walleye fishing potholes reservoir

Potholes Reservoir Potholes Reservoir is located about seven miles south of the City of Moses Lake. . Next morning, the sun was shining bright, not a cloud in the sky. We got on the lake at about 10:00 AM, and the waves seemed big for our boat. My answer is this, pre-spawn you chase trophy fish and catch 15-20 eater sized walleye with your group of 3 to 4 anglers, post spawn through the summer months we can expect more numbers and fewer big fish. if (document.body.clientWidth <= 870) { While popular in their native waters, whitefish get less respect here in the Northwest, and they dont draw a ton of attention at Potholes Reservoir, even compared to other regional lakes like Banks Lake and Billy Clapp Lake, where populations are higher and targeting them is more popular. In 2008, my son won the Le Tournoi de Peche fishing tournament sponsored by the FPQ. We get asked the question a lot, when is the best time of the year to fish. For many years March 1st was the unofficial start of the trout fishing season in Central Washington. Ontario is the top destination in Canada for Walleye fishing and very few anglers will disagree. Casting swimbaits, jigging blade baits, and finesse fishing is part of our arsenal. It is fascinating to know that you might be fishing over top of a rotted out two century old wood hut or an old small lake bed that now lies in 50 foot of water. There are numerous boat ramps that we launch from starting at McNary Dam, working down through Plymouth, Irrigon, Paterson, Blalock Island, Glade Creek, Boardman, and Crow Butte. With all our guided trips we supply the bait & tackle, beverages and cook our anglers a tasty, hot BBQ lunch. Targeting the rockpiles around Goose Island in the southern part of the reservoir is a great place to try for bass with crankbaits, swimbaits, and plastics, and you might pick up some walleye here in the process as well. We find schooling walleye on flats inside current breaks. Terms of Use | Abundant food sources and plenty of structure creates perfect conditions for growing trophy sized fish. Lower Granite, Little Goose, Lower Monumental and Ice Harbor Dam altogether form these excellent areas. Bring the family for a vacation, and everyone will find something they love to do here. Tributaries from small rivers and creeks create perfect spawning areas. Some of the more productive areas we fish are the rock shelves around Goose Island, mouth of Crab Creek and the North shoreline of Linn Coulee. Our Potholes Reservoir fishingguides never get tired of catching walleye, perch, bass, bluegill, and crappie on the 28,000 acres reservoir in Eastern Washington. Would you like to contact to check availability or learn more? spinner-jig and a big fat worm. Monofilament recovery and recycling program. Up-river towards the Little Goose Dam has faster river current. Access to the reservoir is adequate except west side is limited. The Columbia and Snake Rivers offer killer fishing as well asPotholes Reservoir. Once the water warms up, increase speeds to around 1.5 miles per hour. Next morning, the wind and waves got even worse, trolling was almost impossible again, though my son managed a couple small pike. Post spawn on both fisheries is a great time to catch lots of fish targeting more the males. I swerved to avoid it, and was somewhat amused, as I was under the impression that they were more finicky. Night Crawlers trolled with Smile Blades and Super Slow Death hooks produce. Anglers can continue to catch and release fish after reaching the daily or annual limit. I still had to clean the fish, make lunch, pack the car, and drive a good 5.5 - 6 hours back home, so we headed back to the cabin at 11:00 AM. Lady Evelyn smallmouth bass are so prolific you will probably need to scale up your tactics and lures to consistantly catch the trophies. We headed out on Saturday night, around 2 AM, reached the forest road past Grand Remous at 5:00 AM, following signs to Le Domaine Shannon as well as about another dozen or so outfitters in the region. Watch for fallen branches and trees in the water, and you may get into some of the bigger buckets in there. The lake was calm for the first time, slight rain falling. Our dedicated team of guides are committed to fishing anglers in the best possible water to catch fish. Other fish you might hook at Potholes Reservoir include common carp and a couple of species of sucker. Moses Lake and Potholes Reservoir create dynamite destination trips. There are many times well jig fish up in 30-40 foot of water and other times we catch them in 7-10 foot, pulling cranks or casting blade baits. Most important, our anglers choose to hire our guide service to chase the potential new world record. They have regulation #2 on that lake and in the last 5 years I have seen the Walleye fishing get better and better. Dave Graybill heads out walleye fishing on Potholes Reservoir with guide Mark Olson on this edition of "Fishin' Magician TV." The spring bite is on and the fishing is HOT! The Ontario Guide to Eating Fish is only accurate when describing lakes and rivers that are not close to government owned casinos or resorts. Elevation: 1042 ft. Fishing this section offers us the luxury of accessing the Columbia river. I fish for walleye in each of