Lake Geneva Fishing Report 7/15/13 through 7/22/13
For this time of year, the fishing remains very consistent. There are large numbers of fish to be caught. The bass have not moved deep yet so they are still accessible on the mid range weedlines.
Northern Pike have moved out of the shallows and are now on the thermocline in 30-32 ft of water. They can be readily caught on lindy rigged medium suckers. The best location has been in Fontana or in the Narrows on the north shore. With the lindy rigs I’ve been leaving about a 2 ft leader and using a ¾ oz walking sinker.
Largemouth bass fishing has been excellent on the Trinkes weedline or the weedline by Linn Pier. The best approach is either drop shotting small green pumpkin finesse worms or lindy rigging nightcrawlers. The best depth is about 14-16 ft of water.
Lake Trout fishing has been excellent. They are aggressively hitting in the main lake basin. They are biting on green flies fished behind a dodger or chrome/blue spoons. The best depth is 108 ft of water. You want to fish the lures about 20 ft off bottom. The best time to get them is in the early morning. Presently the best bite is around 5 a.m.
Perch fishing has been very good. The constant problem with Lake Geneva is the over population of 3-4 inch perch. If you stick with it and sort, you will catch enough fish for a good meal. The best depth I’ve found is 12-14 ft of water. They are being caught on small fat head minnows fished beneath a slip bobber or on nightcrawlers. The best locations have been west of Linn Pier or Belvidere Park.
Smallmouth bass have been very evasive. They are in their summer pattern and are nomadically cruising the lake with the pods of bait fish. The best way to catch them is in the early morning around the bait fish pods using top water lures. You want to use chrome and blue chug bugs 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