On the Lakes: Cooler temperatures slow fishing a bit
PrintDelavan Lake fishing report 8/31/15 through 9/6/15
With the cooler weather, the water temperature has dropped seven to eight degrees in the course of a week. The fish are starting to go into their fall patterns. They are starting to feed on minnows instead of night crawlers.
Northern pike fishing has been above average. The fish are being caught on Thill Big fish slip bobbers in 10-12 feet of water or lindy rigged suckers off the break line in 15 feet of water. Look for the fish just west of Willow Point and by the gray condos. As the water cools more, the activity will continue to increase.
Largemouth bass fishing has been spotty. The best success has been right on the weed line in 12-15 feet of water. The best location has been by the Delavan Yacht Club point and by Browns Channel. The fish are starting to bite almost exclusively on Fat head minnows fished on a split shot rig or lindy rigged medium suckers in 18 feet of water.
Bluegill fishing has been good by Assembly Park. The fish are in 10-12 feet of water. They are being caught on Thill slip bobbers with leaf worms or fishing a single hook split shot rig straight beneath the boat about 1 foot off bottom. In the next few weeks, the bluegills will start migrating into the deeper main lake basin and suspend in 30-35 feet of water. Once that happens look for them by the Village Supper Club or off of Assembly Park point.
Walleye fishing has been slow. Most of the fish are in 20-22 feet of water. They are biting on lindy rigged night crawlers or leeches. Look for the fish by the Village Supper Club or by Three Flags. Walleye fishing will improve as the fall progresses and the water cools. You want to look for the fish at night and use Rapalla Husky Jerk baits in chrome and blue.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050.
Geneva Lake fishing report 8/31/15 through 9/6/15
Overall the fishing on Lake Geneva has slowed a bit. With the change in weather conditions, the fish are starting to go from their deep water summer haunts to the shallow weed lines. The best bite on the lake is largemouth bass.
Largemouth bass can be caught by Trinkes or in Geneva Bay in 15-20 feet of water. The best presentation is dragging foot ball head jigs tipped with an Arkie Crawlin grub in green pumpkin. The fish are located in the hard sand bottom pockets in the weed flats.
Walleye fishing has been good at night when the winds are blowing. The fish can be caught by the channel at Abbey Harbor or by Trinkes weed line. At Trinkes you want to troll large Rapala's in chrome/blue and chrome/black. If you are fishing Abbey Harbor try using lindy rigged leeches. The best depth is 15-20 feet of water in either location.
Bluegill action has been very good in 16-19 feet of water. You want to fish the bluegills by Elgin Club and by Gage Marine. The best bait is leaf worms on a split shot rig straight beneath the boat.
Small mouth bass fishing has been improving. They are relating to deep water structure in 22-30 feet of water. The best location has been by the Highlands or by South Shore Club. They are following the pods of shiner minnows. As the water temperature cools the bite will improve as they move shallow. The best approach for the shallow fish is lindy rigging night crawlers or large fat head minnows.
Rock bass fishing has been good in the deeper water. The larger fish are found in the 22- to 30-foot depth range. They are biting on either night crawlers or fat head minnows. Try a drop shot rig or a lindy rig.
Northern pike action has been above average in 28-33 feet of water. Use lindy rigged suckers right on bottom. Make sure that when you get a bite, you give the fish 30 seconds to one minute for them to eat the bait. Maintain a vertical hook set, this will eliminate the teeth from cutting the line. Look for the fish just east of Cedar Point or by Abbey Springs.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050.