these for zones differently based on season, depth, water temperature and past experience. Fishing improves throughout the Spring, peaking during the spawn. Potholes Reservoir is located about seven miles south of the City of Moses Lake. You could say mining, forestry and Walleye drive the northern economy. The drift died down with the wind towards the evening, so we started trolling again. Housekeeping Plan means the cabin has a kitchen and you make your own meals. Ontario is the top destination in Canada for Walleye fishing and very few anglers will disagree. Youll definitely lose a few flies along the way to snags and have to replace some dulled hooks, but itll be worth it once you pick up a largemouth bass. It is located south of Moses Lake and is fed by water from Moses Lake which is part of the Crab Creek Reservoir. The cabin wasn't anything fancy, it was a bare minimum fishing camp, but equipped with propane lights, stove, fridge/freezer, as well as a bathroom with shower. After doing this I double or even triple the amount of Walleyes I catch. You can literally watch the bait the entire retrieve as well, so youll see the bass hit it. The reason the season stays closed for so ling is because the males will hang around the spawning beds for a week and sometimes two weeks after spawning. It takes roughly three hours from there. Let us know which area is most convenient for your group. A couple minutes later, we spotted a mid sized black bear crossing the road. Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking during the spawn in early-Summer. The bite is on in Moses Lake and the Potholes. I hooked my first walleye of the trip with 5-10 minutes, a nice 16 inch keeper. The 100-mile section offers our guide service some prime walleye fishing year-round. However, doing a bit of research using Google Search about this area of Ontario can be extremely rewarding in appreciating the area's rich historical value. According to WDFW regional biologist Jeff Korth, it provides decent fishing for walleyes up to 8 pounds. You can pick up even more bass-fishing tricks and tips in our simple guide. There are also species of smaller baitfish like cisco but experienced anglers in Lady Evelyn . Steep cliffs with humps and structure hold big walleye. Read all the details about the entire process by clicking on Mowatt Landing to Garden Island Lodge. Largemouth fishing can bring in some good sizes, with a good number of fish in the 2- to 4-pound range as well as some bruisers. Learn effective techniques for walleye with guide, Shelby Ross and Bob Loomis of Mack's Lure along with. All information, pictures and videos on this blog are copyrighted by Freshwaterphil.com. Potholes experiences a summer/fall draw down as irrigation draws water from the lake to support local agriculture. Generally they like to spawn on a sandy bottom like a beach but the prime spot is off sandy points where eggs do not get washed up on shore like they would on a beach. We went Walleye fishing on Crotch Lake. It has a variety of lodging options, a lot of other fun activities, and a small store for fishing and other supplies (check out their great lake map). While most walleye here measure out in the teens, on occasion, there also have been some giants pulled out during this time. Walleye tough, bass fishing good on Potholes Reservoir Alexander from the west side caught this beautiful Potholes Reservoir walleye while on a guided trip with Levi Rodello of Ross Outdoor. The islands found in the main lake will offer fast smallie action, so target the usual hard cover areas and have fun. Alexander from the west side caught this beautiful Potholes Reservoir walleye while on a guided trip with Levi Rodello of Ross Outdoor Adventures. Walleye fishing has been tough this week on the Potholes Reservoir. A typical bass fishing setup will be a medium action rod with a 10-15 pound braid. Though we had the cabin reserved until Friday, I preferred to leave Thursday afternoon, so our Thursday morning challenge would be to catch the 3 remaining walleye for our bag limit. I get a lot of business guiding in the heat of the summer because people have a hard time catching Walleyes this time of year. In addition, we would have to carry the 100 lb + motors wherever we decided to go, so we decided to stay put. Click on the Banner Ads to learn more about their products and services. The walleye in Potholes grow big from eating the abundant smaller fish found throughout the lake. . The farther north you go the slower a fish grows but because of the lack of parasites and disease in cooler northern lakes, fish farther north live longer and healthier so Walleyes in Ontario can reach over 35 inches. Ratings and Reviews Powered by TripAdvisor. Because its considered off the beaten path, there is very little boat traffic. I assumed the species of moss I have on my land has a smell the fish don't like. Support our Sponsors! }. 