Opening Day – Delavan Lake
Typical of Delavan Lake I expect the fishing pressure on opening day to be tremendous. You can’t have a great fishery without a lot of fishermen. However, if you don’t know where to look and what to try, fishing will be tough with the cold spring we’ve had.
The walleye will be hard to catch. In early May they are in shallow water in the thick weeds, with the clear water they are easily spooked. I only try them using slip bobbers and flathead minnows. I suggest working the 10-12 ft depth range.
The crappie fishing this spring has been above average. People have been catching a lot of fish in the 8–12-inch range. The best location is in front of Lake Lawn Lodge in 5-12 ft of water. I prefer using plastics, mini-mites, or small twister tails. My favorite colors are purple, white, and yellow. A lot of fish can be caught using small minnows fished off slip bobbers.
Largemouth bass are cruising the shallows. The fish are in 2-4 ft of water. I like fishing the outlet area of the channels. I use floating worms or Senkos. With the cold spring the bass are not anywhere near spawning yet.
Bluegill fishing has been particularly good throughout this cool spring. Most of the fish are being caught on the west end in 4-6 ft of water. Most people are using small ice jigs tipped with a wax worm or leaf worm. Some good catches are being reported. The water temperature is still very cold, and they won’t be spawning for another month or so.
Good Luck – See you on Opening Day! For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 2262-728-8063