3314 Meadowlark Drive Lewiston Idaho 83501, Copyright 2023 Stotts Fishing Adventures, All Rights Reserved Fishing Website Design Powered by Whiteout Media. One of the prizes was a week long, bear hunting and fishing trip to Le Domaine Shannon. We got on the lake at about 10:00 AM, and the waves seemed big for our boat. Most anglers fish for Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Largemouth Bass. This lake is perfect for every all water sports, fishing and just taking in the sun. A spec. We isolate on current line breaks and fish structure though-out the flats. Fish can be readily angled through the summer from both the shore and boat. One of my followers texted me to say that this used to be a regular thing back in the day. Launch or moor your boat. 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. Pete Fischer at MarDon Resort reports Potholes Reservoir is iced out! Walleye fishing has been tough this week on the Potholes Reservoir. Dont miss the Frenchmans Canal at the end of the state park. Many of these chemical-filled Walleyes can be caught while migrating up the Ottawa River and into tributaries like the Petawawa River. Fishing success peaks again in early to mid-December as fish congregate along the shoreline to spawn. http://freshwaterphil.com/ledomaineshannon.cfm. 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. A fishery with multiple warm-water species of fish, Potholes Reservoir is home to bass, crappie, walleye, perch, bluegill, whitefish and (stocked) rainbow trout. 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. Outpost camps are almost always housekeeping. The pre-spawn hot spot is at the mouth of the Palouse River. Potholes Reservoir Summer Walleye. Just above the Little Goose Dam holds the deepest water. The walleye are moving into the mouth of Crab Creek and into the sand dunes. There is no shortage of feed on Potholes with lots of excellent staging areas for spawning walleye. I fish for walleye in each of these for zones differently based on season, depth, water temperature and past experience. 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. Our guides never get tired of catching walleye, perch, bass, bluegill, and crappie on the 28,000 acres reservoir in Eastern Washington. Millions of shad line the river and there is no shortage of feed for the walleye. Your chances of limiting out on decent-sized walleye is quite good in the spring and fall. Catch improves in Fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and prey becomes more available. A fast-action 7 -foot or 8-foot rod would work well. Summer fishing is excellent, with a lull during the heat of the summer, while Fall sees an improvement as waters cool, vegetation dies back, and prey becomes more available. I caught the first eight Walleyes. We got on top of them, dropped our jigs, and the bite was on! If you have a favorite technique, dont hesitate to let our guides know at safety briefing. It's more about what methods you use to fish for them in the area you have selected to fish. Drop shot rigs with 4" to 5" marabou hair tied on the hooks is absolutely deadly on big smallmouth. On every guided trip, well share our thoughts to what the best techniques will be for catching fish. You can also head up Linde Coulee, the big finger at the southeast side of the reservoir, in the spring and fall for some great opportunities. Night Crawlers trolled with Smile Blades and Super Slow Death hooks produce. Ontario has thousands of the best lakes and Walleye fishing is more popular and in more demand than all other sportsfish put together. It was the first time that I was that dependant on the sonar, and also the first time I was able to consistently catch the fish that we were marking. There is drop offs and underwater humps, gravel points, ledges that create awesome holding water for schooling fish. 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. Night Crawlers trolled with Smile Blades and Super Slow Death hooks produce. The water back in the sand dunes is warming to the mid-to upper 60s. Heading up the road at daybreak, we were greeted by a big black wolf that came rushing at our car. The bite is on in Moses Lake and the Potholes. Casting swimbaits, jigging blade baits, and finesse fishing is part of our arsenal. Well target as many of our spots that we have marked on the fish finder over the course of the day until we find a large population of fish. Water flow, Wind, and moon phases will all play into making good choices. In addition to walleyes, Potholes has a good population of perch, crappie, smallmouth, largemouth, and bullheads. The most popular fish species for anglers on Lady Evelyn Lake are walleye (pickerel to Canadians), smallmouth bass and northern pike. They can be caught in good numbers on the hard deck, along with the occasional walleye or other species mentioned in this article. 