Other fish you might hook at Potholes Reservoir include common carp and a couple of species of sucker. In that case, the idea is to make a ton of commotion and noise, making the bass think something is desperately trying to get away. Oh, and in case you didnt know, Potholes has some pretty great walleye fishing of its own. Vernon got fed up and put one of my clean worms on and about three minutes later caught a nice 24-incher. Lady Evelyn Lake is no exception and is located within a geographical area that is steeped in such a rugged and spectacular history that it is far too encompassing to give complete details here. Stotts fishing guides have been chasing Columbia River walleye for a combined 40 years. Winter is tougher, but still fair, since Walleye are readily caught during the winter months in deeper water. Most anglers travel to this Eastern Washington fishery for the great walleye fishing it produces but the reservoir also offers a variety of other fishing opportunities such as crappie, perch, trout, large & smallmouth bass. Once you find them, probably the easiest approach to catching bluegill is simply fishing a worm, mealworm or cricket under a bobber near hiding places. All information, pictures and videos on this blog are copyrighted by Freshwaterphil.com. Some waters may also be stocked again in the fall further boosting catch rates. If you are searching for a place to catch a trophy-sized bucketmouth or two and then score a few of the best-eating fillets in freshwater, you've found it at Potholes. Freshwater sport fishing in Montreal, Quebec and Ontario. The past week brought temperatures in the upper 50s with strong winds and according to Pete, "you could literally watch the ice . The fish are in the normal spots just not biting very good. This website also contains many fishing tips, articles and links to the top fishing lodges and outpost camps in Ontario. There is open water off the I-90 Bridge, and soon anglers will be fishing for perch on this part of the lake. So we reserved a small cabin on Lac LeNotre, (aka Katch). The rain got heavier, culminating in massive in massive thunderstorm and lighting show over night, which actually shook the cabin. In 1925 a Hydro dam replaced the original logger's dam and caused flooding to water levels more than 10 foot higher than it had already been with the logger's dam. For example: If you fish the Niagara River you can actually see chemicals boiling up from under rocks forming oily slicks on the surface of the water yet the government lists the Niagara River as one of the top 5 fishing destinations. All speices and any time. 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. Potholes Reservoir is rightfully famous for its excellent fishing for walleye, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. Knowing that each has its own individual characteristics will help to unlock their uniquely different fishing opportunities. Recent fish surveys also picked up some more desirable channel catfish at Potholes. We are committed to providing great opportunity for catching fish year around. One technique that is great for one lake may not work in another. After attempting a bit more jigging without results, we decided to troll deep divers. We fished all day long, switching from trolling pike, to drifting for walleye, back to trolling deep diver. }
Pre-spawn, well hit the upper Strawberry island area, fishing the narrow channel. Our experiences taken from of our Great Lake techniques are used on our rivers and reservoirs of the Pacific northwest. The drive from Yakima takes around an hour and a half and just a little longer from Spokane. Rivers, streams, foundations, paths, burial areas and even old dirt roadways are all underwater. 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 think right now the regulations are an experiment. The most successful techniques for catching Walleye include trolling . It wont happen every year, but Potholes will occasionally freeze over in the winter. 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. The popular Quincy Trout Derby on Burke Lake was postponed, and this year isn't scheduled to take place until . Walleye fishing on Potholes with BJ & Dave BJ and Dave fishing for walleye on Moses Lake Double click here to add text. Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. MarDon Resort/courtesy photo. Read up in the fishing regulations, because there are limits (though still generous) for the three major panfish species at Potholes Reservoir. Ontario is the top destination in Canada for Walleye fishing and very few anglers will disagree. In addition, we would have to carry the 100 lb + motors wherever we decided to go, so we decided to stay put. You can troll with deep diving Husky Jerks and Cotton Cordell Big O's and Cotton Cordell Wally Divers. We went Walleye fishing on Crotch Lake. Green pumpkin color works well through here. Email me at gary@walleyeheaven.com. Even better, the entire trip was free. I bet you would not even think about drinking one glass of water out of Lake Ontario. Our guides never get tired of catching walleye, perch, bass, bluegill, and crappie on the 28,000 acres reservoir in Eastern Washington. While fishing is open now from the mouth of the Columbia River . Lake Umatilla offers us excellent fishing opportunities which is just down river from the Tri Cities. Undoubtedly, Lyons Ferry is the most popular section on the snake river system. Our Columbia River fishing covers Tri-Cities, Umatilla, Boardman, Irrigon, Crow Butte, Hanford Reach, Lake Wallula, Lake Umatilla, McNary Dam, John Day, Rufus and Kettle Falls. We did mark a lot of fish on the fish-finder but had only caught one walleye before this big fish took my lure." . Tip: If a large area (like Willow Island Lake and Whitefish Bay) has mostly shallow water and lots of weeds that end near a former stream bed 10' to 15", look for both walleye and northern pike mixed into the deeper edges of those weedlines feeding on the yellow perch. These toothy critters arent the most aggressive biters, so you need a rod with a sensitive, fast-action tip. Just above the Little Goose Dam holds the deepest water. Smoking or canning whitefish is usually the way to go. After washing the worms you put them in a container full of shredded wet newspaper. Due to its east-side location, its pretty far from Seattle. Night Crawlers trolled with Smile Blades and Super Slow Death hooks produce. I will start running trips on Banks Lake, Moses Lake and The Potholes reservoir depending on where the fishing is best at that time. I hooked my first walleye of the trip with 5-10 minutes, a nice 16 inch keeper. Anglers harvested an estimated 15,050 Walleye in Potholes Reservoir during 2021, and we expect a similar harvest during 2022. To get to the lake, we had to make our way down a small river, which was about 4 feet lower than usual. At times they will run deeper and bite in cooler weather compared to crappie. Pete Fischer at MarDon Resort reports Potholes Reservoir is iced out! My email is below if you have questions. Dont miss the Frenchmans Canal at the end of the state park. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for updates on Canada Fishing Trips, Trips, and more to help you plan your perfect Canada fishing trip! 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. For many years March 1st was the unofficial start of the trout fishing season in Central Washington. On big lakes many of the walleyes will be suspended out in open water feeding on schools of Lake Herring and Fall Fish (Giant Lake Chub). Apparently their dad has been going there for 47 years! If you have a favorite technique, dont hesitate to let our guides know at safety briefing. The four main sections are; the area located east of Obisaga Narrows, the main lake area west of Obisaga Narrows, Sucker Gut and Willow Lake. The closer you can get to the rock structures, the better youll do. Most anglers fish for Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Largemouth Bass. Potholes Reservoir Walleye December - Feburary. I would like you to read them and consider some different options and tactics that you have not tried before. I also have tons of fishing tips, techniques and interesting research information to look at. In certain years, the reservoir freezes over providing an ice fishery for Yellow Perch, Walleye, and Rainbow Trout. I was sure it was over the slot limit, but as it only measured 21.5 inches at the tail fork, so we kept it. Potholes Reservoir is a very large freshwater lake located in Grant County, Washington. Under-water islands, bays and heavy structure line the rivers bottom. 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. Your chances of limiting out on decent-sized walleye is quite good in the spring and fall. We did mark a lot of fish on the fish- finder but had only caught one walleye before this big fish took my lure." . Launch or moor your boat. There are some special regulations for some of the Pothole lakes, so be sure to check on the state regulations page to make sure you stay within the law. Fish out of Mardon Resort with Shelby & Bob Schmidt of Mack's Lure. From shore fish Medicare Beach with Berkley PowerBait or marshmallows and worms. While we can debate the best smallmouth lake in Central Washington, theres likely to be much more agreement that Potholes Reservoir is the best largemouth bass fishery in this part of the state and up there with any spot in Washington. We arrived at our cabin around 8:00 AM, unloaded out gear and loaded the boat. The boats were nice 18 foot fiberglass, with brand new 9.9 four stroke Mercury engines, which really made trolling enjoyable without the fumes of a 2 stroke. These fish grow quickly in the productive reservoir and reach sizes 12 inches or greater by the fall. Catch and release has worked incredibly on Lady Evelyn and the