Lake Winnebago has seen plenty of change since our last fishing report. Heavy winds had caused a fracture of the ice along the west shore which resulted in the entire ice sheet moving to the east. Along the west shore areas of open water remain (almost a week after the ice shift) even with sub zero temperatures. Some of the areas have refrozen, resulting in dangerous and inconsistent ice. The most dangerous area is around Oshkosh; but, open water “holes” exist in all regions of the lake. Water visibility was about 2 feet on Sunday.
Fishermen have stayed away from the west shore in many areas. A ten yard span could have ice depths ranging from 2 inches to 14 inches.
This week saw the first established tree lines out of Pipe, WI (Calumet County Park) and Fisherman’s Road on the east shore. These areas have ice depths averaging in excess of 12 inches, as measured by the local clubs. This has allowed access to deeper water and a new venue for many fishermen this season. Just up the road, in Brothertown,WI the access point is closed due to fractured and unsafe ice. North of Brothertown, the ice is sketchy at best. The Quinney, WI access point has warnings that the ice is unsafe for vehicles.
Fishing reports for specific areas:
Chaparral area (North Fond du Lac): This area has slowed down drastically. There remains some activity with perch, to the north of the access point.
Wendt’s (Van Dyne): Perch and a few eelpouts have been reported to the north of Wendt’s. Many are fishing the area in front of TJ’s Bar and Restaurant (At Highway Z).
This sign was at the Quinney, WI access point
Jesuit area (Black Wolf): This area is home to perch, crappie, white bass, and a stray pike. Overall, hit-n-miss.
Millers Bay (Oshkosh): This area has been nearly abandoned until just recently. Heavy traffic was seen this weekend, including multiple vehicles on the ice in the bay. Pan fish are present, but are on the average to small side.
Fire Lanes (Neenah): Limited action near Waverly Beach, with increased traffic toward the larger numbered fire lanes (7 and up). No fishing reports available here.
Stockbridge, WI: Limited ATV traffic until this weekend, with inconsistent ice in the area. No fishing reports here. Tree line is now out, with 14′” off ice reported by the Harbor Bar. Remember, just last week this area had open pockets of water.
Brothertown, WI: Bridges are in place at the launch, but the ice remains fractured and looks very poor. South of the harbor near Gladwater Beach Rd, a good sized village is working this area. Walleyes and white bass are reported along with perch. Spoons are working well here. Look to the area where the depths drop from 7 feet down to 15 feet. Lots of tourists are walking in this area looking at the recent ice shoves along the shoreline.
Pipe, WI: This is the main “highway” to deep water. Fishermen were observed several miles off shore seeking active walleyes and white bass. Many of these anglers can be observed from Oshkosh; however, most of these fishermen are accessing this portion of the lake from the east shore, and not from Oshkosh.
Fisherman’s Road: About ¾ mile from the launch there is solid activity for perch and walleye/sauger, just north of the tree line. Jigs and spikes are the best method reported for perch.
Winnebago Drive BP Gas/Luco Road (Fond du Lac): A large village of shanties exists NE of the access point. This area had very heavy concentrations of large bluegills at the end of the season, and apparently they haven’t moved far since ice up. Jigs, spoons or minnows (for perch) under a tip-up/bobber are all working. Focus on the remaining weedbeds when possible. I worked the area on 1/27/13, and found it fairly slow, possibly due to heavy car-truck/ fishing pressures along with the incoming storm. Ice depths ranged from 11-12.5 inches.
Lake Poygan is in great shape related to ice conditions. Car and truck traffic is common. Tons of small white bass, mixed with solid sized crappies and a stray walleye are common catches. Many Lake Winnebago regulars were fishing Poygan for safety reasons earlier in the week. Heavy angler pressure is common, with some of the Winnebago guys now returning back to the big lake.
The fishing industry lost a veteran pro and guide this week when Jim Hudson died related to an Ice Fishing accident on Lake Superior. Jim had one of the best knowledge bases of the Lake Superior system, and it goes to show that even the most experienced guide is at risk on the ice. Please be safe on the ice and stay on top.
Many permanent shacks will be moved onto the ice in the next 10 days in anticipation of the sturgeon spearing season. [email protected] is the email. Please drop me a line and let me know how you did!
