The water level is rising, and the water temperature is falling on the Potholes Reservoir. The current water level is 1038.15 — 1.37 feet higher than this time last week. The water temperature is in the low to mid 40’s.

Not a lot to report this week on the fishing side — not that the fish aren’t’ there — just not many anglers on the water. Best bet would be to work the face of the dam with crankbaits, swimbaits, drop-shot baits, and football heads with skirted hula grubs and blade baits for smallmouth bass and walleye. Medicare Beach is producing nice trout both from the beach with Power Bait and from boats trolling Flicker Shads. Fishing the deeper humps between Goose Island trolling Slow Death rigs and vertically jigging ½ — ¾ oz. Flash Blades for walleye has been productive as well.

Duck and goose hunters are finding success. The Northern mallards are continuing to arrive. Teal and Widgeon are also being taken. There are opportunities for geese in the fields as well; mostly little birds right now, but numbers are good.