Delavan Lake 5/15/23 through 5/22/23
With a little warm weather at the beginning of the week the fish became very active, and fishing was outstanding. With some stable weather, fishing should be great.
Walleye Pike can be caught on shallow diving crank baits in 6-8 ft of water. The best time to catch the fish is in the nighttime hours. This is due to the clarity of the water, which is currently ultra clear. You want to cast chrome/blue or chrome/black husky jerks or Smithwick rogues.
Largemouth bass are preparing to spawn with the warming waters. As of Friday, May 13th I saw many fish in the shallows making beds. The best time to fish is when there is very little wind and stable warm temperatures. Most of the fish I’ve been catching are on All Terrain Sticks. Green Pumpkin or Root beer red flake are the best colors, fish them on a 3/0 worm hook. Lakeside, the new bait shop across from the launch, now carries All Terrain Stiks. The best location is anywhere there is sand bottom and scattered weeds, spots like the outlet and Viewcrest channel have been producing the best.
Crappie fishing has been very good. Crappies like the bass, are preparing to spawn. They are in 6-8 ft of water. The best locations have been Willow Point and by Browns Channel. The best presentation was a small fat head minnow fished on a Thill slip bobber. The fish are suspended so I’ve been fishing 4-5 ft down beneath the bobber.
Northern Pike fishing has been good in the shallow weedy bays. The best locations have been Browns Channel, Viewcrest Bay and the Highlands Bay. I’ve been anchoring in 8-10 ft of water and slip bobber fishing large golden shiners. It’s been pretty good action when you find active fish. Another approach is casting white or chartreuse spinner baits. I’ve seen a lot of fish caught in the boat launch channel and by Lake Lawn Lodge.
Bluegills are still loaded into the lake’s channels and shallow water. One of the things that is going on now is that the weed growth is starting to push them deeper. The best action is in 3-4 ft of water. I’ve been using leaf worms fished on a small ice jig underneath a Thill spring bobber.
With stable weather, fishing should continue to improve.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guided parties please call Dave Duwe at 262-728-8063.