On the Lakes: Boat traffic up, fishing good
Geneva Lake fishing report 7/6/15 through 7/12/15
Geneva Lake fishing continues to be the best it's been in several years. Even though the water has been warming daily, the smallmouth and largemouth have remained in the shallow water and are actively feeding.
The smallmouth bass fishing has been very good in 12-15 feet of water. The best locations have been by Knollwood and the Elgin Club. As the water has been warming, they've been moving deeper daily. They are starting to move into the main lake basin so watch for them to continue moving from the spawning flats to the first break line. They can be caught on lindy rigged night crawlers or leeches. The bigger fish have been coming out of the slightly deeper water of 15 feet. Over the course of the next several weeks they will have moved to 18-24 feet of water.
Largemouth bass fishing has been simply fantastic. The best depth is 8-12 feet of water. The best location has been by Trinke's and just west of Coleman's Point. You can catch them in the early morning on top water lures. Try chrome and blue chug bugs or Texas rigged plastic worms in black or green pumpkin. The largemouth bass fishing is the best it has been in many years, with double digit catches very consistently.
Lake trout fishing remains excellent. With all of the water skiing and water sports the floating weeds are starting to be a factor. The fish remain suspended in the early morning hours and as the sun rises they are locating closer to bottom. They are being found in 108 to 120 feet of water. Down riggers fished with chrome/blue or chrome/green spoons have been the most productive.
Bluegill fishing has been very good. The best location has been between Elgin Club and Knollwood in 12-15 feet of water. A lot of the Pumpkin Seeds are in excess of 10 inches. I've been catching them on leaf worms fished on a split shot rig. Like the smallmouth bass, as the water warms, they will be moving deeper. The biggest fish in mid-summer tend to be in 18-24 feet of water.
Northern pike fishing has been slower than normal due to the cooler water temperatures. Usually by this time of year the thermocline has formed; however, this year it has yet to form. Within the next couple of weeks, the pike fishing should improve. For the best success, I start in 27 feet of water and move deeper from there. Lindy rigged chubs and suckers are the best approach.
Walleye fishing has been excellent at nights when there has been wind. Trolling large Rapallas in Williams Bay and Trinke's have been producing most of the fish. The ideal time is midnight to 4 a.m.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050.
Delavan Lake fishing report 7/6/15 thru 7/12/15
With the holiday weekend, fishing was a little tougher due to the heavy fishing pressure. The boats can be stacked several deep in the best fishing spots, so patience is required. Go early for the best success. The fishing overall has been consistent with this time of year with several species available for the catch.
Largemouth bass are located on the main lake points in 15-18 feet of water. They can be caught on drop shot rigged finesse worms in green pumpkin or black/blue chatter baits. The best locations have been by the concrete point and the Delavan Yacht Club. The secondary pattern has been in the ultra-shallow slop in less than two feet of water. They are being caught on scum frogs by the boat launch channel and north of North Shore Drive. The best days to fish the scum frog have been bright sunny days, and use black or white frogs.
Northern pike fishing has been all right. A lot of the smaller fish have a virus on their skin and don't look too healthy. The larger fish look fine though. I've been lindy rigging large suckers in 20-24 feet of water. It seems that the bigger suckers have been producing most of the fish. Five- to six-inch suckers have been limited in their success, so, use a 7-inch or larger bait. Look for the fish by the clock tower by Willow Point or by the gray condos.
Bluegill fishing has been good. My best success has been off the buoy line by Viewcrest Estates. I've been fishing leaf worms on a split shot rig in 12-15 feet of water. The bluegills appear to be substantially bigger than the last few years.
Walleye fishing remains very consistent. The walleyes that are being caught have been found in 12-20 feet of water. Jumbo leeches or night crawlers have been working equally well. I've been using a split shot or a lindy rig for presentation. I prefer a painted chartreuse hook and a 24-inch leader. I have been sporadically catching them while fishing for bluegills and largemouth bass so I have yet to find a heavy concentration of walleyes.
Crappie fishing has been good. The fish are positioned on the 12-foot weed line. The best location has been by Belvidere Park and just west of Willow Point. You want to use a 1/32-oz. jig with a chartreuse or purple plastic trailer. The best approach has been a stop-and-go-retrieve.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050.