Delavan Lake fishing is very good right now!

The lake is productive on multiple species.  As summer starts to heat up, the lake is getting very busy.  Prepare to get to the lake early if you want to get a parking spot as well as a vacant fishing spot.  Even though the fishing pressure is high, there are still plenty of good bites to be had.

Bluegills are in 12-15 ft of water and are aggressively biting.  The bait of choice is leaf worms.  I’ve had great success fishing the leaf worms beneath a split shot and straight lining it beneath the boat.  The best location has been by the yacht club or by Willow Point.  If you aren’t getting bit, make sure you move around because there are active schools available.

Largemouth bass are in post-spawn.  They are pulling out of the shallows and positioning on the deep weedlines and main lake points with hard bottoms.  Look for the fish west of Willow Point, west of the Yacht Club or by the Village Supper Club.  The best approach is either a split shot rigged nightcrawlers or a medium diving crankbait in either fire tiger or crappie pattern.  I’ve been customizing a pearl crank bait with a black Sharpie, by adding spots.

Northern Pike action has been spotty.  The fish have been in anywhere 10-20 ft of water.  The best method is lindy rigging medium suckers or fishing them beneath a Thill slip bobber.  The best location has been by Browns Channel or by the island on the west end.

Walleye action has been a good.  The fish have been eating medium crank baits or extra large fat head minnows fished on a lindy rig.  The best location has been by Belvidere Park or by Assembly park point.  Most of the fish are undersized, you need to fish long and hard to fish a few legals.  The minimum size limit is 18 inches with a maximum bag of 3.  With the warming water temperature, leeches will start to be a bigger player, the bigger the leech,  the bigger the fish.  If you use smaller bait, you will be hindered by many panfish hitting your bait.

Crappie fishing has been good.  They are on the weedline in 12-15 ft of water.  The best approach is either purple or chartreuse plastic with a 1/32 oz jig head.  Look for the fish by Belvidere Park, Browns Channel or just at the buoy line in Viewcrest bay.

Good luck and I hope to see you on the water.  For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050