Delavan Lake Fishing Report 10-1-12
The most important thing to realize is that the lake is very low. You need to travel out of the boat launch area with great caution. The Delavan Lake Sanitary district says the lake is 10 ½ inches low, but it appears 2-3 ft low to me. Overall, the fishing has been on the slow side. The best action has been coming at night or first light. The water temperature has been a bit unusual. The lake would like to turnover, but it’s just not cold enough for it to turn yet.
Northern Pike action has been average in 12-15 ft of water. Slip bobbers with medium suckers have been producing most of the fish. Look for the fish associated with weed flats, such as Viewcrest and the Highland Bay. It has been rather slow, but if you give it enough time you should be able to catch a few fish.
With the water temperature cooling, the largemouth bass have been moving shallow. They are in the 12-14 ft depth range. They can be caught on a split shot rigged nightcrawler or minnow. You need to keep the boat moving to find the active fish. The best location has been by the Oriental boathouse or by Viewcrest Bay.
Bluegill fishing has been a bit slow as well. I don’t know if the fish are deeper than I’m fishing but I’ve been trying for them in 12-15 ft of water and haven’t had much success. Once the lake turns over the fish will again be very easy to pattern.
Walleye fishing has been average. They are biting on Smithwick Rattling Rogues. Chrome and Blue Cordell Spots in ½ oz are also working well. Look for the fish by Assembly Park or on any weed points in the lake.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050
Daily Reports
9/30/12 Lake Geneva, Sunny and 43 degrees, Winds E at 8 mph. Water temp 61 degrees. Caught 2 largemouth bass and 25 smallmouth bass. The biggest smallmouth was 20 inches. The big fish was caught on a lindy rigged yellow perch. The best location was by the Holiday Camp and we fished by the Yacht Club as well. The best depth was 22-25 ft of water.
9/29/12 Lake Geneva, sunny and 46 degrees, light winds out of the west. Water temp 62 degrees. Caught 4 largemouth bass - 2 were legal, 20 smallmouth bass - 4 were legal. Almost all of the fish were caught on lindy rigs fished with fat head minnows. We fished by the Military Academy and by Holiday Camp.
9/26/12 Delavan Lake, 45 degrees, W winds at 15 mph. Water temp 63 degrees. Caught 3 largemouth bass, 1 northern pike and 1 walleye. Fishing was very tough. The bass and walleye were caught on lindy rigged nightcrawlers. The best depth was 20 ft of water. The northern was caught on a lindy rigged sucker.