MarDon Fishing Report: August 2019

Friday, August 23, 2019

MarDon Fresh News – August 23, 2019

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1032.01 feet – down 1.33 feet from one week ago. The Reservoir is 2.91 feet higher than it was this day last year. The water temps in the sand dunes and on the main Reservoir are in the upper 70s to low 80s.

The bass fishing is outstanding! With the water level up almost three feet higher to the day compared to last year – bass anglers have the opportunity to fish spots back in the sand dunes that would not be accessible in a normal year. That said – the water is dropping – pulling baitfish and the bass to the face of the dunes and onto the habitat boxes and humps. This combination offers excellent bass fishing opportunities across a lot of real estate. Fish the sand dunes and Crab Creek with 3/8th oz. swim jigs, Senkos, Strike King KVD 2.5 Square Bill crankbaits, and SPRO frogs. As the water continues to drop – the outer dunes and the face of the dunes will continue to improve. Reports of bigger bass are coming in - being caught on the face of the sand dunes in 15-25 feet of water. The Smallmouth bass are being found on the face of the dam and on the rock piles around Goose Island – as well as in the sand dunes. Fish Booyah finesse jigs, Wacky Rigged Senkos, Crankbaits, Tubes and DS Minnows for the Smallmouth.

The walleye fishing is slowly improving as the water drops. Like the bass fishing – as the water drops – both baitfish and the walleye will move out of the dunes to the face and onto the humps. This provides walleye anglers with a better opportunity to connect and a more weed-free path to troll crankbaits. Fish the West Arm and Crab Creek in 6-20 feet of water. Troll the channels and weed lines in the sand dunes 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. 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. If the fish are not there – move to the face of the sand dunes using the same techniques.

No reports on trout fishing this week. If you do want to catch some nice Rainbows your best bet would be to 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 2.5 -3.0 mph. Set the drag light as the average trout is 2-5 pounds and can break the line on the initial strike.

The Channel Cat and Bullhead fishing remains to be extremely 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.

Big Bluegill and big crappie are being caught on the face of the dunes and in the mouth of Crab Creek. Several reports of good crappie fishing in Lind Coulee have come in as well. Troll #5 Flicker Shads or locate schools, or use your electronics to find the schools and drop Bobby Garland Baby Shads and Trout Magnets to the fish. Perch are being caught in the mouth of Crab Creek and on the humps in front of the exposed dunes.

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

Upcoming Events:

August 24th - Lake Poker Run - All day event – challenging game competition with payout. Food will be provided for the event. Call MarDon Resort for sign- up information.

August 31-Sept 2 - Labor Day Weekend

September 1st - Karaoke with Paul Carlson at the Beach House!

MarDon Resort Yard Sale - Saturday - Sept. 2nd – Awesome deals on awesome stuff!

September 13-15 - Marathon Dock Fishing Tournament and Potluck

Annual guest of MarDon Resort - Collin Posner and family from Gold Bar caught a mixed bag this weekend of catfish, perch and this big 29" walleye weighing 9.0 pounds caught trolling a #5 Perch Rapala!

Jackson Purcell of Moses Lake with a 10" Bluegill caught on the Potholes Reservoir - lots of big Bluegill out there this year!

Friday, August 16, 2019

MarDon Fresh News – August 16, 2019

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1033.34 feet – down .66 feet from one week ago. The Reservoir is 3.05 feet higher than it was this day last year. The water temps the sand dunes are in the mid 80’s. The water temps on the main Reservoir are in the low 80’s. in

The bass fishing remains extremely good! Fish the sand dunes and Crab Creek with 3/8th oz. swim jigs, Senkos, Strike King KVD 2.5 Square Bill crankbaits, and SPRO frogs. As the water continues to drop – the outer dunes and the face of the dunes will continue to improve. Reports of bigger bass are coming in - being caught on the face of the sand dunes in 15-25 feet of water. The Smallmouth bass are being found on the face of the dam and on the rock piles around Goose Island – as well as in the sand dunes. Fish Booyah finesse jigs, Wacky Rigged Senkos, Crankbaits, Tubes and DS Minnows for the Smallmouth.

The walleye fishing continues to be fair to tough – with a slight improvement in numbers caught. The water level is now 3.05’ feet higher than it was this time last year. This provides plenty of water, weeds and feed back in the dunes. The walleye do not need to move out of the weed beds to eat. Run as close to the weeds as you can with either #5 Flicker Shads or Rapala Shad Raps. 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. 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.

Best bet for trout is to 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 2.5 -3.0 mph. Set the drag light as the average trout is 2-5 pounds and can break the line on the initial strike.

