MarDon Fresh News – September 27, 2019

MarDon Fresh News – September 27, 2019

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1030.84 feet – up 0.40 feet from one week ago. The water level is slowly creeping up – rising 1.07 feet over the past 17 days. The water temp continues to cool. The water temp in the sand dunes and on the main Reservoir is in the mid-60s. With the water level where it is -continue to use use extreme caution while boating between Goose Island and the face of the dam and the face of the sand dunes!

Now is the time to fish the Potholes Reservoir if you want to catch a mixed bag! The fishing for most all species in the Reservoir is from good to outstanding as the fish react to the changing of the season.

The bass fishing is extremely good now. The water level is pulling the bait and the fish from the sand dunes to the face of the dunes. Fish the face of the sand dunes with a ½ oz. football head jig coupled with a hula grub, Senkos, Strike King KVD 5XD crankbaits, and Zara Spooks. Fish from 2 to 20 feet. The Smallmouth bass are being found on the face of the dam and on the rock piles around Goose Island – as well as on the face of the sand dunes. Fish Booyah finesse jigs, Wacky Rigged Senkos, Crankbaits, Tubes and DS Minnows for the Smallmouth.

 The walleye fishing has improved over last week and is now at fair to good. The dropping water temps, cooler nights, and low water are putting the walleye into a positive feeding mode. Fish the face of the sand dunes in front of the West Arm and Crab Creek in 5-20 feet of water. Start by trolling a #5 or a #7 Flicker Shad at 1.5-2.0 miles per hour on a long line. If this does not produce – switch to trolling 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. From now thru November – have a ½ oz. blade bait tied on to jig the 10-20-foot depth range.

For trout - fish Medicare Beach to the Mouth of Crab Creek and in front of the State Park. Troll Gibbs Wee G Spoons, Wicked Lures Trout Killers, Needlefish spoons, #7 Flicker Shads and Shad Raps at 2.5 -3.0 mph.  Use leaded line with 3-colors out or troll with a 2 oz. banana sinker. 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 is still very good. 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 continue to be caught on the face of the dunes and in the mouth of Crab Creek.  Troll #5 Flicker Shads to locate schools or use your electronics to find the schools and then anchor up 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.

Robin Beekman Johnson and Dave Moorehouse fished with Potholes Reservoir guide Nathan Lafrance for a nice catch of walleye and bluegill!