Lake Geneva Fishing Report 7/3/17 through 7/10/17
Fishing has been very steady on Lake Geneva over the last week. I’ve consistently caught both largemouth and smallmouth in the same water depth, plus there is an ample supply of pan fish and rock bass to be caught.
Largemouth bass have been very active. They can be caught using two different methods. The first is a drop shot rig with a four inch finesse worm or a split shot rigged nightcrawler. The best depth for consistency is 13-14 ft of water. Due to the wind, I’ve been fishing mostly on the south shore. The best location has been by the Yacht Club through South Shore club. When the wind allows, I’ve also been finding fish by the buoy line in Williams Bay in 14 ft of water. Most days the drop shot rig will out produce the nightcrawler.
Smallmouth bass have been in the shallow weeds in 13-14 ft of water. They have been intermixed with the largemouth from the Yacht Club to South Shore Club. Unlike the largemouth, the smallmouth have been preferring a live nightcrawler instead of a plastic worm. As the water warms, the smallmouth bass fishing will become more difficult as the fish will be suspended throughout the water column.
Northern Pike fishing has been slow due to the cooler water temperatures. The thermocline is starting to form but it is very weak. As the summer moves on the thermocline moves from 23 ft of water down to the mid 30’s. The best location for the pike have been in Fontana just outside the moored boats. The best presentation has been medium suckers fished on a lindy rig. With the lindy rig, you want to have constant contact with the bottom.
Bluegills have been sliding out to the deeper edge of the weedline. They are being caught is 17-19 ft of water. They are being caught by Elgin Club or Gage marine. The best bait has been giant reds or leaf worms. You want to fish the leaf worms directly beneath the boat about 1 foot off bottom.
Rock bass fishing has been very good. I’ve been catching them intermixed with the largemouth and smallmouth bass on the south shore. They’ve been biting on white hair jigs or split shot rigged nightcrawlers.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 262-728-8063