The water level continues to rise and the water temperature on the main lake is 39.7 degrees with lower temps back in the sand dunes. The current water level is 1,040.35 feet, which is just about 6 inches higher than this time last week. The Reservoir is currently 6.15 feet below full pool of 1,046.50 feet.

Fishing

Not much change from last week — not many people fishing — but the fish are there. Best bet is to blade bait the humps in 20 feet in the morning moving to 35-40 feet as the day goes on. Fish ½ oz. blade baits in either silver or gold, or troll crawler harnesses on a 2-oz. bottom walker. The face of the dam is still producing walleye, smallmouth and trout. Crankbaits, swimbaits, dropshot baits and football heads with skirted hula grubs and blade baits are the top baits on the dam.

Hunting

The Northern birds are beginning to show up as evidenced by the number of mallards and Snow Geese that arrived this past week. We saw the first flight of approximately 800 Snow Geese set down on the Reservoir Dec. 7. With highs in the mid 30’s and lows in the low 20’s projected through Dec. 17, more birds will be showing up. The current ducks have become somewhat “educated” but new birds continue to arrive.

We have had several pleasant surprises on our goose hunts lately. A Dec. 3 goose hunt produced limits of geese with 44 mallards. Another hunt brought in 18 geese and a 49 bag of mallards and widgeons.

For the latest hunting and fishing info, call the MarDon Store at (509)346-2651.