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Late summer, deep fishing

Geneva Lake 9/17/12 through 9/24/12

The late summer patterns are still very much intact. Fishing overall has been good. Fish still remain relatively deep in 15-20 feet of water.

Smallmouth bass are being caught on lindy rigged night crawlers or small yellow perch also lindy-rigged. The best location has been by the old Military Academy or by Holiday Camp. Once you find the fish there isn’t much need to move around.

Bluegill fishing has been very good. The bigger bluegills remain in the 20- to 24-foot depth range. You want to straight-line leaf worms right beneath the boat. Look for the fish by the Yacht Club or over by the Military Academy. Elgin Club has also been producing some nice fish.

Rock bass fishing has been very good. Most of the fish I’ve been catching are in the 12- to 14-foot depth range. The fish are by Belividere Park or by Elgin Club. Making a drift from Knollwood to Elgin or vice versa has been producing some of the best catches I’ve had in recent weeks. With the cooling water temperatures, the rock bass will start hitting hair jigs or minnows better than they have the past month or so.

Walleye fishing has been relatively good at night. You want to troll large Rapala’s. The best location has been by Abbey Springs or over by Yerkes Observatory. Work a depth of 12-15 feet of water.

Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at (608) 883-2050

Delavan Lake 9/17/12 through 9/24/12

For the most part, fishing on Delavan Lake has been quite spotty. The few times I was out, I got extremely lucky finding some active fish. The fish aren’t in a “normal” pattern right now as we transition from summer patterns to fall.

Bluegill fishing has been average. I’ve been catching most of my fish in the weeds in 10-12 feet of water. Most of the action has come from Viewcrest or by the Marina on the north shore. I’ve been straight lining leaf worms right beneath the boat.

Largemouth bass have been scattered throughout the weed line. I’ve found that they haven’t been as schooled up as normal with the cooling water temperatures. I’m finding the fish in mid-range weeds. The best depth for me has been 12-15 feet. The only thing I’ve been able to catch fish on has been night crawlers. I’ve also tried slip bobbering medium suckers but that hasn’t been working as well. With some cooler weather, the fish will be turning to fat head minnows within the next couple of weeks.

Northern pike action has been steady. There has not been large numbers of fish caught but if you concentrate your efforts, you’ll be able to catch a few every trip. Most of my success is coming out of the 16- to 17-foot weeds. You want to lindy rig medium suckers. Look for the fish by the Village Supper Club or over by Assembly Park.

Walleye fishing has been kind of slow. We are about three weeks away from the start of some of the best walleye fishing Delavan has to offer. The most success I’ve heard has been on leeches fished by the marina in 20 feet of water. The peak time to catch them is in the evening right before dusk.

Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at (608) 883-2050

Daily Reports

9/16/12 Lauderdale Lakes, sunny 70 degrees, light winds out of the east at 5 mph. Caught 10 largemouth bass--most were small--and a handful of pan fish. Caught some of the fish on slip bobbers and a split shot rigged worm. Most of the action came in Green Lake near the Girl Scout Camp. The key was scattered weeds in 15 feet of water. The thicker weeds didn't have much action.

9/15/12 Delavan Lake, sunny, 70 degrees, light winds out of the north at 5 mph. Caught eight largemouth bass and 20 bluegills that we kept. Tried fishing main lake points again, but the fish have moved off of them, they were in 12 feet of water in scattered weeds. The best approach remains split shot rigged night crawlers.

9/13/12 Delavan Lake, cloudy, N wind at 15 mph, air temp 65, water temp 70 degrees. Caught 15 largemouth, three were legal and 30 bluegills. Tried fishing the main lake points without much success, switched to 12 feet of water by Viewcrest and caught most of our fish. The 30 degree cold front had little effect on the fishing. All fish were caught on a split shot rigged night crawlers.

Dave Duwe has been a fishing guide on Delavan and Geneva lakes for nearly 20 years. Dave is a community blogger and is not a part of Walworth County Today staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of Walworth County Today staff or management.