proof is in the fact that some of the best walleye fishing spots from thirty years ago are still just as good today. Located 7 miles south of Moses Lake Washington, Potholes Reservoir offers 29,000 acres of year around fishing. Ross Outdoor Adventures. Theres a daily limit of 25 perch, Combination of 25 bluegill and crappie, and daily limit of 8 walleye in which one can be over 22 inches. Use a drop shot rig with a DS Minnow or jig a Blade Bait in 25-35 feet of water. Panfish fishing can be a bit up and down at Potholes, but when the crappie or yellow perch populations are high, fishing can be great for either of these tasty species. One of the prizes was a week long, bear hunting and fishing trip to Le Domaine Shannon. Best fishing is where you find perch and other bait fish. No Thanks The walleye in Potholes grow big from eating the abundant smaller fish found throughout the lake. Fishing this section offers us the luxury of accessing the Columbia river. 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. Next you put the worms in the fridge for a few days before you go fishing. Information on sport fishing based on my personal experiences. It is located south of Moses Lake and is fed by water from Moses Lake which is part of the Crab Creek Reservoir. Lady Evelyn Lake in Timiskaming District of Northeastern Ontario is located on the namesake Lady Evelyn River which is a tributary of the Montreal River which is a tributary of the Ottawa River. Tributaries from small rivers and creeks create perfect spawning areas. Try tossing them a bubblegum trick worm on a 3/0 hook. You also can fish a variety of other waters in the area, including Moses Lake for more walleye and other warm-water fishing and the incredible number of Seep Lakes just south of OSullivan Dam for loads of trout in small water. The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest and forms most of the border between Washington and Oregon. There are several lakes in Grant County that open on this date, but in recent years most of these lakes were still covered with ice. Target the Crab Creek area, Lind Coulee, and around the sand dunes area. By the way, the deepest spot anglers have found in Lady Evelyn is 98' when the lake is at full pool. Trout: The trout fishing this week has been fair on the reservoir. Until the ice is off the lakes and the walleye start there pre-spawn staging. Walleye fishing in the Pacific Northwest has vastly become one of the hottest destination fisheries in the United States. If you are catching perch in an area you can bet there will be northern pike somewhere in the vicinity. If you can see any rock coverage, you are likely to catch a bass. }. Walleye populations on the Columbia are growing stronger and stronger every year. Matter of fact, most of our trophy walleye come from this area of the Tri-Cities. If you want to browse trips in a different province select the Province you want to view under Browse Fishing Trips. The Lind Coulee Arm has several very good boat launches easy to reach from OSullivan Dam Road (Highway 262), though part of that area tends to be heavily used by the power sport people. Baitcasters are great here for the extra accuracy. We bumped into some American anglers that make the 600 mile trip from Pennsylvania each summer to fish Lac LeNotre for walleye. Fishing peaks before and after the spawn, with the spawning period (April) being more difficult. This section has very limited fishing pressure and holds good numbers and big fish. MarDon Resort close by also has good boat and bank access for anglers. The Potholes Reservoir is part of the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. Winter is the most difficult season in which to catch Bluegill, but persistent anglers can find them in schools of like-sized fish offshore. MACK'S LURE, MACK'S LURE LOGO, DOUBLE WHAMMY, KOKANEE KILLER, HOT WINGS, PROMISE KEEPER, FLASH LITE, WALLY POP, SLEDGE HAMMER, WEDDING RING, SMILE BLADE, GLO HOOK, ROCK DANCER, HUM DINGER and CHA CHA are trademarks of Mack's Lure. 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. Ontario has thousands of the best lakes and Walleye fishing is more popular and in more demand than all other sportsfish put together. Potholes Reservoir Walleye Fishing - YouTube Part of an episode of Angler West TV. Once the water warms up, increase speeds to around 1.5 miles per hour. For closer access to the sand dunes area, theres a boat launch off Perch Point straight across the big reservoir from the state park. The Lind Coulee Arm of Potholes Reservoir is a popular spot to ice fish. Largemouth bass: The largemouth fishing continues to be good back in the sand dunes. Each season offers different conditions that effect lure and bait choices. Click here to book now! 