Lake Winnebago and the surrounding areas have encountered an extended summer with warm temperatures and pleasant frontal conditions. Brief periods of infrequent overnight rains have the water column slightly stained, with water temperatures generally in the mid 60’s. In most years by mid-September the trees have started to change leaf colors, but the entire area is generally still green, demonstrating the extended summer like pattern.
In general, fishermen have exited the Lake Winnebago system in favor of hunting. However, there still remains huge fishing opportunities on the lake for all species of predators. There are just fewer people in the way.
I did not spend a lot of time on the system since the last report, as my concentration has been on Salmon in Lake Michigan and The Bsssmasters Angler of the Year Championship in Sturgeon Bay. I’m Itching to get back at it on Lake Winnebago.
Perch: Perch fishing has picked up slightly. Crawler pieces either fished under a slip bobber or as a dead stick have been very effective. Smaller worms have also been working. The best area reported has been south of the Big Island at Wendt’s (Van Dyne, WI). Target the 6-9 foot transition zones. I also had a report that some of the transition zones near Neenah were doing well also. The Fisherman’s Road area, the normal hot spot, has been extremely hit and miss. Hellgrammites are still working, if you can find them.
Walleyes: Walleyes have been moving out of the deep water and the shallow dying weed beds to stage on the sides of the reefs and reef tops. The walleyes locations are more predictable on the Winnebago system this time of year. Jigs and crawlers are my preferred method of attracting these fish, while long line trolling offers some excellent opportunities also. Wind direction will move fish to specific reefs, but the fish will generally school in the same geographic area. If one reef doesn’t fire, make a move to another reef close by. Some of these movements may just be a move around to the other side of the same reef, based on wind direction changes.
White Bass: Find ‘em, catch ‘em. It’s that easy. The bass are schooled heavily, and once located on Lake Winnebago or the river systems, can provide 100 fish days. My suggestion is to cast on these schools rather than troll for them. The white bass are not associated with any structure, so they are on a constant relocation program. Lure choice does not matter in many cases. Early mornings have been very successful in Fond du Lac from shore at Stinky Point and the lighthouse.
The trawling studies have begun and the sheephead are extremely thick on the lake right now (News Flash huh?). The forage hatch was low again this year, especially for trout perch. This should make for a solid ice fishing season, but for slow growth rates on predator fish. The bad news is that the perch, crappie, white bass and walleye hatches were well below average.
The last several days for the My Fishing Partner team have been behind the scenes with the Bassmaster Elites spending time with KVD, Aaron Martens, G-Man and Ike. We have a ton of interviews in the “tank” which we will release over the next several months. You can just imagine what Mike Iaconelli said when we asked him about the value of bananas!
Green Bay Smallmouth report: The fishing is tough, as water temperatures are well above seasonal norms. Drop shotting on Larson’s reef was a popular choice. Ike and KVD were fishing the small island near Chamber’s Island this week. Natural colored bait selections are the best choice. Look to water breaks in the rivers for additional opportunities. Northern Green Bay is starting to “turnover”.
Forward looking, the white bass and crappies will be the first to enter the Wolf River, followed by the early arriving walleyes. When the outside temperatures begin to decline, water temperatures will follow, pushing the fish up the river systems.
Have a great couple of weeks, and we’ll try for a report in two weeks or if the conditions change drastically before then. [email protected] is my email for questions, reports and general comments.
