An unstable week of weather greeted anglers on Lake Winnebago and surrounding areas. The air temperatures ranged from 50 degrees to 87 degrees, with periodic periods of rain. Water temps are in the mid 70’s with shoreline temperature about 4 degrees warmer than the central basin. Algae is problematic in the bays and channels, but of only mild concern on the main lake. Water clarity is stained, with varying degrees of clarity system wide.
Continued heavy fishing pressure, especially on the southern third of the lake, is expected to peak next weekend, with a drastic drop off in traffic after Labor Day.
The past several weeks have shown a decline in walleye fishing. Water temperatures have reached a point where walleyes have moved deeper, searching for cooler water. In addition, the young of the year fish have matured in size to become a viable food source for walleyes. Walleyes are not absent, but definitely a little harder to target. There continues to be males staged on many of the reefs.
Perch fishing has been variable by the day and location. The perch schools are tightly packed. This makes finding active schools tough. Many anglers have been on the move trying to relocate the fish each day. One common denominator is that the perch have gone deeper than previous weeks.
When dead sticking for perch, I would suggest adding a small bead above your hook, especially in orange. This will act as an attractant, and make the perch curious to check out your presentation.
By Locations:
Fond du Lac: The main school of perch continues to move north/deeper from previous weeks. The school can be found by looking for the 20-40+ boats which target this school daily. The general area is about 2 miles north of Taycheedah Creek.
North Fond du Lac (west): There still are some active walleyes in this area, targeted by small crank baits and crawler harnesses. Perch fishing has been adequate but not spectacular here.
Deadwood Point: Active crappies are here, with trolling being a preferred method for targeting these fish. Try Salmo Hornets is this area.
Gladstone Beach: This was the area I observed the best perch fishing this week. Nearly everyone was dead sticking, with average bags running in the 10-15 fish range.
Fisherman’s Road: Lots of giant sheephead and white bass trolling the 7-12 foot depth ranges.
Abrahams Reef, Long Point and Gene’s Reef: Walleyes remain in limited numbers on the reef, and the mud (to the outside of Gene’s Reef) has hosted some larger walleyes. Perch fishing was soft here (a little better on Long Point).
Oshkosh area: There have been solid numbers of white bass outside the River’s mouth.
Stockbridge: Very mixed results here. There are schools of bigger perch, especially north of the launch. Hellgrammites are the bait of choice. These schools are tough to find, but once located it is “game on.” Walleyes fishing was solid in the mud.
North Shore: I did not fish there this week, nor did I receive any reports from that general area.
Have a Great Week and Extended Weekend on the Water! Labor Day marks the end of the summer fishing season for many sportsmen, as hunting will now get equal billing to fishing in this area. It is also the unofficial end of the recreational boating season, meaning there will be plenty of space on the lake for the remaining fishermen. Some of the best days of the year are still ahead of us.
River Haus continues to carry the hard to find hellgrammites. They also are carrying the Slop Frogs now. That’s All Folks.
