Autumn in the Columbia Basin is a great time to be outdoors, and if you’re a bi-sportsman — that is, a hunter and a fisherman — the “seep lakes” below Potholes Reservoir in Grant County offer a good opportunity for a combo trip. Trout and ducks. Geese and walleye. Pheasant and bass, or crappie, or perch and on and on. Toss a couple of rods in with the shell vest, and maybe a small inflatable, and you’re in business.
Right now, Mike Meseberg of MarDon Resort on the reservoir recommends Soda Lake for walleye; Windmill, Canal and Heart lakes for trout; and the west end of Corral Lake for a shot at big triploids.
The Resort fishing pier has been putting out crappie, perch and trout, and trolling on the reservoir is lights out for smallish walleye and larger fish to 12 to 14 pounds.
Bank fishermen in the seeps soak Powerbait or worm/marshmallow combinations, or cast small spoons such as the Dick Nite, or spinner flies such as the Rooster Tail, tipped with a piece of worm. Boaters with a cartopper, pontoon boat or other inflatable troll the same gear, or a Wedding Ring spinner in red, orange or pink, also with a worm.
MarDon Resort’s tackle shop has free maps of the seep lakes, and free advice on where to go and how to fish ‘em. Call 800-416-2736.
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