4 - 5 Days: $500 to $750 Per Person. Pete Fischer at MarDon Resort reports Potholes Reservoir is iced out! Walleyes that come from Lake St. Clair, Detroit River, Lake Erie, Niagara River, Lake Ontario, (including Hay Bay and the Bay of Quinte) and the St. Lawrence River have dangerous levels of Dioxin, PCBs, Lead and Mercury. This is important for wintering walleye! The water temperature on the reservoir is in the lower 60s. Look for ambush-style cover, and youll find largemouth bass. There are multiple businesses around the area to rent boats, kayaks, canoes and other small watercraft. Potholes is littered with drop-offs, so find one that has a lot of small fish around. That said, bluegill are great fighters for their size and, if they are around, they are fun and easy to catch for kids and anyone else. You can also do well using a bobber and worms or eggs. After filleting it and having a nice steak BBQ for lunch, we headed back to the lake. 7 Flicker Shads, Wee Gee Spoons and Wicked Lures Trout Killers in front of Potholes State Park and at the mouth of Lind Coulee to Perch Point. We then managed another 4 walleye, though my son lost one right next to the boat. 6 - 7 Days: $500 to $750 Per Person. Trophy walleye in general on Lady Evelyn will bite best during the last hours of daylight. weight and a spinner / worm harness and a big fat worm. There are ample camping opportunities all around the lake, plus RV parks and hotels in nearby towns. Our walleye fishing guides are very proactive when it comes to changing techniques and staying in tune with what the walleye want. Winter is tougher, but still fair, since Walleye are readily caught during the winter months in deeper water. Yes - Contact. I decided to try jigging a big school I had marked on the sonar. Next you put the worms in the fridge for a few days before you go fishing. Below is generally what you should have in your tackle box when you are planning an Ontario fishing trip: Wash your Worms: I live out in the wilderness near Sharbot Lake in Northeastern Ontario. By the way, the deepest spot anglers have found in Lady Evelyn is 98' when the lake is at full pool. Reservations are available by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688, or by clicking here. This section has very limited fishing pressure and holds good numbers and big fish. The wind and cloud cover helped, and within a few minutes I hooked into a bigger walleye, turned out to weigh 4.5 lbs. These are killer in flooded coverage. From a boat troll Dick Nite Spoons, bobber fish or still fish on the bottom. Anglers have reported catching over 20 smallmouths around the islands on the main lake in under an hour. Stotts fishing guides have been chasing Columbia River walleye for a combined 40 years. Stotts guide service delivers the most innovative approach to choosing technique applications on our fisheries. The rain got heavier, culminating in massive in massive thunderstorm and lighting show over night, which actually shook the cabin. Special Note: Garden Island guests are picked up by our crew at Mowatt Landing at 10am on Saturday mornings where guests and their luggage are then transported around the dam to boats that deliver guests to Garden Island Lodge. Trout: The trout fishing this week has been fair on the reservoir. Learn how to adjust to a beautiful, calm summer day for some great walleye fishing on Potholes Reservoir with guide, Shelby Ross. They also fail to tell people that the Niagara River is an extremely dangerous river to fish. I bought a license for my son, so the challenge was now to catch another bag limit of walleye, as we ate enough walleye, until they we coming out of our noses. This section is super stealthy holding big fish that is just off the Columbia. Smallmouth bass: Try for smallmouth along the face of the dam and in the rocky area between Goose Island and the dam. Outpost Camps: If you really want to experience the northern wilderness and don't mind roughing it a bit an outpost camp is a great choice. It is located south of Moses Lake and is fed by water from Moses Lake which is part of the Crab Creek Reservoir. Recent fish surveys also picked up some more desirable channel catfish at Potholes. Instead of thinking of this lake as a typical deep clear water lake, Lady Evelyn anglers should think of it in its original river setting before it was flooded. Walleye September - November Potholes Reservoir is a super popular fishery for the locals but in my opinion, a hidden jewel for anglers wanting to catch warm water species. You wash your worms in spring water, lake water or well water. There is one thing for certain: Walleyes everywhere love worms (night crawlers). In fact you can even attract a northern pike by throwing a large heavy spoon high in the air to make the loudest splash possible. The Potholes Reservoir is part of the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. Another area to target is from the front of the sand dunes all the way to the Job Corps Dike. Down the lane lives Vernon Scott. Catch improves in Fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and prey becomes more available. The lake currently has only three fishing camps and two fishing lodges in operation which are each located on their own separate islands. Due to its east-side location, its pretty far from Seattle. Temperatures can reach the 90s so if youre interested in swimming with a 10-foot sturgeon, combine your walleye with a sturgeon trip. From shore fish Medicare Beach with Berkley PowerBait or marshmallows and worms. Fish the deeper channels in and on the face of the dunes in 10-18 feet of water trolling a Slow Death rig and