Delavan Lake 5/27/12 through 6/3/12
Happy Memorial Day! While Memorial Day kicks off summer, it also kicks off the pleasure boat traffic on Delavan. Be prepared to fish early and have some patience at the boat ramps. The Sunday of Memorial Day weekend was the busiest I’ve seen the lake ever and that’s in 20 years of guiding.
Fishing has been outstanding. Due to the rain event on Saturday, it seemed to push the largemouth bass right on shore. We were catching most of our largemouth bass in 4-5 ft of water on the inside of the weedline. The best success came off of split shot rigged nightcrawlers. The best location was by Browns Channel and west of Willow Point. Most of the bass I caught appeared to be spawned out. Within the next couple weeks almost all of the fish will be on the weedline.
Bluegills haven’t spawned yet. They are in 2-4 ft of water in and around the boat docks. The most consistent bite has been by Lake Lawn or just west of Willow Point. I’ve been using bobbers and small ice jigs with leaf worms. The bluegills will be spawning in the next week or so and then moving to the deep weedline.
Walleyes are situated on the deep weedline in 15-20 ft of water. They can be caught lindy rigging or a split shot with a single hook and a leech or nightcrawlers. The best time to catch them is in low light conditions with a slight breeze. The flat calm days do not seem very productive for me. Look for the fish by Delmar or by the Belvidere condos.
The smallmouth bass have been really active. I’ve been catching 3 to 6 every time out. They seem to be in the 12 ft depth range. I’m catching quite a few in the 12-15 inch size class. My success has been coming off of nightcrawlers on a lindy rig. I’ve been using a 24 inch leader with an 1/8 oz sinker and a painted hook. The best location I’ve found has been by Delmar.
Northern pike have moved out of the shallows and are on the weedlines in 16-18 ft of water. Lindy rigging medium suckers close to bottom is the best bet. The best locations have been by Browns Channel and Belvidere condos. My lindy rig consists of a 1/0 hook and a ¾ oz lindy sinker with a 20 inch leader. I only use monofilament in 20 lb test. Once the fish bites, you want to position the boat straight over the top of the fish so you don’t drag your line over its teeth.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050