Expert Guided Fishing Adventures on Delavan Lake
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Halfday and fullday fishing charters on Delavan LakeTarget Walleye, Crappie, Bass, Musky, and Pike speciesEquipment and cold drinks provided by Captain Erik
If you're looking for some of Wisconsin's best multi-species fishing action, Delavan Lake should be at the top of your list. Captain Erik runs a tight ship here, offering both half-day and full-day charters that'll put you on everything from chunky walleyes to trophy muskies. This 2,072-acre lake sits right in the heart of Walworth County and has been producing fish for decades. What makes this spot special is the variety – you're not just targeting one species and calling it a day. Erik knows where the fish are holding throughout the seasons, and he's got the gear and know-how to make sure you're using the right presentations at the right times.
Your day starts with Captain Erik loading up all the tackle, rods, and electronics you'll need. The boat's equipped with quality fish finders and GPS, so you're not just blindly casting and hoping for the best. Erik provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and even throws in cold drinks to keep you comfortable during those long summer days. The only things you need to bring are your Wisconsin fishing license – make sure you grab that ahead of time – and some snacks to keep your energy up. Depending on what you're after and the season, your start time might vary. Erik adjusts the schedule based on fish behavior and feeding patterns, which means you're fishing when the bite is hottest, not just when it's convenient. Full-day trips can run up to 10 hours, giving you plenty of time to work different areas of the lake and target multiple species.
Delavan Lake offers diverse fishing opportunities, so Erik switches up techniques based on what's biting and where. For walleyes, you'll often be working bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses or jigging with live bait in 15-25 feet of water along the drop-offs. The crappie fishing here is phenomenal during spring spawn when they move shallow – expect to use light jigs tipped with minnows around brush piles and fallen timber. Bass fishing involves everything from topwater action in the morning to deep cranking the main lake points during midday. When targeting muskies and northern pike, you're looking at casting or trolling larger baits like bucktails, jerkbaits, and spoons. Erik's got all the specialized musky gear you need, including heavy-action rods and steel leaders. The lake's structure varies from shallow weedy bays perfect for pike and bass to deeper basins where walleyes and crappies suspend. Having someone like Erik who reads the water daily makes all the difference in putting together a successful trip.
Muskellunge are the apex predators here, and Delavan Lake has a solid reputation for producing fish in the 40-50 inch range. These fish are pure muscle and attitude – they'll follow your bait for what feels like forever before deciding to crush it right at the boat. Fall is prime time for muskies as they feed heavily before winter, but Erik knows the summer patterns too. Largemouth bass are abundant throughout the lake's weedy structure and can be caught year-round. Spring brings some fantastic shallow water action when they're spawning, and summer finds them relating to deeper vegetation edges. Smallmouth bass prefer the lake's rocky areas and provide some of the most exciting fights pound-for-pound. Crappie fishing peaks during the spawn in April and May, but these panfish can be caught consistently if you know where to look. Walleye are the bread and butter species here – they're excellent table fare and provide steady action when other species are finicky. The lake's walleye population has been strong for years, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 14-inchers up to hefty 6-pounders.
Muskellunge in Delavan Lake are legendary among Wisconsin anglers. These apex predators can reach lengths over 50 inches and provide heart-stopping action when they decide to eat. They're most active during fall months when water temperatures drop into the 60s, but summer evenings can produce explosive topwater strikes. What makes catching a musky special isn't just the size – it's the fact that you might cast all day for one follow or strike. When it happens, though, the power and acrobatics of these fish will leave you shaking. Largemouth bass here are thick-bodied and aggressive, especially around the lake's extensive weed growth. Spring spawning brings them shallow where you can sight-fish in 3-5 feet of water, while summer finds them ambushing prey along weed edges in 8-15 feet. A 4-pound largemouth is a solid fish here, with occasional giants pushing 6-7 pounds. Smallmouth bass prefer the lake's rock piles and gravel areas, typically in 10-20 feet of water. They're scrappy fighters that jump repeatedly and make long runs – many anglers actually prefer smallies to largemouth for pure fighting ability.
