Lake Geneva 9/23/13
This past week we had some up and down weather, from hot and humid to unseasonably cold by the weekend. Fishing was also like a roller coaster, some days they bit well in every location and other days it was tough to get a bite anywhere. Overall fishing is still transitioning from a summer bite to a fall pattern. Some days, fat head minnows are the best presentation and other days nightcrawlers prevail. Before you head to the lake, make sure you have an ample supply of both.
Smallmouth bass are still hanging on the deep water structures. They are in 21-25 ft of water. They can be caught either drop shotting small plastic worms or split shot rigging live bait, either nightcrawlers or fat head minnows. The best location has been by Fontana Beach, Yerkes Observatory or by the old Military Academy.
With the cooling water, northern pike have moved shallow. The best depth for them is 15-20 ft of water. I caught a few fish last week by the Military Academy and Yerkes Observatory. They were caught on medium suckers fished on a lindy rig. The bite has been sporadic but should be improving as the water cools.
Perch fishing has been excellent in the 10-12 foot depth range. They are biting on slip bobber small fat head minnows. For that presentation, I typically anchor the boat. The best location has been by Knollwood and by Belvidere Park. This pattern should continue throughout fall.
Bluegill fishing was slower this week. They seem to have moved out of the deeper water and may be a bit shallower than I have been fishing. Try for them in 12-14 ft of water. Abbey Springs and Trinkes are good places to start. Leaf worms fished on a split shot rig should work.
Largemouth bass have moved up on the weedline and are in shallower water than their summer locations. They are in the 12-14 ft depth range. Look for the fish by Trinkes, Knollwood and by Colemans Point.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050
Daily Reports
9/22/13 - Lake Geneva, sunny, SW winds at 5 mph. Air temp 56, water temp 69 degrees. Caught 17 smallmouth bass and a 30 inch pike. Fishing was a little tough today. We only caught fish in one area, by Yerkes Observatory. The best depth was 21-25 ft of water. The presentation was nightcrawlers fished on a split shot rig.
9/21/13 - Delavan Lake, sunny, NW winds at 10 mph. Air temp 55 and water temp 69 degrees. Caught 20 largemouth bass and 1 northern pike. Fishing was kind of slow due to the tremendous cold from that went through in the past few days. I was lucky to find an active school of fish. All fish were caught on a split shot rig with a fat head minnow. The best locations were main lake points.