MarDon Resort Fresh News – September 24th, 2025
The leaves are changing, nights are cooling, and grass is covered with morning dew.
What do these signs mean to an angler? These signs mean that the fall bite is ramping
up. For many of us the fall season is the best time to fish Potholes Reservoir. The water
temps dropping below 70 degrees is the signal for the fish that winter is approaching
and to start to feed heavily & with the low water fish are easy to locate.
Walleye – Pick your favorite technique. Anglers have been producing good numbers of
Walleye while trolling crankbaits, bottom bouncing worm harnesses, and throwing jigs
like Blade baits or jigging raps. Anglers are finding these walleye on the deep humps on
the face of the dunes to the mouth of crab creek and along the rock flats on the east
side of Goose Island. Also, this is the time of year the riprap along the dam starts to
produce large walleye on jerkbaits.
Perch – The Perch are back! Anglers have been catching great numbers of big Yellow
Perch ranging from 12 to 16 inches in the reservoir. Most of these perch are being
caught while bottom bouncing worm harnesses around the mouth of crab creek and the
humps to the north of crab creek.
Bluegill & Crappie – Anglers are reporting that the schools are starting to disperse, and
the bite has slowed. Anglers are still getting limits, but they are having to hunt for the
schools a little bit more. Anglers are finding most success around Habitat boxes in 10 to
15 ft of water.
Bass – As the water cools the bass bite heats up! Anglers are having great days
catching both smallmouth and largemouth bass. Anglers are reporting finding bass in 1
to 35 feet of water. Ned rigs, 4-inch Senkos, drop shot rigs, blade baits, crankbaits and
tubes have been excellent along the dam, around goose island, and along Medicare
beach for Smallmouth. For Largemouth top water has continued to be good in the
morning and evenings. Squarebill crankbaits, Chatter baits, Spinner baits and lipless
crankbaits have been producing good reactive bites. And you can’t go wrong throwing
the ol’ faithful baits ie: tubes, hula grubs, and Texas rigged Senkos.
The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1025.91 feet – Rising 0.41 feet this
past week. Water temperatures range from 67 to 72 degrees depending on where you
are on the Reservoir. As always for more info or help choosing tackle, stop into our fully
stocked tackle shop. We also carry ammo, boating and hunting accessories and are
open 7 days a week all year or call the MarDon Resort Tackle store for current
conditions and fishing information at 509-346-2651
