An early winter punch was doled out to the Lake Winnebago region this week. Temperatures were running nearly 20 degrees below normal, with no expected breaks in the 10 day forecast. Water temps have nosedived, and the system is now preparing for ice. Harsh winds were the norm, and a visible mud line can be seen in the water column on Lake Winnebago.
After visiting several area launches on Saturday and Sunday, there were zero trailers in any of the parking lots. Needless to say, reports are nearly nonexistent.
There were a few reports out of the Wolf River the past week, none of which I would call positive. The fall walleye run has not developed this year. This could be due to the ample forage in the main lake, or that the fish have staged in the upper lakes and Fox River. I am really baffled by this development this year.
If making a last trip to Lake Winnebago, I would target the shallow bays and harbors for pan fish. The pan fish should be seeking warmer water, and generally move shallow until after first ice.
Believe it or not, I have a positive fishing report. The Fox River in Green Bay and De Pere have heated up with larger walleyes moving into the river in preparation for winter. Trolling tactics have been adequate, but casted crank baits have produced the most fish. As the water temperatures cool, the shad will start to slow down, drawing the hungry walleyes into feed. Slower presentations work the best this time of year. Although the action is not hot and heavy, the quality of the fish is extreme! On Saturday night wee netted 6 walleyes, with the biggest at 28 inches.
It appears we will have an early ice season this year, and I would expect some of the smaller northern Wisconsin lakes to be foot travel ready in the next 10 days, if the forecasts hold true. It would not surprise me to see places like the Fond du Lac Harbor to be ready for foot traffic around Thanksgiving.
In the meantime, stop by River Haus in Fond du Lac to build your ice jig collections. They also carry the Slop Frog Baits, if you have a bass fisherman on your holiday shopping list.
Most Anglers will become hunters over the next several weeks. Have a safe hunt, and check back for ice reports in the near future. [email protected] is my email for questions and your fishing reports.