Crappie fishing on Delavan Lake is consistently productive, with both black and white crappie present. During the April-May spawn, you'll find schools of slab crappies in shallow bays, especially around fallen trees and brush. These fish average 10-12 inches with occasional 14-inchers mixed in. Summer crappie fishing requires finding suspended fish in deeper water, but the action can be non-stop once you locate a school. Walleyes are the most reliable species here, providing steady action throughout the season. They spawn in shallow areas during early spring, then move to deeper structure as water warms. Summer walleyes relate to the 15-25 foot depth range, feeding most actively during low-light periods. The lake produces walleyes from 14 inches up to occasional 8-pounders, with most fish falling in the 16-20 inch range – perfect for the dinner table.
Get ready to fish Delavan Lake's prime waters aboard Captain Erik's 2021 22' Skeeter bass boat. This cutting-edge fishing machine packs serious power with its 300HP Yamaha engine, hitting speeds up to 52 knots to get you to the hottest fishing spots fast. Built for serious anglers, it's loaded with everything you need: wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches, fish finder to locate those trophy bass and walleye, GPS navigation, and radar for those early morning runs. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks ice-cold during those long fishing sessions. Whether you're targeting musky, pike, crappie, or bass, this boat delivers the performance and technology to make your day on the water productive. With space for up to 4 anglers and all fishing gear provided, just grab your license and some snacks for a solid day of fishing Wisconsin's beautiful Delavan Lake.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusThese schooling panfish run 7-12 inches and travel in groups, making for fast action when you find them. Both black and white crappie hang around brush piles, fallen trees, and weed edges in 8-15 feet of water. Spring spawning brings them shallow, but they're catchable year-round. Guests love crappie because they're scrappy fighters and absolutely delicious - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for kids and beginners since they bite readily. My go-to setup is a small jig under a bobber with a minnow. The trick is finding the right depth - once you locate a school, you can usually catch several from the same spot. Early morning and late evening are peak times, but they'll bite throughout the day in cooler weather or overcast skies.
Micropterus SalmoidesThese green fighters average 12-24 inches and love shallow, weedy areas with cover like fallen trees or docks. Largemouth are aggressive feeders that'll hit everything from topwater frogs to deep-diving cranks. Spring through fall offers great action, especially early morning and evening. What guests love most is their explosive strikes and aerial shows - nothing beats a big bass jumping right at the boat. They're also excellent table fare when kept from clean water. The key around Delavan is working the weed edges with soft plastics. Try a weightless Senko rigged wacky-style and let it fall naturally. These fish aren't spooky, so don't be afraid to work an area thoroughly. During summer heat, focus on deeper structure with jigs or drop-shot rigs where they retreat to cooler water.
Esox MasquinongyWisconsin's state fish, these giants can grow over 4 feet and weigh 30+ pounds. Muskies lurk around weed edges, rocky shoals, and drop-offs in 10-20 feet of water. They're ambush predators with razor teeth and tiger-like stripes. Fall is prime time when they're actively feeding before winter. What makes them special? The fight is legendary - they'll jump, run, and test every inch of your tackle. Plus, landing a "fish of 10,000 casts" is a true trophy achievement. Here's a local tip: after setting the hook, keep that rod tip up and maintain steady pressure. These fish have bony mouths, so don't rush the fight. Heavy tackle and barbless hooks make landing and releasing easier. Most anglers target them with large bucktails, jerkbaits, or live suckers near structure during low-light periods.
Micropterus DolomieuThese bronze fighters average 12-18 inches and are pound-for-pound the scrappiest fish in the lake. Smallmouth love rocky areas, points, and drop-offs in clear water, typically 10-30 feet deep. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're active in moderate temperatures. What sets them apart is their fighting spirit - they'll jump, run, and never give up until they're in the net. They're also great eating with firm, white meat. The key is matching your presentation to their mood. In spring, work shallow with tubes or small cranks. Summer pushes them deeper where drop-shot rigs shine. A local trick: use natural colors like green pumpkin or brown in clear water, and don't be afraid to downsize your bait. Light line and finesse techniques often outperform power fishing.
Sander VitreusThese golden-eyed fish typically run 14-20 inches and are hands-down the best eating in the lake. Walleye prefer deeper water during the day, often 15-25 feet around rock piles, drop-offs, and weed edges. They have excellent low-light vision, so dawn and dusk are prime times. What makes them special is that sweet, flaky white meat - there's a reason they're called the best freshwater table fare. The challenge is finding them since they move with baitfish schools. Live bait rigs with leeches or crawlers work great, but don't overlook jigging with plastics. The secret is fishing slow and staying in contact with bottom structure. In Delavan, focus on the deeper humps and points during midday, then work shallower edges as the sun sets.
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