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Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva is 7 miles long, and 2 miles wide......during the summer months, the lake is home to a vast amount of pleasure boaters, jet skiers, para sailors, and the like.....The shoreline of LG is dotted with extravagant 7 figure homes which become the talking point of several large cruise ships that offer tours of this amazing body of water......I've had the pleasure of fishing LG hundreds of times over the last 30 yrs, and during that time I've had the opportunity to explore its intricate shorelines, deep flats, and abyss like basins.

LG has a maximum depth of 170 ft, and hosts lake trout, Northern Pike, Walleye, LM and SM Bass, and recently introduced Muskellunge......Its panfish population is amazingly healthy, and abundant. Slab Crappies, Rambo sized Rock Bass, Giant Bluegills, hand size Pumpkinseed's, Kong like Bullheads, and a multitude of small to medium Perch that at times, seem to carpet the lake floor.......Cisco's and Emerald shiners are also part of the food chain.

Located in Southeastern Wi., Geneva is approx. 80 miles from Chicago, and 60 Miles from Milwaukee.....I live 45 miles north of Chicago, and 20 minutes from LG :)

Geneva's size, beautiful shorelines, and crystal clear water has always been a big attraction to most of the summertime seasonal activity that takes place at LG......here is an ariel view.

Some of my first deep water spoon research took place on Lake Geneva between August, and October of 2007.....Several years prior to my research, LG experienced an infestation of Zebra mussels. Initially, these little creatures were demonized for having the ability to destroy vital components of the food chain......this has not yet to be proven. In fact, several species of fish are now known to readily consume, and digest this highly nutritious food source. Lake Geneva's Pumpkinseed population has capitalized on this resource, and produces some of the largest, and most beautiful "seeds" in the state.

Geneva has always been known for its water quality, but once the Zebra mussels occupied LG, 10 ft visibilities quickly attained a depth of 15 ft.....The filtering qualities of the Zebra mussels actually changed the game. Bluegills were suddenly making beds in 13-15 FOW, the now gin clear water had pushed the gills deeper than ever before. The added light penetration also contributed to deeper weed growth....16-18' not uncommon. Late summer temps, and conditions typically push gills as deep as 40ft. This made for a perfect place to do my deep water research.

Some of the lightest braids, and Fluorocarbon leaders were used when presenting spoons in this gin clear environment.
Many of you have read my blogs on spoon fishing, but this deep water presentation is the most challenging, and the most addictive of them all.

For the last 3 Sundays, I have returned to trusty waypoint 18.....somewhere on the north shoreline of Geneva Bay in 15 FOW, with isolated healthy weeds. This area has consistently produced non-stop gill action between 1pm and 4pm using slip bobbers and Glow striper special ice jigs set 10' down....Our first and second visits accommodated 45 deg surface temps. and a 38 deg air temperature......our last, 43.5 surface temp. Gills still hit the spoon if you allowed it to fall on a 14 count, and violently snap the spoon up a few feet, and let it fall back a 3 count and violently snap again....NO hits were detected, fish would become hooked on the snap.....Strange, but effective presentation in some of the coldest water. I told myself that I need to put my boat into storage, and prepare for first ice that will certainly be here in a week, but I'm torn......due to its size and depth, LG does not freeze until the second week of Jan. A small window of good weather has opened up for me this Sunday, and I may just go for the 4 for 4.

I am certain that BBG members 2lb gill, and Rob Garner are familiar with LG, and have both enjoyed some of the fabulous fishing that Geneva offers.......hopefully some of you will get a chance to experience this body of water if you ever venture this way.

Mod

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Comment by Robert L. Habich on April 28, 2012 at 6:38am: Hea Mod: have fished Geneva for many years. Have caught some huge gills out there. biggest 10 and 3/4". have tried your spoon method with moderate sucess. will be trying again soon this summer.

Crappie Bob

Comment by Rob Garner on February 17, 2012 at 12:37pm: Maybe a little walleye fishing before the season closes too.

Comment by Rob Garner on February 17, 2012 at 12:32pm: No ice fishing for me on LG this year, never formed adequate ice for me to get out there this year.Was hoping to get into those slab sized crappies they have swimming around out there.Haven't posted much this year either and this next year wont be much better for me either some legal issues, But I had a great idea at work last night about taking out the boat and maybe go on a little ice breaking mission or get out in March sometime and look for those Geneva giants.

Comment by DUANE SCHULTZ on December 30, 2011 at 5:26am: Has anyone fished Lake Geneva lately? I was wondering what the fishing is like with the warm winter. Can I catch Pumpkinseed and bluegill from shore?

Any advice would be helpful, thank you.

Comment by DUANE SCHULTZ on December 15, 2011 at 5:44pm: Thank you 2lbgill.

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on December 15, 2011 at 5:42pm: Nice testimonial to the great fishing on Lake Geneva......If I'm ever up there, I'll be looking up Lake Geneva, you guys have really struck my bluegill nerve in a good way.......Good stuff folks!

Comment by DUANE SCHULTZ on December 15, 2011 at 1:08pm: Cool article. Me and my wife met on LG. I would like to start fishing it for Pumpkinseeds, could you give me any pointers or good spots to try?

Comment by dink dailey on December 13, 2011 at 11:52am: nice looking fish and great story, i just bought 1' gulp yesterday, we catch alot of yellow bass on gold kastmaster but now i will be tipping it with gulp.

Comment by dick tabbert on December 13, 2011 at 10:57am: Nice bunch of fish Looks like a good time. Enjoy Musky Mod and keep them photo's coming.

Comment by John Cachel on December 13, 2011 at 10:02am: Great job! Great information and nice photos! Nice 'gills and monster pumpkinseeds! I always want to fish Lake Geneva but diffcult to get there. Fee to use boat ramp and little public place. Lack of shore fishing but I dont know the lake very well. My wife and I went to Lake Geneva last fall for relax weekend. Many resorts, hotels and lot of resturants. Popeye resturant is nice, great food and you can view Lake Geneva. I see that park car on street in town of Lake Geneva that you can walk to Geneva Bay. Buy waterfront lot without a house at LG is at least 2 million dollars! Ouch! I am thinking about to park on street by the lake in town of LG and walk to ice fishing! You should know my friend Todd Carlander. Todd told me that he know you so maybe we can get together to go ice fishing at Lake Geneva. Cant wait for ice fishing and crossing fingers for cold weather soon!