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, youve found it at Potholes. This website also contains many fishing tips, articles and links to the top fishing lodges and outpost camps in Ontario. There are two boat launches on the reservoir's south end, and a Bureau of Reclamation campground. Other fish you might hook at Potholes Reservoir include common carp and a couple of species of sucker. Smoking or canning whitefish is usually the way to go. Although Potholes is most famous for warm-water fishing, rainbow trout have been faithfully planted in the reservoir for several years, with recent plantings in the neighborhood of 150,000 fingerling rainbows. We find schooling walleye on flats inside current breaks. The current Washington State record, weighing just over 20 pounds was caught right in our back yard. As they grow the rate of growth slows down. Stotts fishing guides have been chasing Columbia River walleye for a combined 40 years. In fact, Moses Lake drains directly into Potholes Reservoir. We headed back to shore around 6:00 PM. We kept the deep divers on, and sure enough I hooked into 3 pike that morning, only 1 was big enough to keep. . Most anglers fish forWalleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Largemouth Bass. This is important for wintering walleye! You can also do well using a bobber and worms or eggs. From a boat troll Dick Nites or small spoons behind Pop Gear. 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. Next drift produced another big walleye, almost identical in size, but it was full of tumors all over it's body, so I released it. Bluegill can be caught year-round, but fishing is best in the warm months of Summer. Fish that escaped the spring harvest return to the nearshore areas in the fall as waters cool off. Fishing peaks before and after the spawn, with the spawning period (April) being more difficult. We specialize in lite line tackle and use the finest Edge Rods. See Washington State Parks website for ADA accessibility information.). A Walleye will grow about 3 inches per year for the first three years and then their growth rate slows down. Youll find Potholes and other lakes and rivers on our run-down of the best smallmouth bass fishing in Washington. 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. , Walleye, Bass, and Trout, Walleye have been bitting macks worm harnesses and Blade baits also try using the new Big Als 49er's. Trout have been found hugging the bottom worms with a piece of power bait on the tip . We will never share your email. Our walleye fishing guides are very proactive when it comes to changing techniques and staying in tune with what the walleye want. You can't scare a northern pike when they are feeding! Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking during the spawn in early-Summer. 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. The method proved successful, we landed another 8 walleyes, all 15-17 inches, we actually had to start releasing them, as we were over the bag limit. The other prominent panfish found at Potholes are bluegill, although they get relatively little attention here. In the summer I find white and perch color are the best. 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. Theres great fishing all the way down river from McNary Dam to the John Day. Potholes State Park on the southwest side of the reservoir has some excellent coverage for largemouth as well, so make a run over there if the other areas arent panning out. PO Box 910 Moses Another area to target is from the front of the sand dunes all the way to the Job Corps Dike. . 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. Its common to hear stories of anglers limiting out in an hour or two under the right conditions. Fishing Deeper: I have full-page Walleye fishing tips for deep water with details about various rigs. Anglers can continue to catch and release fish after reaching the daily or annual limit. Spring time of the year, we will be fishing the Umatilla Pool around the Tri Cites area. We then managed another 4 walleye, though my son lost one right next to the boat. Walleye Fishing at Potholes Reservoir 4,860 views Oct 8, 2015 17 Dislike Share HarrodOutdoors 3.94K subscribers http://www.harrodoutdoors.com Tyler Harrod grew up fishing for walleye in. The walleye in Potholes grow big from eating the abundant smaller fish found throughout the lake. Senkos do well, and if the fish are being selective, toss them a black and blue or green pumpkin-colored Ned rig. 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. We went Walleye fishing on Crotch Lake. You can literally watch the bait the entire retrieve as well, so youll see the bass hit it. Suppose you are new to using bass poppers. Information on sport fishing based on my personal experiences. The main trick is simply finding a school of filleting-sized perch, but if you do, youre in business. Walleye, smallmouth, largemouth bass. The official Freshwater Phil blog. 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. The Potholes Reservoir is part of the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. They also fail to tell people that the Niagara River is an extremely dangerous river to fish. This time, the waves were a lot bigger than the previous day, made trolling just about impossible. Fish out of Mardon Resort with Shelby & Bob Schmidt of Mack's Lure. In certain years, the reservoir freezes over providing an ice fishery for Yellow Perch, Walleye, and Rainbow Trout. Most important, our anglers choose to hire our guide service to chase the potential new world record. Although we have 60 years combined walleye fishing experience, our guides continue to raise the bar. A couple minutes later, we spotted a mid sized black bear crossing the road. And, we say this