On the Lakes: Plenty of hot bites now

Dave Duwe | August 8, 2017

Geneva Lake Fishing Report 8/6/17 through 8/13/17

Fishing on Geneva Lake remains very consistent. Even with the cold front that came through this past week, the fishing was only minimally affected. The summer patterns are in full swing. The biggest fish are deep, greater than 20 feet for most species.

I've been catching some very nice largemouth bass in 21-22 feet of water by Stone Manor and Linn Pier. The bigger fish are coming off a drop shot rig in green pumpkin or root beer with red flake color. The dropper length I prefer is 1 foot beneath the hook.

Bluegill fishing has been fantastic by Elgin Club and by Gage Marine. Like the largemouth bass, the best depth is 21-22 feet of water. They can be readily seen on your Humminbird Graph. The best approach is a simple split shot rig fished straight beneath the boat with a tight line. Use trout worms or leaf worms for the best action.

Lake trout fishing remains a hot bite on the lake. The fish are in the main lake basin between Conference Point, Cedar Point and Black Point. I like to fish a circle around these points. The early morning hours seem to produce the most fish. The fish are located 69-70 feet down in 108-110 feet of water. Silver spoons fished behind a small dodger have been working as has the dodger and fly combination that you would use on Lake Michigan.

Smallmouth bass fishing continues to be challenging. The best action has been by the Lake Geneva Yacht Club or by Elgin Club. The fish have been very spread out and hard to pattern which is typical for this time of year. They are busy chasing the pods of bait fish so you need to find those first. Try for them using a small grub or white hair jig. The depth I've been finding them is about 15 feet down in 25 feet of water.

Walleye fishing remains excellent at night. Large Rapalas trolled 170 feet back from the planer boards has been producing good action. The best location has been in Trinkes Bay or by Abbey Springs.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 262-728-8063.

Delavan Lake Fishing Report 8/7/17 through 8/13/17

This past week we had some very warm weather early and ended with the most severe cold front we've had all year. Even with the 30 degree swing the fishing remained fairly consistent.

Bluegills have again started to bite just off the weed line in 15-18 feet of water. The best location has been by Assembly Park or by Browns Channel. Split shot rigged leaf worms fished directly underneath the boat have been producing most of the fish.

Walleye fishing remains spotty. I'm catching a couple here and there but there isn't a real discernible pattern. Leeches fished on a split shot or lindy rig have been producing most of the action. The best depth has been off the weed lines in 22-24 feet of water. I've been catching most of my fish near Assembly Park or just west of Willow Point.

Northern pike action has remained pretty good. The fish remain in 17-21 feet of water. Most of the best action is on the west end by the old Boy Scout Camp. Lindy rigged suckers fished about 1 foot off bottom or suckers fished on a slip bobber have been working well.

Largemouth bass fishing has remained steady. The best fishing has been in 15-17 feet of water. You want to look for sand pockets in the weed lines for the best success. This time of year the bass school up so if you catch one you are likely to catch a couple more so don't move on too soon. Drop shot rigging 4 inch plastic worms or night crawlers have been producing the best action. Look for the fish near Three Flags or the Del Mar subdivision.

Crappies have been suspending in the main lake basin. They are chasing insects and other prey on the surface. They are easy to locate on calm days as they breach the surface. Cast a small 1/32-oz. jig with plastic twister tail into that area. The best location has been the marina or by the Village Supper Club.

Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 262-728-8063 .