Fishing on Lake Geneva has been really inconsistent for the past few days.

The cooler temps have affected the deep water bite for bass.  There is hot weather predicted in the coming days so that bite should become better in the week to come.  As Labor Day is fast approaching, I expect some of the fish to start moving into their fall patterns so we will be watching for those transitions in the next couple of weeks.

The smallmouth bass are still biting in 20-25 ft of water.  The only real issue is that the schools aren’t nearly as tight as they have been.  You need to keep searching for the fish.  Most trips this past week, I tried as many as a dozen spots to catch a dozen fish.  The best bet continues to be lindy rigged nightcrawlers or lindy rigged yellow perch caught in the lake.  Look for them near Black Point, Conference Point and near Gage Marine.

The best bite for largemouth bass is in 8-10 ft of water around the piers.  The best location is on the north shore from Coleman’s point down to Elgin club.  The best approach is lindy rigging small Yum Dingers or Yum Houdini Worms.  The best color is green pumpkin or watermelon seed.  While fishing for smallmouth bass, I have been catching a few largemouth in excess of 5 lbs.  They are few and far between so I really wouldn’t call that a pattern.  If you are interested in largemouth stick to the piers.

Bluegill action has been exceptional in 18-21 ft of water. The best location has been by the Military Academy, Elgin Club or Fontana Beach.  They are aggressively hitting leaf worms straight beneath the boat.  With the warmer weather forecasted, the pattern won’t change and the bite should get even better.

Northern Pike action has been very slow.  There are a few fish being caught in 35-38 ft of water.  The best location has been by the sand bar in Williams Bay or the boat launch by Fontana.  The best approach remains lindy rigged medium suckers.

Walleye fishing has been very good at night.  The weed flats by Trinkes and Williams Bay has been producing most of the action.  Trolling stick baits like Smithwick Rogues or Rapalas have been producing most of the action.  You want to troll your lures in 15 ft of water half way down in the water column.

Lake Trout fishing has been very productive in the main lake basin.  They are consistently biting on chrome/blue and chrome/green spoons.  The best depth is between 69 and 79 ft down in 110-140 ft of water.  The key is the early morning bite when the fish are off the bottom and suspended in the water column.

The open water season is fast approaching the end.  Make sure to book your last trips in the coming weeks.  Good luck and I hope to see you on the water.  For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe  at 608-883-2050