Classic summer patterns emerged this week in Eastern Wisconsin with warm days and afternoon thunderstorms. The end of the week brought a strong cold front, including rain and heavy north winds. Lake Winnebago has some major variables in water clarity as you move throughout the lake. In some areas, like the East Shore, clarity is at about 2-3 feet with an algae bloom; while the west shore had chocolate milk like clarity. Water temps have been consistent around 70 degrees. Floating weeds are a hindrance from Van Dyne to Fond du Lac.
Over the course of the week, fishing remained inconsistent with the multiple fronts moving through the area. The walleye mud bite remains very strong, but has started showing signs of the annual slowing late in the week. It appears some of the larger fish may have begun moving in to the now emerging weeds.
The Fox River in Oshkosh remains a hot spot for larger walleyes. Many of the Master’s Walleye Circuit contestants focused on the river pulling large weights. 1/8 oz jigs with either a leech or crawler, pitched to holes or bridges has been very productive. In addition, 3 way rigs (wolfriver rigs) were also working in the river and river’s mouth. Catfish are plentiful along with sheephead and carp.
The Lake Winnebago mud bite has been going strong for some time but waned over the weekend. Most likely this was a temporary setback with the cold front. However, the electronics did show largely vacant areas which held fish just a week ago.
The best areas in the mud include along Long Point in the south, Near Garlic Island in the north, and in front of Columbia Park on the east shore. There is also a shallow water bite occurring near the highway 45 wayside north of Fond du Lac. Salmo Hornets at 25 feet behind the Off Shore Trolling boards worked well for us.
The weed bite as been jumped started, now that the weeds have become established. The Wendt’s area has been excellent for casted cranks (where weeds are thin) or pitched jigs. Asylum Bay and the Jesuit have had similar success.
The first positive perch reports came in this week, with full limits coming from the Fond du Lac area. The perch have been on the small to average size, with the jumbos still inactive.
Crappies are still being caught system wide, and this bite should be constant through August.
This coming week will feature a holiday weekend. Please expect heavy boat traffic all week. In addition, expect a higher police and coast guard presence on the water. There is a stated effort by law enforcement to crack down on “drunk boating.” Have a Happy Fourth of July week.
Mark@myfishingpartner is my email, please feel free to drop me a line with your fishing reports.
