I recently had received an invitation from Lonnie on NWFR to take me out for some big walleyes and was excited at the prospect of trying out this fishery. Add to that, the opportunity to stay at one of my favorite destinations, the cabins at Mar Don Resort, and I was chomping at the bit. Unfortunately, Lonnie was unable to make it due to a schedule change, but he very generously left our group with some homemade sling blades to try out. In addition, Shelby Ross of Ross Outdoor Adventures provided some GPS locations to try (which really helps, because it’s a big lake!).Finally, Keith Jensen of Big Wally’s Guide Service recently published a great article on Northwest Fishing Reports about winter walleye fishing techniques. So we had gear, locations, and techniques. We were all ready!

Our group consisted og Gringo Pescador, Paul and Robbie (from NWFR), and myself. We headed east across the Snoqualmie Pass and met our first test – snow at the pass. It wasn’t heavy, but I did feel for Gringo as he was towing his Willie over the top. He told me later “it wasn’t going up I was worried about, it was coming back down the other side”. Well, he did great and we arrived a couple hours later and checked in to our most excellent Cabin #6 at Mar Don. If you have never been to Mar Don, you’re missing out. And in the winter months it’s even nicer. The place is quiet, no crowds, and they have a special stay the second day for half-price. That makes these cabins more than affordable for four guys on a budget. Full kitchen, bath, four beds to sleep in… and that beautiful Potholes sunset to take in.

We had our gear ready and the next morning enjoyed the luxury of sleeping in until 6am, and then making a hot breakfast of bacon and Denver Omelet. After that it was time to put the boat in and try our luck.

The first few hours on the water were pretty cool, and the wind, although not strong, was breezy enough to make it a challenge getting our gear to the bottom. We finally got into a grove and started scratching out some fish. We settled on a combination of slow trolling worm harnesses at 0.6mph and jigging/cast slow retrieve sling blades. We all had two rod endorsements so we fished pretty much eight rods both days, one trolling, one jigging. Our depths for the most part averaged 35-45 feet, sometimes shallower, sometimes deeper. We looked for pinnacles and irregular contours, but we also tried some flats. The deepest walleye came from 52 feet, shallowest was around 30 feet.

The fishing was tough the first day. It was made a little easier thanks to Gringo’s on board grill and Paul’s hot brats lunch. We caught three fish trolling and three on blades this first day. Our fish averaged 13.5 to 15”, so none of the big mamas that can be had for us. We retired to our cabin and enjoyed some beers, Royal Crown whiskey, and pigged out on an Asian menu of stir fry beef and noodles, rice, pot stickers, hum bow, shu mi, and other delicious foods. After that it was off to relax and turn in early for another shot at the walleye.

Sunday came up cold and pier and boat were covered in frost, but the wind was mercifully calm. We set out confident we’d get more fish and come home with a decent catch. Unfortunately, the fishing had taken a turn for the worse, not better. Not one bite did we manage between four guys over seven hours! It was brutal. But hey, it was fishing. I’m not complaining, because I’ve had days on Potholes that were unreal. I also know, based on guide friends like Shelby and Keith that the Potholes can offer up some incredible winter fishing. With no crowds, and plenty of piece and quiet, it’s an overlooked destination for all but the hardcore. It certainly wasn’t any less comfortable than some winter steelhead fishing I’ve done. So, if you’re looking for something different to try in the winter, give Potholes winter walleye a try. Just be sure to bundle up. Better yet, hire a guide to increase your odds of success.

---