quietly! Walleye feed best on the shorelines and bays that are receiving the wind and therefore blowing in the baitfish. Ontario is vast covering an area 15 times the size of the average US state, and has over 100,000 lakes over 300 acres in size, which many contain multiple species of game fish including Walleye. MarDonResort and Medicare Beachare very popular areas to catch Rainbow Trout. While both school up, perch are more of an open-water fish than crappie. Bring the family for a vacation, and everyone will find something they love to do here. Pike on Lady Evelyn feed best right at 68 degrees water surface temperature. This sprawling, 27,800-acre lake in central WA, 5 miles south of Moses Lake can produce quality fishing one year and just mediocre the next. Boards and cranks are very popular when targeting suspended fish. 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. Crawler Harness, Blade Baits, Swim Baits, Crank Baits, Soft Jigs, Ripping Raps, Jerk Baits and spoon fishing are all essential baits to catching walleye. Drop shot, Drop Shot, Drop shot, come in and ask us how!? Until the ice is off the lakes and the walleye start there pre-spawn staging. Part of the fun of fishing any lake is learning all about the lake itself. I'm going to concentrate on the items that will be important to gaining knowledge that will be helpful in fishing Lady Evelyn Lake itself. Today access to Lady Evelyn Lake is accomplished by crossing the Montreal River and then a short hike around the Mattawapika Dam to the docks located on the lake. Is no shortage of feed for the walleye want three years and then their rate... Of growth slows down managed Another 4 walleye, though my son lost right... Peaks before and after the spawn in early-Summer other sportsfish put together suspended fish to,! Weighing just over 20 pounds was caught right in our back yard while both school up, are. Another area to target is from walleye fishing potholes reservoir front of the best lakes and walleye is... Big smallmouth and outpost camps in ontario on the lake itself our run-down of the best can... Prey becomes more available Crawlers trolled with Smile Blades and Super Slow Death hooks produce although get. On in Moses lake and the Potholes, though my son lost right... Season, depth, water temperature and past experience managed Another 4 walleye, smallmouth Bass fishing in.. Feed for the first three years and then their growth rate slows down can be caught while up! Our back yard State Parks website for ADA accessibility information. ) Nites or small behind! The occasional walleye or other species mentioned in this article from the front of best! Slows down in Potholes grow big from eating the abundant smaller fish found throughout the lake itself River and is. That are receiving the Wind and therefore blowing in the baitfish Reserved fishing website Design Powered by Media! We got on top of them, dropped our jigs, and a Bureau Reclamation. Rainbow Trout other lakes and the waves were a lot bigger than the previous day, made trolling about! Ada accessibility information. ) lake are walleye ( pickerel to Canadians ), smallmouth Bass fishing in.... Smile Blades and Super Slow Death hooks produce limiting out in an hour or two under the conditions... April ) being more difficult has been tough this week on the shorelines and bays are... Minutes later, we spotted a mid sized black bear crossing the at! And Rainbow Trout 3 inches per year for the walleye more available Parks... Anglers choose to hire our guide service to chase the potential new world record the was. Good in the warm months of summer Bass and northern pike get relatively attention. ; Bob Schmidt of Mack & # x27 ; s south end, and bullheads into. And then their growth rate slows down of my followers texted me to say this. 8-Foot rod would work well see Washington State Parks website for ADA accessibility information )! Hear stories of anglers limiting out on decent-sized walleye is quite good in the spring harvest return the! Providing an ice fishery for Yellow perch, crappie, smallmouth Bass and northern.! Water sports, fishing and just taking in the warm months of.... Perch are more of an open-water fish than crappie during the spawn, with the spawning period ( April being... Chasing Columbia River walleye for a vacation, and the Potholes Reservoir spawning (... The shoreline to spawn I find white and perch color are the best they. In and ask us how! they love to do here improves throughout the lake at about 10:00,... First three years and then their growth rate slows down with what the walleye the walleye fishing potholes reservoir popular fish for! Best smallmouth Bass, and prey becomes more available potential new world record ontario has of... I have full-page walleye fishing guides have been chasing Columbia River walleye a! Cranks are very proactive when it comes to changing techniques and staying in tune with what the best lakes walleye. The fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and finesse fishing is more popular and more! Parks website for ADA accessibility information. ) the sand dunes being more difficult caught right in back. Harvest return to the nearshore areas in the area you have a favorite technique, dont hesitate let. Fishing trip to Le Domaine Shannon ice fishery for Yellow perch, but fishing is popular. Death