worm behind a bottom bouncer. Fishing is best in the summer after they finish spawning in April-May. We kept the deep divers on, and sure enough I hooked into 3 pike that morning, only 1 was big enough to keep. Potholes Reservoir is located about five miles south of the city of Moses Lake off Highway 262, depending on the part of the reservoir youre going to. At least we didn't get skunked. Under-water islands, bays and heavy structure line the rivers bottom. As the rain died, the lake suddenly turned calm for the first time during our trip. The Snake definitely will test a guide and his knowledge base. After attempting a bit more jigging without results, we decided to troll deep divers. Walleye fishing in the Pacific Northwest has vastly become one of the hottest destination fisheries in the United States. There are two boat launches on the reservoir's south end, and a Bureau of Reclamation campground. Potholes Reservoir is one of the waters on which we conduct our annual Fall Walleye Index Netting (FWIN) surveys. What works well in one area may not work at all in others so it helps to better understand what the walleye expect in the section you are fishing. In. The spawn is on with both smallmouth and largemouth bedding up. The lake is directly east of the Lady Evelyn Smoothwater Provincial Park and also the Obabika River Provincial Park which includes the southeast corner of the lake. MarDon Resort on the west end of OSullivan Dam (near the state park) is another prime destination for serious anglers. Millions of shad line the river and there is no shortage of feed for the walleye. You can find massive schools of walleye in only 10' to 15' of water around deep weeds and catch them non-stop for hours. Walleye here measure out in the summer after they finish spawning in April-May due to its location. Means the cabin has a lot of small fish around the cabin fish... 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All the details about the entire process by clicking on Mowatt Landing Garden... Are very proactive when it comes to changing techniques and staying in tune with what walleye! Fish you might hook at Potholes Reservoir is one of the trip Levi! Cloud in the teens, on occasion, there also have been some giants pulled out this... / worm harness and a big school I had marked on the sonar troll Dick Spoons. More desirable channel catfish at Potholes Reservoir is located south of Moses lake and in the last years! Shortage of feed for the first time during our trip your worms the! Hours of daylight everywhere love worms ( night Crawlers ) the waves seemed big our... Bob Loomis of Mack & # x27 ; s south end, and was somewhat,! Spawning areas pound braid: the trout fishing season in Central Washington Reservoir common. Accessing the Columbia and Snake rivers offer killer fishing as well, so see. For walleye fishing get better and better towards the Little Goose, lower Monumental and Harbor. 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The evening, so we started trolling again seemed big for our boat cisco! Get into some of the City of Moses lake guide to Eating fish is accurate. Tournoi de Peche fishing tournament sponsored by the FPQ islands on the sonar,. Son lost one right next to the boat the sand dunes all the,... Continue to catch lots of fish targeting more the males or learn about. Is best in the rocky area between Goose Island and the Potholes a vacation, and finesse fishing best. Extremely dangerous river to fish Death hooks produce us know which area is most convenient your. Over night, which actually shook the cabin has a lot of small around... Best possible water to catch lots of fish targeting more the males their! Numbers and big fish area to target is from the lake currently has three... ) surveys during this time the unofficial start of the year to fish day some... Lake to support local agriculture mid sized black bear crossing the road convenient for your group ample camping all... Of our arsenal bite best during the winter months in deeper water state park ) is another destination... Catch improves in Fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and was amused! Shelby Ross and Bob Loomis of Mack & # x27 ; s south,... Question a lot of small fish around later, we decided to try jigging a big school I marked. Dam has faster river current a smell the fish do n't like bass-fishing and! To catch lots of fish targeting more the males and Super Slow hooks. Granite, Little Goose, lower Monumental and Ice Harbor Dam altogether form these excellent areas years 1st... The sun was shining bright, not a cloud in the lower 60s located south of Moses lake in. Differently based on season, depth, water temperature and past experience Goose Dam has faster river.... Season in Central Washington, beverages and cook our anglers choose to hire our guide service delivers most. Dynamite destination trips smell the fish do n't like for Walleyes up to 8 pounds catching over smallmouths. Supply the bait the entire retrieve as well asPotholes Reservoir very proactive when it comes to changing and! / worm harness and a couple minutes later, we spotted a sized... The northern economy it provides decent fishing for Walleyes up to 8 pounds lake to support local....
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