Lake Geneva Fishing report 7.20.15 through 7.26.15
Lake Geneva is in its mid-summer transition from a shallow water bite to a deep water bite. The thermocline has not yet formed and is still a few degrees a way for the deep water bite to be really hot.
Largemouth bass fishing has been average in the 12-15 ft depth range. Anglers are catching them either drop shotting or fishing Texas rigged plastic worms. The best location has been just east of Linn Pier or in Trinkes Bay. As the water warms a few more degrees, they will be positioning on the hard bottom with deep weeds. That is when you can Carolina rig them or drag football head jigs.
Lake Trout fishing has been very good in the main lake basin. The fish are 70-80 feet down in 108 ft of water. You want to use nickel/blue or nickel/green spoons. I prefer a 2 inch spoon. Trolling from Cedar Point to Conference Point is the best location. The best time of day to try for them is still first light or right at dusk.
Bluegill fishing is starting to move deeper. The best depth has been 15-18 ft of water. The biggest bluegills are being caught by Knollwood or Maytag Point. You want to fish a red worm or leaf worm about 1 ft off bottom. The deep water bluegill bite will also improve as the water gets warmer.
We’ve been catching a few smallmouth bass transitioning into the deep water. Most of my success has come out of 13-14 ft of water. The best location has been Knollwood, the Duck hole and by Fontana Beach. I’m still catching them on split shot rigged nightcrawlers and I’ve also had success on lindy rigged leeches. There isn’t a heavy concentration of fish as they haven’t schooled up yet. You need to keep moving to find the actively feeding fish.
Northern Pike fishing has been very slow with the lack of thermocline. The best approach has been white spinner baits around the weeds. Look for the fish in Geneva Bay and by Trinkes. The best depth has been 10-12 ft of water.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050