Dave Duwe Lake Geneva Fishing report 7/7/14 through 7/13/14
With the warm weather, the lake has been in a transition period. There are still some fish to be caught shallow, however they are starting to push out to the deeper weedlines and become more scattered. There is a bit more searching involved than fishing one small spot as we can when they are shallow.
The best location for largemouth bass has been in Williams Bay or by Belvidere Park. On the mornings without wind, the top water bite has been very good, either chrome/blue chug bugs or Pop-R’s have been producing most of the action. The best depth has been 10-12 ft of water, you want to fish in and around the weed patches. The secondary pattern is drop shotting small Houdini worms in green pumpkin color. Nightcrawlers can still catch fish no matter where you are located. Use a 3/0 split shot and a single hook. Position the split shot about 18 inches above the hook. You want to slowly back troll or drift with the wind for the best action.
Bluegills have been off the weedline in 15-18 ft of water. They can be caught on leaf worms fished on a split shot rig. Look for them by Elgin Club, the Military Academy or by Trinkes. I’ve been fishing the leaf worms directly beneath the boat and positioning the bait about 1 foot off bottom.
Smallmouth bass fishing has slowed tremendously. The fish are off the weed flats and are out chasing suspended pods of bait fish. I’m only catching a few each time out, which is significantly lower than previous weeks. You want to fish the smallies with medium diving crank baits in a crayfish pattern or a lindy rigged nightcrawler. Most of the fish I’ve been catching have been by Linn Pier or by Belvidere Park.
Northern Pike fishing hasn’t really kicked in yet due to the cooler than normal summer. I tried for an hour last week and only had one fish on. Once the weather gets warmer the fish will be on the thermocline which should occur in the next week or so. I’ve tried in Williams Bay and Fontana beach I fished the water depth of 23-30 ft of water. I’ll check again for them next week.
Lake Trout fishing has slowed slightly. I went out last week for a few hours and didn’t boat a fish. They were on the fish locator but didn’t have any interest in biting. They appeared to be 90 ft down in 114-122 ft of water. When they bite it will be on chrome/blue or chrome/green spoons.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050