Delavan Lake Fishing Report 7/20/15 through 7/26/15
Fishing on Delavan continues to be very good. The only limiting factor is an excess of anglers pursuing them. With the difficult weather we’ve had, it has become clear that the days with rain & clouds have been producing the most action. The walleye fishing has been the best it’s been in over 7 years, every trip I’m catching some even though I haven’t been targeting them.
Walleye fishing has been very good off the main lake points and on the weed points in the main lake basin. The best depth is 15-18 ft of water. The best approach has been either lindy rigging nightcrawlers or lindy rigging leeches. For the best success fishing lindy rigs, I’ve found chartreuse painted hooks producing most of the action. I’ve been using a 24-36 inch leader on my lindy rigs. Look for the fish just west of Willow Point and just west of the Yacht Club point.
Largemouth bass fishing has been awesome. There are two different patterns on the lake right now. The first is the ultra shallow slop bite, and the second is the deep weed line bite. The slop bite is best by north shore drive or by the condos underneath north shore. You want to use a white or black scum frog. When I frog fish, I prefer using fire line, as it allows a more positive hook set. The best depth is 2-3 ft of water. I prefer areas that have heavy duck weed. Remember when frog fishing, you don’t want to set the hook until you can feel the fish. For the deep weed line bite look for them in and around the Yacht Club or Willow Point. They can be caught on medium suckers fished on a lindy rig or split shot rigged nightcrawlers.
The greatest concentration of bluegills has been off of Assembly Park or off the weedline west of Willow Point. They can be caught on Thill slip bobbers and leaf worms or fishing a small split shot red worm straight beneath the boat. The best depth is shallower than normal; I’ve been catching the most in 12-15 ft of water.
Northern Pike fishing has been slower than normal due to the water temperature being several degrees lower than normal. With the cooler water, the fish are not positioned as deep as normal. They are still located tight to the weed line in 15-17 ft of water. For the best success, I’ve been back trolling lindy rigs down the weedline at about 1 mph. It appears this year that the bigger suckers are producing more action.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050