Delavan Lake Fishing Report 7/3/16 through 7/10/16
Even though you’ve read reports about the blue-green algae, the fishing remains very good. All the species are in their summer patterns and biting aggressively. Because of the algae, pleasure boat traffic has been substantially less than normal this time of year. I’m not an expert on the algae, but I don’t think I’ve seen any on the lake.
Bluegill fishing has been very good in 13-14 ft of water. The best location has been by Browns Channel or by Willow Point. The best presentation I’ve found has been a small split shot and a leaf worm. I’ve been fishing right beneath the boat. If you aren’t catching keeper sized fish, move to a new location as the fish have been schooling up in size classes.
Largemouth bass fishing has been very good. You want to concentrate on the main lake weed points in 15-17 ft of water. A lot of success has come just east of the Yacht club or by Browns Channel. The fish can be caught by drop shotting green pumpkin finesse worms or on a split shot rigged nightcrawler. With the warmer water temperatures the frog bite will start to improve by north shore drive and by the boat launch channel. The best colors are black or white frogs. You want to fish the frogs on fire line. The key to frog fishing is not setting the hook until you feel the fish on your line.
The northern pike have moved off the weedline into deeper water due to the warming water temperatures. The fish have been in 20-22 ft of water. The best success has been by the gray condos or on the weedline by Browns Channel. You want to fish medium suckers on lindy rigs about 1 foot off bottom. The best presentation is slowly back trolling with the electric trolling motor.
Smallmouth bass action has been very good. The fish are off the weed line in 16-17 ft of water. The best bait has been nightcrawlers fished on a split shot rig. There have been pockets of fish near willow point or by the Village Supper club. The average size has been relatively small, but if you keep after it, you’ll catch some decent sized fish.
Yellow Perch have been biting around the piers by Assembly Park or by the channel by the golf course. The best approach has been hellgrammites or small leaf worms. Try for them with slip bobbers about 1 ft off the weeds.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050