Delavan Lake 9/23/13
Because Delavan Lake is a substantially shallower body of water than Lake Geneva, frontal patterns effect Delavan quite a bit more and cold fronts really make the fishing tough. This past weeks 30 degree cold front shut the fish off and made the bite very tough. With stable weather forecasted, we should see improvement throughout the next week.
Largemouth bass are in small pockets. This past Saturday I fished multiple areas where they have been active recently with limited success. But once I found an area with biting fish, I ended up catching some nice fish. The bass are being caught on black and blue jigs or on fat head minnows. Look for the fish in 15-16 ft of water right on the weeds.
Walleye fishing has started to improve. They are being caught best in the evening right at sun down. You want to cast chrome and blue and perch colored Rattle Traps or Rapala Husky Jerks. Look for the fish around the main lake points. The best depth right now is 20 ft of water. The fish are suspended in the water column.
Northern Pike action has still been spotty. Like Lake Geneva, I’m catching one here and there but there doesn’t seem to be an active pattern. The best approach is slip bobbering medium suckers or lindy rigging them. The best location has been just west of Willow Point or down by the island.
Bluegill action has been very slow for me. They have moved out of the medium depth range, 15-16 ft of water and are either shallower or suspended out in the main lake basin. The late fall pattern is usually suspended in 35-40 ft of water. I haven’t had time to go look for them, but I will as fall goes on.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050