MarDon Fresh News – July 19, 2019

MarDon Fresh News – July 19, 2019 

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1038.40 feet – down 1.26 feet from last week. The water temps in the sand dunes are in the mid - 70’s to upper 70’s. The water temps on the main Reservoir are in the mid to upper-70 as well.

The sand dunes continue to be very consistent for Largemouth bass!  Fish the sand dunes and Crab Creek with 3/8^thoz. swim jigs, Senkos, Strike King Cutt’R worms and Spro  frogs. The Smallmouth bass are being found on the face of the dam and on the rock piles around Goose Island.  Fish Booyah finesse jigs, Wacky Rigged Senkos, Crankbaits, Tubes and DS Minnows for the Smallmouth.

 The walleye fishing has continues to be a bit tough. The walleye have spread out and are still in and around the weed beds. Keep at least one rod as close to the weeds as you can – even if it means cleaning weeds off here and there. Fish the West Arm, Crab Creek and the Lind Coulee in 6-20 feet of water. Troll the channels and weed lines with a Slow Death Hook and a 2 oz. bottom walker and ½ a crawler in 8-15 feet. Troll from .8-1.2 miles per hour. The crankbait bite is picking up as the water is dropping over a foot per week. Troll a #5 Flicker Shad or Rapala Shad Rap in the channels and next to the weed beds at 1.5 – 2.5 miles per hour.

The trout fishing continues to be fair this week. Fish in front of Medicare Beach to the Mouth of Crab Creek and in front of the State Park. Troll Wicked Lures Trout Killers, Needlefish spoons, #7 Flicker Shads and Shad Raps at 2.0-3.0 mph. Set the drag fairly light as the average trout is 2-5 pounds and can break the line on the initial strike.

The Channel Cat and Bullhead fishing has been very good this week! Fish the sand dunes with Catfish Magic Bait, Berkley Catfish Nuggets, and worms on the bottom. Fish in up Lind Coulee, the mouth of Frenchman’s Wasteway and in the sand dunes for Channel Cats and Bullhead.

 Crappie and Bluegill fishing continues to pick up back in the sand dunes and up in Lind Coulee.   It will continue to improve as the water drops – setting up some amazing panfish fishing in August and September. Fish Gulp alive minnows, Trout Magnets, #5 Flicker Shads and Bobby Garland Baby Shads around the willows for panfish. 

Call the MarDon Tackle Store for the latest fishing info at 509-346-2651.

MarDon Resort shop-keep and walleye guide, Nathan Lafrance, shows of a nice stringer of walleye, perch, bluegill and a 15 1/2" crappie after a good day on the Potholes Reservoir! 

Mason Meseberg with one of many healthy smallmouth bass caught while fishing the Potholes Reservoir with his dad, Levi, and grandfather, Mike!