Lake Geneva Fishing Report 7/25/16 through 8/1/16
The dog days of summer have hit early. We have had excessive heat and high humidity. The fishing has been rather slow. The biggest problem on the lake has been the 3 inch bluegills that seem to be everywhere throughout the water column. The most consistent bite remains the largemouth bass.
The largemouth bass have been concentrating in the 10-11 ft depth range. The best locations have been in Geneva Bay or Williams Bay weed flats. In early mornings with low winds, the top water bite has been very effective. Chug Bugs and Pop-R’s have been producing the most action, the best color choice has been chrome and blue. As the sun gets higher in the sky, I switch to live bait; split shot rigged nightcrawlers slowly trolled with electric trolling motor or drifiting over the weed tops.
Bluegills have been biting pretty much anywhere you stop on the lake. The only problem is that the average size has been 3-4 inches. It has been a struggle to catch the keeper size fish. The best location for the larger fish has been in 20-22 ft of water by Elgin Club. The best approach is straight lining leaf worms with a small split shot and a single hook directly beneath the boat.
Lake trout fishing remains consistent. The fish are in the main lake basin between Conference Point and Cedar Point. The early morning bite is still the best. You want to keep your down riggers between 75 and 85 feet down in 110 ft of water.
Smallmouth bass fishing has been very inconsistent. I have looked for them in 15 feet all the way down to 28 ft of water with limited success. With warmer than average water temperatures the fish are suspended over deeper water chasing the pods of bait fish. In the next few weeks, the smallmouth should be pushing up on the deep water rock structure near South Shore Club or George Williams College.
Northern Pike have been scattered on the thermocline. Most of the fish I’ve caught have come out of 33 ft of water. I’ve been fishing in front of the beach in Fontana or in Williams Bay on the bar. The best presentation is medium suckers on a lindy rig straight beneath the boat. I use a ¾ oz walking sinker to assist with the vertical presentation.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050