The Lake Winnebago region has been immersed into a prolonged mild cold front, typified by winds and rain. The lake’s water column has become high stained in the south (2-3 inch visibility). The north end has better visibility, with water clarity up to three feet. On the central basin, an algae bloom has started, but is not severe. Water temps were generally about 64 degrees on Lake Winnebago on Saturday. Sheephead are starting their spawning cycle currently.
The dominant winds have prevailed from the north on Lake Winnebago for the majority of the last two weeks, pushing dirty water to the south, and the game fish to the north seeking clearer water. With the reduced visibility in the water column in the south, fishing here has been difficult.
Often groups of boats on the water mean active fish or simply anglers fishing historical fish producing locations. On Saturday, there were more boats on the water than I can remember in a long time. Outside of the community reefs, anglers were spread out and groups did not appear to be present. This generally indicates a tough bite and scattered fish.
One way to approach tough conditions using crank baits is to use a varied approach to your presentation. Mix your lure selection to include large baits and small baits in different shapes. One over looked component is wiggle and wobble. A fast tight wiggle puts off a different vibration in the water than a slow rolling wobble. Don’t forget this overlooked component to fishing.
Fishing reports were scarce, and generally negative this week. Here is the recap of the system:
Fox River: The River in Oshkosh is still holding decent walleyes, especially at the bridges and in the mouth. Typically the mouth of the river will shut down with a strong east wind, and that was seen last weekend. Catfish are becoming more active, along with carp. Sheephead and white bass are very common throughout the river.
Fond du Lac: The south region is tormented with dirty water. Crappies and bluegill are available in limited number to the east of the lighthouse on the rocky reefs. There are some weed walleyes hanging around also.
North Fond du Lac: Very similar to Fond du Lac, with more active white bass and sheephead. There are some decent schools of fish in the area, assumingly a mix of crappies and walleyes. Sheephead are starting their spawning activities especially in this area.
Wendt’s: We worked this area on Friday night, in the heavy surf. The focus was plastics and jigs. It was very slow, with only one small walleye produced. On Saturday I trolled this area extensively, with only white bass on the end of the line.
Klaibus: I found some active largemouth along the weeds lines using purple colored plastics. The bass were shallow, related to shadows, and out of the direct sunlight.
Deadwood Point (SE): The amazing walleye trolling bite has dissipated. This was a clear water bite, and conditions no longer qualify. I believe these fish have moved north or into the weeds.
Pipe: I worked this area also and found some nice schools of fish. The fish which I caught – White bass.
Brothertown: There are some nice schools of fish in the central basin here. Unfortunately they have lock jaw.
North End: This is where the best activity for walleyes has been. The size of these fish are quality, and the populations are strong. Stick baits have been especially effective trolled behind the Off Shore planner boards. Red and pinks have been very effective here, along with purple.
Lake Butte Des Mortes: We found some pockets of eater sized walleyes trolling Salmo hornets #4 in water depths between 4-7 feet. We also ran hornets #5’s and picked up some huge pike in the 34-40 inch ranges.
Tournament news. Last weekend, The ‘Bago Walleye Club event produced about 200 walleyes with a winning weight of 16.65 pounds edging out second place by .01 of a pound under severe cold front conditions. More than half of the teams were in the river. This weekend the major walleye event was the Stockbridge tournament. It had a rumored winning weight of 29 pounds on 6 fish. In addition, Fisherman’s Road Fishing Club held their tournament, but I received no information on the winning weights or tactics.
The biggest tournaments of the year will be held over the next two weeks on Lake Winnebago. The Mercury National Walleye Tournament is being held Saturday and Sunday in conjunction with Walleye Weekend in Fond du Lac. This is one of the largest team events in the country. Be sure to root on Team My Fishing Partner (Mark and Doug- the silent partner) as we embark on the quest to break the 9 year jinx. We are team 91.
That’s all folks! Have a great week on Lake Winnebago, and I‘ll try to get a report out mid-week next week. [email protected] is my email. Please feel free to drop me a line with your fishing reports!
