Dave Duwe Lake Geneva Fishing Report 10/12/14 through 10/20/14
The fall fishing patterns have started to materialize. The smallmouth bass and the perch are starting to bite. The water temperature has been in the upper 50’s and I don’t believe the lake has turned over yet, but it should occur in the next week or so.
Smallmouth bass fishing has been good. They have been both in the shallow rocks and just outside of the spawning flats. Most of the fish I’ve caught have been by Elgin Club or Belvidere Park. The bigger fish are coming out of the 21-22 ft depth range. The best bait has been either extra large fat head minnows fished on a split shot rig or Carolina Rigging green pumpkin tubes.
Perch fishing has been good. The problem has been finding the bigger fish. For me the best depth has been 12-15 ft of water. Look for them by Gage Marine or by Belvidere Park. I’ve been fishing for them with slip bobber rigs and large fat head minnows.
Northern pike have been biting in the weed flats in Williams Bay or Fontana. They are being caught on extra large shiners or medium suckers. Fish for them using slip bobbers about 2 feet above the weeds. This bite will be improving as the fall moves on.
Rock bass fishing has been slow. The fish are a lot more sporadic than typically. In Geneva, where there is an abundance of rock bass, the fish are becoming scarce. The rock bass I’ve been catching have come off of split shot rigged fat head minnows.
Largemouth bass have been a bit slow. They are being caught in 4-6 ft of water along the shore. They are being caught on white spinner baits or chrome/blue Husky jerk baits. Once the piers start to be removed, the fishing will improve especially with the lake turnover.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050