Dave Duwe Lake Geneva Fishing report 7/14/14 through 7/21/14
Lake Geneva has been producing a lot of fish. The fish have moved from the shallow weed flats to the deep rocky points.
Smallmouth bass are starting to school. The best location has been by the channel by Fontana Beach or by the Yacht Club in Fontana. The best approach is lindy rigging nightcrawlers or medium suckers. The fish are suspended about 1-2 ft off bottom. This bite will continue to improve throughout all of August. You want to use a 3/8 oz walking sinker and a standard hook.
Largemouth bass fishing has been good. They are biting on the top water with chrome and blue chug bug or Pop-r’s. Most of the top water bite is coming out of Williams Bay or Trinkes. The secondary pattern has been the split shot rigged nightcrawler in 15 ft of water. Look for them by Trinkes weed flat or by the Williams Bay weed flat.
Bluegill fishing has been fantastic. The best depth is 15-22 ft of water. Look for the fish by Elgin club or by Gage Marine. The fish are positioned one foot above bottom and are aggressively hitting leaf worms or trout worms. You want to straight line fish beneath the boat for the best success.
Lake Trout fishing remains excellent. The fish are in the main lake basin 90-100 ft down in 120-140 ft of water. You want to use chrome and blue or chrome and green spoons. The best time to try for them is first light.
Northern pike action has been very slow. Typically this time of year, they are located on the thermocline, but this year with the cooler water, the thermocline hasn’t formed yet. Within the next couple of weeks, when the thermocline forms, the northern pike action will be much improved.
Rock bass are in the 12-15 ft depth range. They can be readily caught on a split shot rigged nightcrawler. Look for the fish by Belvidere Park or by the old Military Academy. If you aren’t catching them shallow, look for them a bit deeper.
Walleye action has been very good. All of the action is happening from midnight to 4 a.m. You want to troll large Rapalas in the 12-15 ft depth range for the most success. Make sure that there is wind while you are fishing, the calm nights haven’t been working well.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050