Lake Geneva Fishing Report 7/6/15 through 7/12/15
Lake Geneva fishing continues to be the best it’s been in several years. Even though the water has been warming daily, the smallmouth and largemouth have remained in the shallow water and are actively feeding.
The smallmouth bass fishing has been very good in 12-15 ft of water. The best locations have been by Knollwood and Elgin Club. As the water has been warming, they’ve been moving deeper daily. They are starting to move into the main lake basin so watch for them to continue moving from the spawning flats to the first break line. They can be caught on lindy rigged nightcrawlers or leeches. The bigger fish have been coming out of the slightly deeper water of 15 ft. Over the course of the next several weeks they will have moved to 18-24 ft of water.
Largemouth bass fishing has been simply fantastic. The best depth is 8-12 ft of water. The best location has been by Trinkes and just west of Colemans Point. You can catch them in the early morning on top water lures. Try chrome and blue chug bugs or Texas rigged plastic worms in black or green pumpkin. The largemouth bass fishing is the best it has been in many years, with double digit catches very consistently.
Lake Trout fishing remains excellent. With all of the water skiing and water sports the floating weeds are starting to be a factor. The fish remain suspended in the early morning hours and as the sun rises they are locating closer to bottom. They are being found in 108 to 120 ft of water. Down riggers fished with chrome/blue or chrome/green spoons have been the most productive.
Bluegill fishing has been very good. The best location has been between Elgin Club and Knollwood in 12-15 ft of water. A lot of the Pumpkin Seeds are in excess of 10 inches. I’ve been catching them on leaf worms fished on a split shot rig. Like the smallmouth bass as the water warms, they will be moving deeper. The biggest fish in mid-summer tend to be in 18-24 ft of water.
Northern Pike fishing has been slower than normal due to the cooler water temperatures. Usually by this time of year the thermocline has formed however, this year it has yet to form. Within the next couple of weeks, the pike fishing should improve. For the best success, I start in 27 ft of water and move deeper from there. Lindy rigged chubs and suckers are the best approach.
Walleye fishing has been excellent at nights when there has been wind. Trolling large Rapallas in Williams Bay and Trinkes have been producing most of the fish. The ideal time is midnight to 4 a.m.
Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050