A summer like trend of weather dominated the week, leading into the weekend when stronger winds added plenty of chop to Lake Winnebago and other area waters. Water clarity on the main lake is variable, with visibility in the 2-4 foot ranges. Water temperatures spiked from last Sundays 47 degree readings, jumping to the upper 50’s. Along the west shore a minor fly hatch was observed.
With the fishing opener this past weekend, anglers were thick on the Winnebago system mainly due to the excellent fishing opportunities the system is currently offering. Boat ramps were full, and at times frustration was seen with anglers struggling with the heavy congestion.
The system is ripe for many opportunities, whether it be for white or black bass, catfish, walleyes or crappies. Sheephead have been extremely active this week also. The west shore of Lake Winnebago has been the hot spot for walleye. In general, these fish have been along the shallow water area, until the weekend when these walleyes made a move to deeper water.
Roe’s Point and Stoney Point (just south of Oshkosh) continues to hold walleyes, but fewer than just a week ago. Trollers continue to pull through this area in the 7-10 foot ranges and are producing walleyes ranging in the 10-20 inch sizes. Some of the larger walleyes have moved out to the 13 plus foot depths.
The Kallibus Reef area has had the best activity this week. During the week walleyes were stacked in the 6-10 foot ranges. Trolling Off Shore Planner Boards at 1.6 mph dragging an array of shad shaped baits was the key presentation. We have found the Smash Shads, Flicker Shads and Salmo Hornets as the best baits. Color variations varied each day with black and gold, metallic clown, and purple tiger working the best.
Long Point Reef has had a lot of success also. This has been a pitched jig or a leech under a slip bobber presentation.
The Menominee Park/American Legion area (just north of the mouth of the Fox River) also had an excellent trolling bite most of the week. This shallow water bite was solid until about Saturday, when the fish slide out of the shallows to deeper water. Once the fish moved deeper, they became a little harder to find as they dispersed from the main schools.
In Fond du Lac, big numbers of crappies are being seen on the shallow rocky reefs preparing to spawn.
The mouth of the Fox River was a popular destination this weekend, as some larger walleye were seen moving through the area. Pulling flies was the dominate presentation, especially in white and yellow, and red and black. Wolf River rigs were being used by some anglers, and success was also seen.
Also in the Fox River in Oshkosh, Rainbow Park had a ton of white bass stacked in the main channel of the river. Mixed in are catfish and walleyes. The Hwy 41 Bridge is also holding similar fish.
Lake Butte des Mortes has had a walleye bite in and around the Oakwood Point and Sunset Point areas. These fish were found to be on the small size. Lake Winneconne and Poygan were fairly quiet this week. The Bridge in Winneconne is producing male walleyes.
The 2013 walleye class is really starting to show up in big numbers. On Sunday, Team My Fishing Partner netted nearly 70 of these 8-10 inch walleyes. Unfortunately, we only netted 1 walleye over 15”, finishing near the bottom of the BWC event. It’s okay to get embarrassed now and then! The majority of top finishers were pulling flies in the river. Winning weight was approximately 25 pounds on five fish.
The Critters/Woodeye walleye tournament is being held this weekend out of Winneconne. In addition a bass tournament is being held out of Oshkosh. Pretty light weekend for tournaments this coming weekend.
[email protected] is my email. The rain expected this week may play havoc with the system. Be prepared to toss the box at ‘em this week. White bass are staged and the run should be in the near future. Have a great week on the water! 15