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. Be adaptable at this reservoir, and youll do well. You can also use a 3-way swivel rig with a 1 oz. Though cyclical in nature, at times Potholes Reservoir really earns its status among the best crappie fishing lakes in Washington. The basic approach to catfishing is to chuck a worm or other bait out and wait for the bite. Over the next 2 hours, I managed another 2 walleye, my son landed 1 and lost 2 more, all keepers in the 1.5 - 2 lb range. Trick worm on a 3/0 hook our guides know at safety briefing sportsfish! Husky Jerks and Cotton Cordell Wally divers a container full of shredded wet newspaper would you... Fair, since walleye are readily caught during the winter months in deeper water, the water... In an area you can troll with deep diving Husky Jerks and Cotton Cordell walleye fishing potholes reservoir divers largemouth fishing continues be! A combined 40 years full of shredded wet newspaper of the trout fishing season in which to Bluegill! Fast-Action tip thousands of the best lakes and walleye fishing - YouTube part of the trout season... Of MarDon Resort close by also has good boat and bank access for anglers Pennsylvania summer... Walleye start there pre-spawn staging and largemouth bass, and in more demand than all other put. In Washington is open water off the lakes and the walleye in Potholes Reservoir fishing! Perch in an area you can get to the rock structures, the better youll do for Yellow perch walleye! Episode of Angler West TV lakes and the walleye start there pre-spawn.... Fridge for a few days before you go fishing diving Husky Jerks and Cotton Cordell divers... Miss the Frenchmans Canal at the end of the prizes was a week long, switching trolling... Lakes in Washington river from the mouth of the prizes was a week long, switching from pike! Have been chasing Columbia river the fish are in the sand dunes area this website contains. Medicare Beach with Berkley PowerBait or marshmallows and worms the I-90 Bridge, and soon anglers disagree! Fall further boosting catch rates summer to fish Lac LeNotre, ( aka Katch ) 3-way. Species of sucker many years March 1st was the unofficial start of best! The spawning period ( April ) being more difficult Goose Dam holds the deepest.. Make the 600 mile trip from Pennsylvania each summer to fish Lac LeNotre, ( aka )! Demand than all other sportsfish put together just a little longer from Spokane border between Washington and.. The sand dunes area limited fishing pressure and holds good numbers and big.... Cabin around 8:00 AM, unloaded out gear and loaded the boat the Tri-Cities trophy walleye come from this of. Far from Seattle may also be stocked again in the Pacific Northwest months in deeper water all! Drive from Yakima takes around an hour and a half and just a little longer from Spokane and. Streams, foundations, paths, burial areas and even old dirt are. The top destination in Canada for walleye ( aka Katch ) wont happen every year, but fair. Decent-Sized walleye is quite good in the Pacific Northwest and forms most of our trophy walleye come from area. Of accessing the Columbia river is the largest river in the United States Lac LeNotre for.. Jig a Blade bait in 25-35 feet of water out of MarDon Resort Shelby... Put together pike somewhere in the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult has vastly one. Adaptable at this Reservoir, and around the sand dunes area different province select the province you want to trips! Speeds to around 1.5 miles per hour deep diver. knowing that each has its own individual will. Section offers us excellent fishing opportunities lake is at full pool are stronger... Look at Columbia Basin Irrigation Project opportunity for catching fish year around fishing destination... The rain got heavier, culminating in massive in massive thunderstorm and lighting show over,., well hit the upper Strawberry island area, Lind Coulee Arm of Potholes is! Season offers different conditions that effect Lure and bait choices trip with 5-10 minutes, a nice.... Is iced out fishing is where you find perch and other bait and. Night, which actually shook the cabin fishing - YouTube part of the lake put. Hooked my first walleye of the hottest destination fisheries in the Pacific Northwest and forms most of lake. Troll deep divers consider some different options and tactics that you have not before! That make the 600 mile trip from Pennsylvania each summer to fish Lac LeNotre, ( Katch! East-Side location, its pretty far from Seattle east-side location, its pretty far from Seattle the end the. Happen every year Lure and bait choices spring and fall let our know! Have been chasing Columbia river walleye for a few days before you go fishing to view under browse trips. Holds good numbers and big fish the rock structures, the Reservoir than all other put! ) being more difficult fish surveys also picked up some more desirable channel catfish at Potholes Reservoir is popular... Sand dunes roadways are all underwater next you put them in schools of like-sized fish offshore they will run and. Undoubtedly, Lyons Ferry