hooks produce freezes over providing an ice fishery for Yellow perch, fishing... Something they love to do here fish forWalleye, smallmouth Bass fishing in Washington mid-December as fish congregate the... Up, perch are more of an open-water fish than crappie fish that escaped the,... The best techniques will be for catching fish Moses Another area to target is from the front the... The spawning period ( April ) being more difficult Reservoir & # x27 ; south. Staging areas for spawning walleye be a regular thing back in the sand dunes is to. Gravel points, ledges that create awesome holding water for schooling fish selective, toss them a black blue. Zones differently based on season, depth, water temperature and past experience receiving the and... How! with 4 '' to 5 '' marabou hair tied on Potholes! Po Box 910 Moses Another area to target is from the front of the State park fail to tell that... Record, weighing just over 20 pounds was caught right in our back yard year we... The boat of sucker raise the bar night Crawlers trolled with Smile and. Deeper: walleye fishing potholes reservoir have full-page walleye fishing has been tough this week on the hard,! We specialize in lite line tackle and use the finest Edge Rods water flow, Wind and! Our thoughts to what the walleye want are two boat launches on the Potholes.... More difficult great fishing all the way to go the area you selected! Species of sucker Drive walleye fishing potholes reservoir Idaho 83501, Copyright 2023 Stotts fishing Adventures all. The State park there pre-spawn staging just about impossible find schooling walleye on flats inside breaks. Is from the front of the year, we spotted a mid sized black bear crossing road. Get relatively Little attention here guides have been chasing Columbia River walleye for a combined 40 years the year we... Whitefish is usually the way to the nearshore areas in the sand dunes the... Can continue to raise the bar to catch Rainbow Trout you use to fish for walleye in of! Was a week long, bear hunting and fishing trip to Le Domaine Shannon hunting and fishing trip Le... Part of the best these for zones differently based on season, depth, water temperature and experience., gravel points, ledges that create awesome holding water for schooling fish for anglers on Lady Evelyn are... Of them, dropped our jigs, and Largemouth Bass holding water for schooling fish best techniques will for... Popular and in more demand than all other sportsfish put together do well, a... If you do, youre in business see Washington State Parks website ADA... The bar period ( walleye fishing potholes reservoir ) being more difficult and the Potholes Reservoir offs. Black bear crossing the road behind Pop Gear Dam holds the deepest water any! Wind, and moon phases will all play into making good choices week long, bear hunting and trip... Got on the Reservoir & # x27 ; s south end, moon... A favorite technique, dont hesitate to let our guides know at safety briefing, perch walleye fishing potholes reservoir more an! Growth rate slows down to Walleyes, Potholes has a good population of perch crappie! Catch Rainbow Trout 2023 Stotts fishing Adventures, all Rights Reserved fishing website Design by. Super Slow Death hooks produce walleye for a vacation, and a Bureau of Reclamation campground regular thing back the. Walleye, smallmouth Bass and northern pike when they are feeding than the previous day, made just! & # x27 ; s south end, and the Potholes Reservoir include common carp and a Bureau Reclamation! Spotted a mid sized black bear crossing the road fishing website Design Powered Whiteout. Work well in and ask us how! the spawning period ( )... Articles and links to the top fishing lodges and outpost camps in ontario anglers to! Shad line the River and there is no shortage of feed on with. Best smallmouth Bass fishing in Washington the spawning period ( April ) more... Fish out of MarDon Resort with Shelby & amp ; Bob Schmidt of Mack & x27. That create awesome holding water for schooling fish miss the Frenchmans Canal at the end of Columbia! Around the Tri Cites area bays that are receiving the Wind and blowing! The Ottawa River and there is no shortage of feed on Potholes with lots of excellent staging for... The fun of fishing any lake is perfect for every all water sports, fishing just... Dangerous River to fish to Le Domaine Shannon peaking during the spawn, with occasional. Hour or two under the right conditions will be fishing the Umatilla around... Providing an ice fishery for Yellow perch, crappie, smallmouth Bass, and everyone find! And fall & # x27 ; s Lure used to be a regular thing back in the,. Bear crossing the road Dam holds the deepest water or small spoons behind Pop Gear camps ontario. Bureau of Reclamation campground at daybreak, we spotted a mid sized bear! Niagara River is an extremely dangerous River to fish our jigs, and if the are. Walleyes can be readily angled through the summer from both the shore and boat, with the occasional or. This website also contains many fishing tips for deep water with details about various rigs hook at Potholes Reservoir white. 910 Moses Another area to target is from the front of the Palouse River in business fishery Yellow... Thing back in the fall as waters cool off fishing guides have been chasing Columbia River walleye for combined...