MarDon Resort Fresh News – April 28, 2022

MarDon Resort Fresh News – April 28, 2022

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1042.85 feet – rising 1.10 feet over the

past week bringing us to 3.65 feet under full pool. The water temps have rebounded nicely

with the main lake surface temps reach8ng the mid-50s and the sand dines warming to the

upper-50s.

This past Saturday was the general opener for all non-year around lakes. Many anglers did

well for trout in Lower Hampton, Warden Lake, and the Pillar – Widgeon Chain. Top baits

from shore and by boat were PowerBait or worms on the bottom as well as worms under a

bobber. Others had success casting or trolling Rooster Tail spinners.

The Largemouth Bass bite has picked up back in the sand dunes because of the warming

temperatures. Top baits: ó oz black and blue jig with a craw trailer, a 3/8 oz. chatter bait, 5”

wacky rigged Senko and a white spinnerbait.

Several good catches of Smallmouth have been reported off the face of the dam – from

Goose Island to the face of the dam. Blade baits, tubes and Senkos have been the top baits

there.

Walleye remains tough on the Reservoir. A few decent reports have come in from Lind

Coulee. Fish from the island up stream above M Road. Soda Lake has been the better body

od water for walleye. Fish 30 feet with a slow death rig/ 2 oz bottom walker and crawler.

Troll at .8 to 1.0 mph.

No reports of crappie, bluegill or perch yet – still a couple of weeks out.

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

An interesting catch out of the Potholes Reservoir during the Washington Bowfishing Association's tournament this past weekend! Thinking Koi? or someone's Goldfish

 

MarDon Resort Fresh News – April 22, 2022

MarDon Resort Fresh News – April 22, 2022

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1041.75 feet – rising 1.35 feet over the

past week – finally! It looks like the surface temps on the main lake and back in the sand

dunes have bottomed out and should start rising tomorrow. Water temps on the main lake

are around the 40-degree mark and the sand dunes temps are in the mid to upper 40s.

We have experienced late and drastic weather this past week. This has made the overall

fishing on the Potholes Reservoir tough this past week for all species. Between the wind,

snow, sleet, rain, and drop in water temp it has been a tough week - and not a lot of reports

coming in. Good news – lows after tonight will be above freezing and our highs will be in the

mid-50s to mid-60s which will turn everything around. Fishing will pick up quickly for all

species withing the next 1-3 weeks

.

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

Congratulations to Jordan Doucet and Chad Eidson for winning the 43rd Annual Potholes Bass Club - Potholes Open! All had to fight cold weather and a tough bite! Awesome weight for the conditions!

 

MarDon Resort Fresh News – April 15, 2022

MarDon Resort Fresh News – April 15, 2022

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1040.40 feet – dropping .35 feet over

the past week. Surface temps on the main lake and back in the sand dunes are dropping

with colder air temps this week. Water temps on the main lake are around the 40-degree

mark and the sand dunes temps are back in the low 50s towards the back.

The cold spell we are experiencing should last about a week with highs in the mid-40s and

lows in the upper 20 -30s. There is some wind in the forecast – so check ahead of your trip.

Trout fishing has been fair this week on the Reservoir. Troll spoons – such as the Wee Gee

or Needle Fish behind 1-3 oz banana weight with a 5-foot leader. From shore – fish along

Medicare Beach with PowerBait. Upper Goose Lake, Corral, and Sod Lake have been

producing trout both from shore and by boat. Troll smaller spoons and Rooster Tails. From

Shore, cast Rooster Tails or still fish PowerBait on the bottom with a 24” leader.

Walleye fishing has been tough this week on the Potholes Reservoir. For walleye, jig a ó

oz. blade bait, Rapala Jigging Rap or Whistle Pigs in 10-40 feet of water. Some anglers are

picking up walleye slowly trolling worms/slow death rigs. Soda Lake has been producing

some decent walleye catches using the above techniques.

The largemouth bass fishing is a little tougher with the cold weather and dropping water –

but the fish will remain back in the sand dunes. The key is finding the fish. They can be

concentrated in certain spots this time of year. Top 4 baits for largemouth this time of year

continue to be a black and blue ó oz AT Jig with a craw or swimmer trailer, a 1/2 or 3/8 oz

bladed jig such as Strike King’s Thunder Cricket with a craw or swimmer trailer, a 3/8 or ó

oz white spinner bait, and a 3/8 oz swim jig in black & blue or green pumpkin with a

matching swimming trailer. Slow your presentation down a bit. Now is a great time of year to

catch big bass – even with the colder days.

No reports of perch, crappie or bluegill being caught. Still some time before they turn on.

If you plan to fish the Seep Lakes below the Reservoir – double check the regulations. The

year around lakes are obviously open, but because we no longer have the March opener,

the other Seep Lakes do not open until the fourth Saturday in April. It is also that time to

renew your fishing license – last year’s expired March 31. MarDon Resort does sell fishing

and hunting licenses in the office.

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

Congratulations to Matthew Milatz and Austin Redding for taking first place in the Mt St Helens Bassmasters Big Bass Tournament on the Potholes Reservoir last Saturday. Matthew landed the 6.78lb winning bass with less than 30 minutes left in the contest!

 

MarDon Resort Fresh News – April 8, 2022

 

MarDon Resort Fresh News – April 8, 2022

The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1040.75 feet – dropping .10 feet over

the past week. Surface temp on the main lake is in the upper 40’s with water reaching the

mid to upper 50s in places back in the sand dunes.

Not much has changed this week – but the water temps are rising. Not as many folks on the

Reservoir due high winds this past week.

Trolling has been producing some trout in front of Medicare Beach and the State Park.

Walleye fishing has been fair this week. For walleye, jig a ó oz. blade bait, Rapala Jigging

Rap or Whistle Pigs in 10-40 feet of water. Some anglers are picking up walleye trolling

worms/slow death rigs.

The largemouth bass fishing remains productive back in the sand dunes. The key is finding

the fish. They can be concentrated in certain spots this time of year. Top 4 baits for

largemouth this time of year are a black and blue ó oz AT Jig with a craw or swimmer

trailer, a 1/2 or 3/8 oz bladed jig such as Strike King’s Thunder Cricket with a craw or

swimmer trailer, a 3/8 or ó oz white spinner bait, and a 3/8 oz swim jig in black & blue or

green pumpkin with a matching swimming trailer.

No reports of perch, crappie or bluegill being caught. Still some time before they turn on.

If you plan to fish the Seep Lakes below the Reservoir – double check the regulations. The

year around lakes are obviously open, but because we no longer have the March opener,

the other Seep Lakes do not open until the fourth Saturday in April. It is also that time to

renew your fishing license – last year’s expired March 31. MarDon Resort does sell fishing

and hunting licenses in the office.

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

Tim Palmer from the Royal City area braved some high winds and managed to catch some decent largemouth bass!