A stable week of weather was followed by a cold front over the weekend, capping a busy week on Lake Winnebago. The Sunday cold front brought rain and heavy northeast winds churning the waters of Lake Winnebago in chocolate milk. Water temperatures were in the low 70’s for the majority of the week. Weeds are starting to become sufficient enough to support walleyes, bass and other game fish. The weed beds are many weeks behind schedule.
Heavy tournament traffic was seen all week and is expected to continue for this week’s Battle on Bago/Otter Street walleye tournament. Anglers are very tight lipped right now, hoping to keep a few secret spots to themselves.
Walleye fishing has been inconsistent. At times, the bite is hot and at times it is nonexistent. Morning bites have generally been weak, while afternoon bites have been more numerous overall. Largely, walleyes are scattered, and large schools are uncommon. Carp appear to be spawning and sheephead look to be concluding their spawn.
By Location: Fond du Lac: The crappie bite continues in this region, especially along the east shore. The crappies are suspended and can be targeted with still fishing methods or by trolling. In many of the crappie schools, average sized walleyes and small white bass are present. Along the western shore, averaged walleyes are common, and a bonus largemouth bass isn’t unheard of this week.
Long Point Island and Wendts: The area had a concentration of sheephead which moved into spawn during the past week. Weed beds are underdeveloped, and walleyes have been scarce to date.
Long Point Reef Complex: The area to the northeast of the main reef has been solid for a mid-depth trolling bite. This area has been fished hard with both crank baits and crawler harnesses. Abraham’s Reef has held feeding walleyes when the wind blows.
Columbia Park: This area hosted a solid walleye bite in the mud. The bite fired until about Friday and then dissipated. Flicker shads were the best choice of baits run deep.
Mud Bite: You’re a hero or a zero in the mud right now. Some anglers are loading up on big fish, while others can’t pull a single fish. A multiday bite at the same location is fairly rare right now. Crawler harnesses are out producing cranks, but often cranks are a better choice to locate fish. In some areas, walleyes have been high in the water column.
Garlic Island area: a moderate walleye bite has been occurring to the east of the island. There have been some larger eyes mixed in. White bass and sheephead are nuisances in this area.
Stevens Reef and surrounding reefs. Walleyes continue to move up on these reefs when a wind is present. Slip bobbers and leeches have worked well along with a pitched jig and crawler.
Fox River (Oshkosh): Some of the bigger weights from the Mercury National came from the river. The mouth held some decent fish, targeted by pumping flies. The Hwy. 41 Bridge also held some bigger fish, targeted with crank baits. Both areas have had a ton of pressure, and were shutting down later in the weekend.
Lake Butte des Mortes: There have been some solid shallow water bites for walleyes on the lake.
Lake Poygan: Horseshoe Hole had a solid walleye bite, if you could sort through the sheephead. The cane beds have been kicking out walleyes when the wind is blowing.
Otter Street/Battle on Bago is occurring on Saturday and Sunday out of Menomonie Park in Oshkosh. 350 or so teams of fishermen will hit the water for a major event. The lake will be full of boats all week. Have a great week on the water, and be courteous to your fellow anglers. [email protected] is my email for your reports.
