MarDon Fresh News – August 20, 2021

MarDon Fresh News – August 20, 2021

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is at 1027.83 – dropping 0.4 feet since Tuesday of last week. The water temperature on the main lake is in the mid 70’s The water back in the sand dunes is warming to the upper 70s. Be very careful while boating in and around the sand dunes and between Goose Island and the face of the sand dunes.

There are many hazards – both rock and sand only inches under the water and very difficult to see. The water level is close to low pool so the rate of fall per week is slowing dramatically. This combined with a week of much cooler weather forecast should improve the fishing.

Trout fishing – fair this week. Troll a #5 or #7 Flicker Shad, or Wedding Rings with worms in front of the Potholes State Park, the face of the sand dunes, and at the mouth of Lind Coulee to Perch Point. Troll in 10 - 30 feet of water. From shore fish Medicare Beach with Berkley PowerBait or marshmallows and worms. The trout are feeding on the vast quantities of this year’s fry.

Walleye: The Walleye bite has improved a bit this week. The cooling temperatures and more consistent water levels will make the walleye fishing more consistent. Troll a #7 or #5 Flicker Shad Flicker Shad on the face of the dunes over the humps in 10-15 or troll a Slow Death/Smile Blade/crawler rig with a 2 oz. bottom walker in 10-30 feet depth at .8 -1.0 mph. Fish the humps on the face of the dunes and the rocks around Goose Island.

Smallmouth Bass: The Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair this week. Fish for Smallmouth bass along the face of the dam and the rocky area between Goose Island and the dam and the face of the sand dunes. Use a 4” wacky rigged Senko, Missile Baits Ned Bomb, Skirted Heart Throb XL and #7 Rapala shad Raps in 4-25 feet of water depending on the time of day or night.

Largemouth Bass: Bass fishing is good. More largemouth are moving to the 15–20-foot mark as the water drops ad the temps remain high. Start out throwing Zara Spooks then switch to a Strike King 6XD crankbait, a Skirted Hearthrob XL on a ó oz. football head, or a Chatterbait when topwater bite slows. Spinnerbaits will produce on windy days. Now is the time to tie on a Zara Spook – fish it through October!

Panfish: Good on the face of the sand dunes. Big crappie, bluegill, and perch are being caught on the face of the sand dunes and around the Mouth of Crab Creek. Troll a #5 Flicker Shad or use electronics to mark the fish and vertically jig or use a slip bobber with a 1/32 oz head and a Baby Shad or DS Fry. Also throw small Mepp’s spinners or Rooster tails through the schools.

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

A young angler caught this nice Potholes Reservoir largemouth bass while on a guided trip with his father!