Reels
Abu Garcia Revo SX Baitcasting Reel
A reliable baitcaster for jigs, Texas rigs, and moving baits.
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A desert reservoir with sand dunes and flooded willows full of bass and walleye.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Potholes Reservoir for largemouth bass, yellow perch and walleye. The best months overall are Mar to Jun, Sep to Oct. In October, largemouth bass, yellow perch and walleye are in season, and Soft Stick Bait, Bass Jig and Spinnerbait are a good place to start. There are 3 shops within 45 miles (1 fly, 2 bait and tackle); the closest is Sportsman's Warehouse in Moses Lake, 12 mi away. Rocky Ford Creek is 26 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.
Best Months
Mar to Jun, Sep to Oct
In October
Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Walleye
Methods
Spin, cast & bait
Season at a Glance
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What You'll Catch
Potholes Reservoir Species
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
13 picks for October. ● means in season that month.
Soft Stick Bait 4 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureBass Jig 3/8 to 1 oz
LureJig · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureSpinnerbait 3/8 to 3/4 oz
LureMoving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Stained water.
Shop This LureBladed Jig 3/8 to 1/2 oz
LureMoving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Around grass.
Shop This LureSquarebill Crankbait 1.5 to 2.5 in
LureCrankbait · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureLipless Crankbait 1/2 to 3/4 oz
LureCrankbait · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureWalking Topwater 4 to 5 in
LureTopwater · Largemouth Bass · Low light.
Shop This LureSuspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in
LureHard Bait · Walleye · After dark.
Shop This LurePaddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Walleye
Shop This LureCrappie Jig 1/32 to 1/8 oz
LureJig · Yellow Perch
Shop This LureJig and Minnow 1/8 to 3/8 oz
LureJig · Walleye
Shop This LureLive Minnows 1 to 3 in
BaitLive Bait · Walleye, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass
Nightcrawlers Whole or half
BaitLive Bait · Yellow Perch
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Rod & Reel
Recommended Setups
Largemouth Bass
Fly 9 ft 7 or 8 wt rod, bass-taper floating line, 12 to 16 lb leader for poppers and divers.
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting rod, 7:1 reel, 15 lb fluorocarbon or 50 lb braid around heavy cover.
Yellow Perch
Spin / Cast 6 ft ultralight spinning rod or ice rod, 4 lb line, perch spreader or small jig.
Walleye
Spin / Cast 6.5 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid with a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Matched to These Species
Gear for Potholes Reservoir
Rigs
Mack's Lure Wedding Ring Spinner
Small spinners tipped with corn or maggots for kokanee and perch.
Check PriceCrankbaits
Rapala Shad Rap
A tight-wobbling crankbait that walleye anglers troll and cast.
Check PriceReels
Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo
Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.
Check PriceRods
St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.
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Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament
Limp, easy-casting mono for spinning reels and general fishing.
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Seaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon
Low-visibility fluorocarbon for leaders and clear water.
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Within 45 Miles
Shops Near Potholes Reservoir
Bait & Tackle
Sportsman's Warehouse
Moses Lake, Washington· 12 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Moses Lake, WA.
Bait & Tackle
Columbia Basin Bait
West Richland, Washington· 45 mi
Bait and tackle shop in West Richland, WA.
Make It a Trip
Nearby Water
Rivers & Streams · Washington · 26 mi
Rocky Ford Creek
A spring creek in the desert with large, selective rainbows fished from the bank.
Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Washington · 57 mi
Yakima River
Washington's only Blue Ribbon trout river, with year-round fishing in the canyon.
Rainbow Trout · Cutthroat Trout