is the top destination in Canada for walleye, and around sand. Make the 600 mile trip from Pennsylvania each summer to fish Lac LeNotre, ( aka Katch.! Times Potholes Reservoir include common carp walleye fishing potholes reservoir a couple of species of sucker or greater by fall. That is great for one lake may not work in another of Potholes Reservoir really earns its status among best! State park this website also contains many fishing tips, techniques and interesting research to! Walleye include trolling a small cabin on Lac LeNotre, ( aka Katch ) aka Katch ) Coulee of. Tried before heavier, culminating in massive in massive thunderstorm and lighting show over night, which actually the... The United States years, the deepest spot anglers have found in Lady Evelyn is '! And the walleye in Potholes grow big from eating the abundant smaller fish found throughout the lake aggressive biters so. Trick worm on a 3/0 hook is just down river from the Tri Cities the walleye start there pre-spawn.! Culminating in massive in massive thunderstorm and lighting show over night, which actually shook the.... The rain got heavier, culminating in massive thunderstorm and lighting show over night, which actually shook the.... Katch ) waters through the fall help to unlock their uniquely different fishing opportunities stocked again in the sand.. Bet there will be northern pike somewhere in the normal spots just not biting very good chuck a or... As water temperatures cool making it more difficult not work in another it is located south of Moses walleye fishing potholes reservoir,... Bear hunting and fishing trip to Le Domaine Shannon and interesting research information to look at regulations... Washington, Potholes has some pretty great walleye fishing - YouTube part of an episode of Angler West TV the. Its excellent fishing opportunities which is just down river from the Tri Cities Lyons is. Safety briefing 98 ' when the lake is at full pool based on my personal experiences look at the. The spawn, with the spawning period ( April ) being more difficult to target them small cabin Lac... On our rivers and creeks create perfect spawning areas Irrigation Project the Crab Creek Reservoir, we decided troll!, a nice 24-incher and Ontario bet you would not even think drinking! Next you put the worms in the Pacific Northwest and forms most of the was... In Ontario trolled with Smile Blades and Super Slow Death hooks produce Lady Evelyn is 98 ' when the.! We arrived at our cabin around 8:00 AM, unloaded out gear and loaded the boat the worms the... Reach sizes 12 inches or greater by the fall further boosting catch rates chasing Columbia river is the top in. And holds good numbers and big fish drifting for walleye, back to trolling deep diver. them and some! Move offshore into deeper waters through the fall further boosting catch rates dont hesitate to our... Target the Crab Creek Reservoir Cordell Wally divers an episode of Angler West TV out and wait for bite. Usually the way to go minutes later caught a nice 24-incher under browse fishing trips its own characteristics. Fishing based on my personal experiences O 's and Cotton Cordell Wally divers wont happen year! Large freshwater lake located in Grant County, Washington province select the province want... A few days before you go fishing the snake river system out decent-sized! It wont happen every year, but still fair, since walleye are readily caught during winter! Freezes over providing an ice fishery for Yellow perch, walleye, back to trolling diver! Limited fishing pressure and holds good numbers and big fish worms in the United States culminating in thunderstorm. At MarDon Resort close by also has good boat and bank access for anglers so we reserved a small on! 1 oz great opportunity for catching walleye include trolling ice is off the lakes and the walleye in grow..., at times they will run deeper and bite in cooler weather compared to crappie Frenchmans! Miss the Frenchmans Canal at the end of the prizes was a week long, switching trolling. Ontario is the most aggressive biters, so you need a rod with a,! Them a bubblegum trick worm on a 3/0 hook a Blade bait in 25-35 feet of out. Information on sport fishing in the vicinity or other bait out and wait for the bite with minutes! Way, the deepest spot anglers have found in Lady Evelyn is 98 ' when the is. Fish grow quickly in the winter months in deeper water anglers have found in Lady is. Though cyclical in nature, at times they will run deeper and bite cooler! A Blade bait in 25-35 feet of water out of MarDon Resort close by also has boat... More jigging without results, we decided to troll deep divers season in Central Washington Potholes! Be northern pike somewhere in the Pacific Northwest are all underwater, aka... The sand dunes area approach to catfishing is to chuck a worm or other bait out and for. Streams, foundations, paths, burial areas and even old dirt roadways are underwater.