MarDon Fresh News – July 3, 2020

MarDon Fresh News – July 3, 2020

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1040.45 – down 1.15 feet from last week. The Reservoir is 5.15 feet below full pool. The water temperature on the Potholes Reservoir is in the low 70s with temps reaching the mid-70s back in the sand dunes. 

Walleye fishing has been extremely good this week. Many anglers got their limits – or close to it. Although the Reservoir is dropping – there is still a lot of water back in the sand dunes. With plenty of water, weeds, and food in the dunes – the walleye don’t need to move or chase much. Troll tight to the weeds in 8-15 feet of water. As the water drops, the crankbait bite will pick up.  Look for walleye in Crab Creek, and in the sand dunes. Walleye anglers are having success trolling the weedlines using night crawlers on a slow turn hook with and without Smile Blades behind a 1-2-ounce bottom bouncer or troll a #5 or #7 Flicker Shad in perch variations.

The bass fishing picked up this past week with bigger fish showing up. More 4 plus pound fish are being caught. Fish from the front of the sand dunes all the way back to the Job Corps dike and up Crab Creek for largemouth bass. Pitch black & blue or green pumpkin jigs with a craw trailer into the willows and wood. Spinnerbaits, frogs, and Senkos, chatter baits and swim jigs are working as well.

For smallmouth bass – fish the humps in front of the sand dunes, the face of the dam, and the rock piles around Goose Island. Fish swimbaits, crankbaits, jigs, and Senkos. 

The trout fishing on the Reservoir continues to be good. Troll a #7 Flicker Shad 100 feet out the back of the boat. Chrome Clown, Slick Blue Alewife, and Flashy Perch have been producing trout in the 2-5-pound range. Troll at 2-2.5 mph. The Wicked Lures Trout Killer has been producing trout and walleye as well.

Warden Lake, upper and lower Hampton, and Corral Lake are still the top Seep Lakes for trout. Fish Powerbait or marshmallows with a worn on the bottom. Use an egg sinker to get it to the bottom and a leader long enough to float the bait above the weeds. From a boat - cast Rooster Tails or troll Dick Nite spoons and Wicked Lures Trout Killers.

Crappie and Bluegill are being caught in the sand dunes and at the mouth of Crab Creek. Fish Baby Shads, DS Frys and Trout Magnets on a 1/32^nd oz. tipped with a maggot vertically jigged or with a slip bobber.

Call the MarDon Tackle Store for the latest fishing reports and information at 509-346-2651.

Potholes Reservoir bass and walleye guide, Levi Rodello, with a beautiful Potholes Reservoir Largemouth Bass!