As long as the weather keeps warming, the fishing keeps improving daily.

This past week we had significant SW winds which made most of the lake unfishable. I’ve been catching most of my fish from the Abbey Springs area to the Military Academy.

Rock bass are in the shallows in 10-15 ft of water.  The best approach is a split shot rigged minnow.  I’ve been either drifting or back trolling for the best success.  Last week I caught some in excess of 1-2 lbs. The best location has been by Shadow Lane in 12 ft of water.  For artificial fisherman, white hair jigs have also been producing some good catches.

Smallmouth bass have not yet spawned, this is the latest spawn I can recall.  The fish are still suspended around their spawning flats in 15 ft of water.  The fish I’ve been catching have been on a split shot rigged minnow or a white hair jig with a pink head.  If you find the pods of minnows in the lake, you will find the smallies.  The best location has been near Belvidere Park or east of Abbey Springs.

Yellow perch have been biting in the 8-10 ft depth range.  The best approach has been slip bobber rigging small fat head minnows about 1 ft off bottom.  The best location has been by Belvidere Park or by Knollwood.  You have to do a lot of sorting to catch a few nice ones.

The best bluegill action I’ve had has been in Abbey harbor or Trinkes harbor.  I’ve been working a depth of 3-4 ft.  The water is substantially warmer in each of these locations.  The bluegills and sunfish are preparing to spawn.  I’ve been concentrating on the holes in the weeds for the most action.  I use leaf worms with a small bobber.

Northern Pike has been relatively good.  The fish remain in the shallows in 8-10 ft of water.  Look for the fish in Williams Bay or in Fontana Beach.  The best approach is fishing Thill slip bobbers with large golden shiners.

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