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Delavan is finally starting to see some safer ice. For a few weeks the channel was mostly ice free and no one was heading out. A few reports are starting to filter in now, mostly sporadic panfish. I believe it will be a good open water year for most species, because Delavan never had safe ice throught the whole lake this year so pressure was minimal. If you decide to head out, remember to treat it again like first ice and bring along the spud bar and buddy. The long range forecast looks like it should be making ice so if you are a diehard, there should be a few weeks left of ice fishing on limited spots on the lake.
The ice fishing on Geneva has had an even shorter season this year. In fact, it was the open water fishing that made most of the headlines. The WI Inland Rainbow Trout record was broken by a shore fisherman a few weeks ago. John Trossen from the pier has been doing guided trips all through the winter and has been catching some monster walleyes and pike on a regular basis. Lots of people are going out and trying to figure out John's secret, but my recomendation would be to hire him out if you want to get into some serious fish. A friend and I are planning on booking him for at least one trip this year. Getting a quality guide certainly lessens the learning curve on a big body of water such as Geneva. As far as the ice goes; it was recently reported that Williams Bay had skimmed over, however the Fontana launch was still open, but maybe not for long. There will have to be some seriously cold nightime lows for any kind of safe ice fishing on Geneva for the remainder of the season.
Hope this report helped anyone who was thinking of venturing North
Matt
The ice fishing on Geneva has had an even shorter season this year. In fact, it was the open water fishing that made most of the headlines. The WI Inland Rainbow Trout record was broken by a shore fisherman a few weeks ago. John Trossen from the pier has been doing guided trips all through the winter and has been catching some monster walleyes and pike on a regular basis. Lots of people are going out and trying to figure out John's secret, but my recomendation would be to hire him out if you want to get into some serious fish. A friend and I are planning on booking him for at least one trip this year. Getting a quality guide certainly lessens the learning curve on a big body of water such as Geneva. As far as the ice goes; it was recently reported that Williams Bay had skimmed over, however the Fontana launch was still open, but maybe not for long. There will have to be some seriously cold nightime lows for any kind of safe ice fishing on Geneva for the remainder of the season.
Hope this report helped anyone who was thinking of venturing North
Matt
