Lake Geneva Fishing Report 8.3.15 through 8.10.15
Fishing on Lake Geneva has been improving since the formation of the thermocline. Northern Pike and Smallmouth bass action has been very good. Most of the fish are associating with deep water structure in 22-25 ft of water.
Smallmouth bass fishing has been excellent in 22-25 ft of water. You want to key on deep water structure by Yerkes Observatory or by the South Shore club. The smallmouth bass are biting on either drop shot rigs with a Yum Houdini worm in green pumpkin or lindy rigged nightcrawlers. The early morning hours have been producing most of the fish. You have to rely on your fish locator to provide you access to the actively feeding fish. I will not fish a school that aren’t feeding off the bottom. This bite be good through August.
Walleye fishing has been very good at night between the hours of 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. The fish are being caught on large Rapalas or Tommy Harris blades with crawler harnesses. Most of the fish being caught are in Williams Bay or Geneva Bay. The best depth is 15 ft down in 20 ft of water. Nightcrawlers or leeches are working equally well.
With the warmer weather, the larger bluegills are moving to deeper water. The best depth to try for them is 22-24 ft of water. Look for the fish just west of the Elgin club or in front of pier 290. The best approach is straight lining leaf worms underneath the boat.
Lake Trout fishing has been spotty. The biggest problem has been the floating weeds, which are preventing your baits from staying in the strike zone. Most of the action is coming out of the main lake basin in 108-120 ft of water. The best depth for the lures is 70-80 ft down fished on a down rigger. Chrome/blue or chrome/green spoons are producing most of the action.
Northern Pike fishing has been good. The only problem is that the numbers aren’t as large as they have been in recent years. Most of the action is in 30 ft of water. Look for the fish by Black Point or over the bar in Williams Bay. The best bait is a lindy rigged sucker or chub. You want to your lindy rig to have at least a 24 inch leader and a 1/0 hook. Due to the depth you are fishing, the fish feels very light, really just a slight drag on the line. Remember to give them line and let them eat the bait for the best success.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water, for guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050