Lake Geneva Fishing Report 7/17/17 through 7/23/17
Lake Geneva is in its standard mid-summer patterns. All the rain last week slowed the fishing slightly, however the water clarity on the lake remains very good.
Largemouth bass are in the deep weedline. The best depth is 15-18 ft of water. This is slightly shallower than normal. The best approach has been drop shotting 4 inch Chomper worms. The best length from the hook to the sinker is almost exactly one foot. My best spots have been by Covenant Harbor or by the Yacht Club. Presently artificial drop shot rigs are outfishing nightcrawlers by about 3:1.
Musky action has been very good in the last week. The best success has come either trolling large crank baits in 12 ft of water by Trinkes or the narrows or by casting large buck tails over the shallow weeds. The best success has been coming at first light before the sun gets too high and the boat traffic increases. The success is coming about one fish every six hours of fishing time. The fish are ranging between 36 and 40 inches.
Smallmouth bass fishing has been rather slow. The bass have become more scattered and aren’t on any real firm pattern. I’ve been catching them here and there but nothing consistent. This is typical for this time of year as the fish are chasing pods of bait fish throughout the water column.
Bluegills have moved into their deep water summer haunts. The bigger bluegills are being found by Gage Marine and in between the Elgin Club and Knollwood. The best depth has been 20-21 ft of water. You want to fish for them straight beneath the boat using a split shot rigged leaf worm. It seems that the deeper the bluegills are the bigger the size when you find an active school.
Northern Pike action has been good. The fish are in 30 ft of water on the thermocline. The best approach is lindy rigging medium suckers. My best action has been in Fontana by the boat launch or in Williams Bay on the east shore. I’ve been back trolling between 25 and 35 ft of water.
Rock bass fishing has slowed which is probably good for most people as they tended to be disruptive when fishing for other species. They can still be found in 15-16 ft of water in and around the largemouth. The schools of them have dissipated so they are more hit or miss now.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties please call Dave Duwe at 262-728-8063