Post by: gasman on February 19, 2017, 12:55:31 PM
Are the boat launches even accessible?
I'm getting antsy for some walleye fishing.
Post by: Griz231 on February 19, 2017, 01:08:46 PM
Post by: buckcanyonlodge on February 19, 2017, 01:36:33 PM
Post by: plugger on February 19, 2017, 03:24:25 PM
Post by: Ripper on February 20, 2017, 10:51:09 AM
Post by: C-Money on February 20, 2017, 12:16:17 PM
Post by: jessie88 on February 20, 2017, 02:02:31 PM
Post by: C-Money on February 20, 2017, 05:37:47 PM
Post by: gasman on February 20, 2017, 06:31:03 PM
Post by: Encore 280 on February 20, 2017, 06:45:23 PM
Post by: plugger on February 20, 2017, 07:06:48 PM
Post by: jessie88 on February 20, 2017, 07:40:54 PM
Post by: C-Money on February 20, 2017, 08:57:39 PM
Post by: lokidog on February 20, 2017, 09:24:42 PM
Post by: jessie88 on February 21, 2017, 08:50:44 AM
16" minimum was working very well. Hope Moses and Banks are going to fish well this year.
i wonder if they will change the regs again if the numbers stay low. i guess having the walleye numbers down will help the bluegill and crappie fishing again though so thats a plus.
Post by: C-Money on February 21, 2017, 08:59:40 AM
Post by: Skillet on February 21, 2017, 09:22:39 AM
My guess is it will be a couple years before it comes back if there was a successful spawn the last few tears. Way to many fish taken out of the system. Way more people fishing them with all the other fisheries getting cut back. I would think next year you will start to see the smaller fish start showing up, 12 to 14 inchers. It will take awhile to get a few age classes built back up. Something to think about when everyone is killing those big females. You want good consistent fishing, then its up to us to manage it that way, the state isn't going to do it.
It's definitely not the case that "everyone is killing those big females." Been fishing walleye for a lot of years, cashed a few tournament checks as well. One thing I know to be true is that people who consistently catch the big fish typically release the big fish. I don't begrudge anybody their perogative to legally keep a walleye of any size for the dinner plate. Even the occasional big one that they luck onto. The spillway used to be a problem, but the regs regarding that seems to have slowed down the snagfest significantly.
As far as waiting for ice out, if you want a shot at a big walleye your opportunity is right now. Best to find some moving walleye water (hint: it rhymes with Bolumbia) and get on it.
Post by: plugger on February 21, 2017, 07:12:19 PM
Post by: Skillet on February 21, 2017, 10:17:43 PM
But I'll never lecture a guy at the cleaning station. It's his perogative.
I saw a monster walleye some years back in a cooler full of trout at 7 bays when a guy was trailering his boat. His young kid kept looking in the cooler on the dock every 30 seconds, so I went over and asked what he had in there. He hefted up a big ol walleye, way over 10#. Caught it trolling a wedding ring and a worm out over deep water. Total fluke. No way was I going to rain on this kid's parade.
Post by: C-Money on February 22, 2017, 07:33:02 AM
Post by: Angry Perch on February 22, 2017, 08:21:27 AM
Post by: rasbo on February 22, 2017, 08:55:07 AM
Post by: Blacklab on February 22, 2017, 09:19:03 AM
Post by: jessie88 on February 22, 2017, 10:53:18 AM
Bluegills were thick as flies on traditional walleye grounds last year. I could not fish worm harness rigs on some of my old honey holes cause of all the gills! I will be surprised if walleye fishing is good this year on Potholes. To many clues pointing towards a low population.]
dang haha wish i knew where to get gills. ive never hooked one on potholes in all the time ive spent trolling.
Post by: Bill W on February 22, 2017, 11:42:25 AM
Post by: BigGoonTuna on February 23, 2017, 08:04:13 AM
I remember how great the spiny ray fishing was when i was a kid. Seems like all i catch there any more are walleye and bass.
Post by: jessie88 on February 23, 2017, 08:17:03 AM
I found a dead one washed up at the mar don swim beach about 20 years ago. Had to have been nearly 2 pounds!
I remember how great the spiny ray fishing was when i was a kid. Seems like all i catch there any more are walleye and bass.
im sure the introduction of walleye decades ago took a huge toll on the panfish.
Post by: Cap.Silver on February 23, 2017, 10:23:45 AM
Post by: Bill W on February 23, 2017, 10:35:54 AM
Post by: rasbo on February 23, 2017, 11:39:44 AM
Ice report: One guy out fishing on Moses today when I drove back from town.he looked so lonely too,went to sportsman grand opening,and then sportees for breakfast,came back through mardon,didnt see anyone there either
Post by: gasman on February 23, 2017, 12:32:25 PM
There is no walleye in Potholes :chuckle:
Not for you at least.
Post by: plugger on February 23, 2017, 01:04:23 PM
Post by: jessie88 on March 04, 2017, 12:24:13 PM
Post by: Bill W on March 04, 2017, 03:04:21 PM
Post by: plugger on March 05, 2017, 11:46:19 AM
Post by: BigGoonTuna on March 05, 2017, 04:18:51 PM
Or the thousands of comerants, pelicans and grebs that hang out there all spring and summerfunny thing, on family trips 20+ years ago we would stay at mar don and spend the days out on goose island fishing and playing on the beach. the last time i was out there it was deemed some kind of sanctuary for those nasty caspian terns - the ones that kill salmon smolts by the thousands in the columbia river. the water around the islands was disgusting too, with rafts of floating bird crap everywhere.
Post by: plugger on March 05, 2017, 04:51:11 PM
Post by: lokidog on March 05, 2017, 09:41:07 PM
I found a dead one washed up at the mar don swim beach about 20 years ago. Had to have been nearly 2 pounds!
I remember how great the spiny ray fishing was when i was a kid. Seems like all i catch there any more are walleye and bass.
BTW walleye aND bass are both spiny rays. ;)
Post by: Bill W on March 06, 2017, 09:13:54 AM
Post by: Da stump on March 06, 2017, 04:18:57 PM
There is no walleye in Potholes :chuckle:
Nope none at all so just bypass the whole area, pay no attention to the boats out fishing, they don't know what they are doing. I heard down in yakima there is great fishing.
Dale