Try spinnerbaits and shallow-running crankbaits over the weedtops early in the day, and jig-and-pig combos in weed pockets and along deep weed edges as the day unfolds. Look for inside turns and other tight corners of structure, and work these spots slowly to target big bass. A 10-year-old largemouth didn’t get that old by hanging out in the open. They like cover and will seek out the places that offer the most protection and best chances of grabbing a meal without ranging too far.

Contact: D&S Bait, Tackle & Archery, (608) 241-4225, or www.dsbait.com.

DELAVAN LAKE
Walworth County’s 2,000-acre Delavan Lake is another gem in the 18/1 category, and another lake with the “quality fishing opportunity” designation.

Back in 1990, the DNR drained Delavan to remove the abundant carp. When the lake was refilled, it was stocked with a variety of panfish and game fish. Today, it offers great fishing for bass and other species.

Look for bucketmouths in shallow bays, along weed edges and under piers. They will slam topwaters all day long, but to target bigger fish, go deeper with soft plastics. Deep weed edges are the key to finding the big bass here.

Contacts: Geneva Lake Bait & Tackle, Williams Bay, (262) 245-6150; Delavan Chamber of Commerce, (262) 728-5095, or www.delavanwi.org.

FOX LAKE
Better known for its panfish, Dodge County’s Fox Lake is another “quality fishery” with the 18/1 bass rule. About the same size as Delavan, Fox Lake was also drawn down in an attempt to improve the fishery. The drawdown was done in 1997, which had a very wet summer, so water clarity and the fishery did not improve as much as hoped. Still, Fox offers anglers a good chance to catch trophy largemouths.

Fox is part shallow impoundment, part deeper natural lake, with abundant weeds in the shallow east end. Even the “deep” holes run only to about 20 feet, so the entire lake is good largemouth habitat. Work the east basin with shallow-running and weedless lures, and try jigs and plastics in the west basin. Pay attention to the islands, points and other shoreline structure.

There are public landings off Hamilton Street at the southeast end of the lake, at Clauser Park on the outlet to Mill Creek and in Town Park off Blackhawk Trail on the northwest shore. There is also a landing at Fish ‘N’ Fun Resort on Blackhawk Trail, where you can launch for a donation.

Contacts: Fish ‘N’ Fun Resort, (920) 928-2338; Fox Lake Chamber of Commerce, (920) 928-3777.

BIG MUSKEGO LAKE & BASS BAY
Waukesha County’s Big Muskego Lake covers some 2,200 acres, but about half of those acres are covered with cattails. The rest of the lake has a maximum depth of 4 feet. Bass Bay, which is actually a lake connected to Big Muskego by a navigable channel, has a depth of 23 feet in its 100 acres. Big Muskego was drawn down and treated with rotenone to kill carp and other rough fish in the late 1990s. It was then restocked with game fish and panfish. Today, both lakes provide quality fishing for bass, along with northerns and panfish. An 18/1 rule for bass is complemented by an 8-inch 15-fish bag rule on panfish.

A series of navigation channels cut through Big Muskego’s cattails, but it is easy to get lost here, so bring a compass or GPS unit. Milwaukee-area guide Jim Laganowski calls this place “Milwaukee’s Everglades.” The channels and cattail edges hold bass. Toss topwaters and shallow-running baits for early-morning action. Bass Bay has some structure and good weed edges, so you can fish here with a variety of lures and techniques.

There is a good public landing on the northeast end off Durham Drive, and two landings suitable for smaller boats are on the north and east shores.

Contact: Jim Laganowski’s Early Bird Guide Service, (414) 791-8055.