Unseasonably cold weather blew through Southeastern Wisconsin during the past week, leaving Lake Winnebago, Lake Poygan and other area lakes frozen over. This is a very early “ice-up” for the general area, and is providing some fishing opportunities during the 10 day gun/deer season. Most of the bays and lagoons have frozen over, with an average of 2-6 inches of ice. The main lake has a solid sheet of ice, with an average of a couple of inches of ice.
With the subpar deer hunting season underway, some of the area hunters have changed gears, and grabbed their fishing equipment out of storage. Although the ice is still very dangerous, there has been foot travel in many of the bays and channels. However, just a few locations are producing pan fish currently.
Big Hole (Fond du Lac Harbor): Fisherman were on the ice before Thanksgiving. There has been limited success in the area. Mainly small perch are the standard catch, with occasional crappies and bluegills mixed in. First year walleyes (6 inch) are occasionally caught.
Chaparral (North Fond du Lac): Solid numbers of small bluegills are being caught on jigs with spikes.
Wendt’s and Black Wolf: Iced over, but not ready for foot travel yet.
Menomonie Park (Oshkosh): Little to no activity.
Millers Bay (Oshkosh): Heavy traffic from fishermen, especially in the center of the bay. Bluegills are concentrated in the area, along with perch and crappies. This area has had better action on plastics, rather than live bait.
Skipper Buds (Oshkosh): Some dandy bluegills are being caught in this area. I would attempt to get to these fish just after sun up or just before sun set. These fish have had peak periods during the day, but that will not last long with the amount of pressure they are receiving currently. I would expect this bite to be good for a few more days, and then go cold. Currently, jigs tipped with red colored spikes is the best combination.
Asylum Bay (Oshkosh): Not a lot of info here, but some strong number of ice fishermen are on the ice. I heard it was slow from an unreliable source.
Lake Poygan: Guys have been heading out on Poygan, but I have no reports. That means it’s on fire or completely a dead sea. Flip a coin.
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