIS IS A CWFAC FISH HABITAT FUNDRAISER. This event raised approximately $3,450 for the ongoing habitat restoration project on the Potholes Reservoir. Thank you to all involved!

The Largemouth and Smallmouth are beginning their spawning cycle. Most should bedded up by the next full moon which will occur on May 18^th. Fish the sand dunes with ½ oz jigs and craw trailers, Swim Jigs, Chatter Baits, Punch Rigs and chartreuse Spinnerbaits. The water is clearing up in the Reservoir – creating sight fishing a viable option. Throw a Wacky Rigged Senko or Berkley General to bedded fish. Fish in 1-10 feet of water along willow lines. There are Smallmouth back in the sand dunes and around the rocks around Goose Island. Fish Finesse jigs, Wacky Rigged Senkos, Crankbaits, and Swimbaits for the Smallmouth.

Walleye fishing has spotty this week. The walleye have about wrapped up their spawning cycle. Many have moved out of their spawning areas and have moved into the sand dunes to recover from the spawn and begin feeding. Fish the dunes with a swim jig or swimbait along the weedlines in 2-6 feet – or fish the channels with Smile Blades/Super Death Hooks/2 oz bottom walker and ½ a crawler in 8-15 feet. Troll from .8-1.2 miles per hour. The crankbait bite should begin soon.

Trout are being caught off Medicare Beach both from shore and by boat. Bank fisherman are using Power Bait, worms and marshmallows, a 12-18” leader, and a 1/8-1/4 oz. egg sinker above the swivel. Boat anglers are trolling Needlefish spoons, #7 Flicker Shads and shallow running Rapalas. Trout fishing in the Seep Lake has been very good this past week. Top Lakes have been the Hamptons, Warden Lake, Corral Lake and the Widgeon – Pillar Chain. Top Baits have been Worms and marshmallows, Berkley Powerbait, Rooster Tails, and Berkley Mouse Tails.

No reports on Perch, Crappie or Bluegill yet off the MarDon dock. There are some Bluegill and Crappie being caught in the sand dunes. We only need a week or two of the good weather to get the panfish going.

The fishing is improving daily - call the MarDon Tackle Store for the latest fishing info at 509-346-2651.

Left to right - Winners of the 2019 Rod Meseberg Spring Walleye Classic - Chris Schamer & don Scott Spalding with a $3,970 Check for their winning effort, Dan Conrath of Spokane Valley Marine - major sponsor of the Classic, Mike and Marilyn Meseberg - owners of MarDon Resort and founders of the Central Washington Fish Advisory Committee.

Tye Mertis of Moses Lake with two nice Walleye caught and released during the Rod Meseberg Spring Walleye Classic!