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Fishing season winding down

Geneva Lake

Now that fall has officially arrived, the short days, cold temps, kids activities and hunting season all add up to close my 2010 fishing season.

Northern Pike are in the shallows in about 8-10 ft of water. They are being readily caught on white spinner baits. The best location has been Trinkes and Williams Bay. Another approach that is having some success is slip bobbering large golden shiners. I prefer casting that way you can cover more water.

Smallmouth bass are in the shallows. They are concentrating on the main lake points in 4-10 ft of water. Conference Point, Black Point and Cedar Point are great locations this time of year. The best approach is Carolina rigging Arkie Crawlin Grubs or casting darter heads with small smoke colored twister tails. With the water being so cold, slow retrieves are the best.

Perch are now schooled up in the 8-10 ft depth range. Look for the fish by Knollwood or by Rainbow Point. It is not very hard to catch a limit of fish but some sorting is required. The best approach is slip bobbering small fathead minnows or fishing ice jigs tipped with wax worms. Purple or chartreuse are my favorite colors.

Walleyes can be caught at night while trolling large stick baits. I like the Walleye Bandit or large Rapalas. Look for the fish in 12-15 ft of water by Trinkes or by Fontana.

Bluegills are again shallow. They are being caught on small leaf worms or on ice jigs tipped with wax worms. Good locations are Geneva Bay by the Riviera Pier or by Knollwood. I've been fishing them in 6-8 ft of water.

Delavan Lake

Fishing for walleyes and northern pike will still continue and be improving over the next few weeks as we get closer to first ice. Walleyes can be caught either trolling medium diving crankbaits, such as the Walleye Bandits or Wally Divers or casting Smithwick Rogues. The best color is chrome/blue or chrome/black. This time of year, I will always fish in the wind. I prefer the main lake points. As a rule, the fish will suspend 5-6 ft down over 20 ft of water. Fishing at night is the most productive, however, it can be miserable as the temperatures drop.

Northern Pike fishing is some of the best of the year. You want to fish larger suckers on quick strike rigs in 12-15 ft of water. This will be accomplished a little easier once the weeds die back. Look for the fish on the west end or by The Village Supper Club. Casting large crank baits also produces a lot of fish. I'll position the boat in 15-20 ft and cast into 8-10 ft of water. With the nature of northern pike following lures, this is a good way to draw the pike back into your suckers on the quick strike rigs.

Largemouth and Smallmouth bass become very lethargic as the water cools. The best locations I fish are the shallow rock flats. I will use large fat head minnows or drag football head jigs. The fat head minnows I typically fish on a split shot rig. The best depth is 10-12 ft of water. Look for the fish by the Oriental Boat house or by Browns Channel.

Good luck and I'll see you on the ice! For ice or spring guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050

Dave Duwe has been a fishing guide on Delavan and Geneva lakes for nearly 20 years. Dave is a community blogger and is not a part of Walworth County Today staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of Walworth County Today staff or management.