MarDon Fresh News – July 25, 2019

MarDon Fresh News – July 25, 2019 

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1036.95 feet – down 1.45 feet from one week ago. The water temps in the sand dunes are in the mid 70’s to low 80’s. The water temps on the main Reservoir are in the mid to upper-70.

The sand dunes continue to be produce quality Largemouth and Smallmouth bass!  Fish the sand dunes and Crab Creek with 3/8^thoz. swim jigs, Senkos, Strike King Cutt’R worms and SPRO frogs. Some good bass are being caught on the face of the sand dunes deeper. 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 remains fair. 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 and Crab Creek 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. Now is a good time to jig or drop-shot the weed-lines as well.

The trout fishing has been fair again 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 continues to very productive this week. Use Catfish Magic Bait, Berkley Catfish Nuggets, and worms on the bottom for both. Fish up Lind Coulee, the mouth of Frenchman’s Wasteway and in the sand dunes for Channel Cats and Bullhead.

 The Crappie and Bluegill fishing has been very good up Crab Creek and along the face of the sand dunes. The fishing continues 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 & weed-lines for Crappie, Bluegill and Perch

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

Brandon Palaniuk from Hayden, ID has earned two Bassmaster Elite Series wins and has qualified for six Bassmaster Classics as well as fishing the 2019 Major League Fishing Tour enjoying a day of fishing on the Potholes Reservoir!

Wyatt Smith of Moses Lake -  with a big Potholes Reservoir Walleye - caught while chasing Largemouth bass!