Dave Duwe Delavan Lake Fishing Report 6/22/14 through 6/30/14
The water has been warming. Like Lake Geneva, Delavan fish are in the early summer patterns about a week or two later than normal. Boat traffic is intense, so get to the lake early for the best fishing and plan to be off the water by late morning.
I had my first northern pike fishing trip of the season. The fish are not in great abundance on the deep weedline (15-20 ft of water) yet. The fish I did catch there were above average in size. The best location was by Browns Channel and west of the Yacht Club. For northern pike, I like a ¾ oz walking sinker a 1/0 hook fished on a 24 inch leader. The fish are still working their way to the deep weedline and this bite should improve in the coming weeks.
Largemouth bass are pulling out of the shallow weeds and moving to the deep weedlines. Most of the success for me is coming out of 12-15 ft of water. You can catch the fish on a black/blue jig or a deep diving crankbait in fire tiger pattern. Look for the fish by the Delavan Lake Marina or by Browns Channel. With my guide customers, I’ve been using live bait and a split shot rigged nightcrawler or leech have also been producing fish.
Bluegill fishing has been on the slow side since the spawn has been completed. Most of the fish I’ve been catching are coming off the 10-12 ft weedline. The fish are being caught on split shot rigged leaf worms. When the fish are in the deeper water, there isn’t a need for a bobber. Once you get into an aggressive school, you can free swim the worm. The deep water bluegill bite will continue to improve into July.
Crappies have been suspending on the outside of the weedlines in 12-15 ft of water. You can catch the fish on purple and chartreuse plastics. You want to fish the plastics on a 1/32 oz lead head jig. Pink headed jigs have been producing the most action. Look for the fish by Belvidere Park or just outside of the Brown Channel weedline.
Walleye fishing has been kind of slow. Most of the action has been coming after a strong rain storm in the creek channels. The best approach has been a split shot rigged jumbo leech. You want to cast out and let the leech free swim with the current.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050