Lake Geneva Fishing Report 5.3.15 through 5.10.15
Lake Geneva has an extremely cold water temperature this time of year and the water clarity is very high. This is typical for Opening day of fishing season but it doesn’t always make for the best fishing.
Largemouth bass are active in Abbey Harbor or in Trinkes Bay. They can be caught on split shot rigged nightcrawlers or a green pumpkin Senko. With how cold the water is, use a 4 inch Senko and make long casts to avoid spooking the fish. As the water warms in the next couple of weeks, the bite will improve dramatically.
Smallmouth bass are scattered near their spawning flats. The best approach is small hair jigs in white or silver. Once you find the pods of bait fish, you’ll find actively feeding smallies. They are not associating with any depth at this point, just going where the bait fish go. I catch most of my fish suspended in around 15 ft of water about 5-7 ft below the surface. Good locations are by Elgin Club, Belvidere Park or by Maytag point.
Panfishing has been very spotty. The water temp is just too cold. The best success has been in Trinke Harbor or in Abbey Harbor, just like the largemouth. They are being caught on wax worms and ice jigs fished beneath a bobber.
A few northern pike are being caught in the weed flats either trolling large spinner baits or medium diving crankbaits. The best location has been in Williams Bay or in Trinkes Bay near the country club.
Lake Geneva fishing will be improving with the warming water, it just takes extra time on a body of water this size.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050