The Crappie and Bluegill fishing continues to improve as the water level drops. Fish the mouth of Crab Creek, the face of the dunes, the channels in the dunes and up the Lind Coulee. Fish - Gulp Alive minnows, Trout Magnets, #5 Flicker Shads and Bobby Garland Baby Shads around the willows & weed-lines for Crappie, Bluegill. We have had a surprising uptick in reports of perch being caught – both quantity and quality. Most are caught by walleye anglers who locate them by trolling, then anchor up and fish worms.

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

Upcoming Events:

August 24th - Lake Poker Run - All day event – challenging game competition with payout. Food will be provided for the event

Mark Mrzena of the Puyallup Hawg Hunters Bass Club with a 7.05 pound Potholes Reservoir Largemouth!

MarDon Resort owner Mike Meseberg with a beautiful Potholes Reservoir Walleye caught on a Berkley War Pig!

Friday, August 9, 2019

MarDon Fresh News – August 9, 2019

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1034.00 feet – down 1.41 feet from one week ago. The Reservoir is 2.50 feet higher this year than it was this day last year – which is affecting the walleye fishing – see below. We still have about 7.50 feet to drop – if we make it to low pool this year. The water temps in the sand dunes are in the mid to upper 80’s. The water temps on the main Reservoir are in the low 80’s.

Not much has changed this week as far as the bass fishing is concerned – it remains extremely good! Fish the sand dunes and Crab Creek – look for current - with 3/8^thoz. swim jigs, Senkos, Strike King KVD 2.5 Square Bill crankbaits, and SPRO frogs. Reports of bigger bass are coming in - being caught on the face of the sand dunes in 15-25 feet of water. The Smallmouth bass are being found on the face of the dam and on the rock piles around Goose Island – as well as in the sand dunes. Fish Booyah finesse jigs, Wacky Rigged Senkos, Crankbaits, Tubes and DS Minnows for the Smallmouth.

The walleye fishing remains fair to tough – with a slight improvement in numbers caught. The water level is now 2.50’ feet higher than it was this time last year. This provides plenty of water, weeds and feed back in the dunes. The walleye do not need to move out of the weed beds to eat – or chase our baits! Run 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. 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.

Not many folks fishing for trout this past week. Best bet is to 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 2.5 -3.0 mph. Set the drag 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 extremely 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.

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

Upcoming Events:

August 15^thLive Music - Paul Sweeney

August 24th - Lake Poker Run - All day event – challenging game competition with payout. Food will be provided for the event

Terri Lynn Kassik Snider and her Neice-in-law, Alicia Kassik of MarDon Resort had a great day of fishing on the Potholes Reservoir catching a mixed bag of Walleye, Bluegill, Bass, Crappie, Bullhead and Trout!

Friday, August 2, 2019

MarDon Fresh News – August 1, 2019

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1035.41 feet – down 1.54 feet from one week ago. The water temps in the sand dunes are in the 80’s. The water temps on the main Reservoir are in the mid to upper-70s.

The bass fishing continues to be good back in the sand dunes and around Crab Creek. Fish the sand dunes and Crab Creek with 3/8^thoz. swim jigs, Senkos, Strike King KVD 2.5 Square Bill crankbaits, and SPRO frogs. Some good bass are being caught on the face of the sand dunes in 15-25 feet of water. The Smallmouth bass are being found on the face of the dam and on the rock piles around Goose Island – as well as in the sand dunes. Fish Booyah finesse jigs, Wacky Rigged Senkos, Crankbaits, Tubes and DS Minnows for the Smallmouth.

The walleye fishing remains fair to tough. The water level is three feet higher than it was this time last year. This provides plenty of water, weeds and feed back in the dunes. The walleye don’t need to move out of the weed beds to eat. There are a fair amount of walleye being caught by bass anglers. Run 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. 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.

Not many folks fishing for trout this past week. Best bet is to 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 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. We have had a surprising uptick in reports of perch being caught – both quantity and quality. Most are caught by walleye anglers who locate them by trolling, then anchor up and fish worms.

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

Upcoming Events:

August 3^rd- Live Music - Stoney River Band

August 8^thPaint Night at the Beach House

August 15^thLive Music - Paul Sweeney

August 24th - Lake Poker Run - All day event – challenging game competition with payout. Food will be provided for the event

Evan Quillen with two jumbo Perch caught from the Potholes Reservoir. The perch population is coming back to the Reservoir both in quantity and quality!

Mason Channel Cat Meseberg, Johnny Catfish Purcell and his brother Catfish Jaxson Purcell show off a portion of their 100-plus pound catch of Channel Catfish and Bullheads caught while night fishing back in the Sand Dunes!