Mark Schram, myfishingpartner.com

Introduction: Lake Winnebago, located in Wisconsin, is renowned for its excellent walleye fishing opportunities. During mid to late summer, the walleyes on Lake Winnebago often seek refuge in the expansive weed beds that dominate parts of the lake.

Understanding Structure and Locations: When targeting walleyes in the weeds on Lake Winnebago, it is crucial to identify suitable structures and specific locations. Look for expansive weed beds composed of cabbage, coontail, or milfoil, preferably near deeper water. Points, inside turn, and areas where weed beds intersect with drop-offs or submerged structures like rock piles are particularly productive.

Lures and Bait Selection:

  1. Jigs: Use 1/8 to 3/8-ounce jigs in natural colors like green, brown, or black. Consider jigs with a weed guard to reduce snagging.  Hair Jiugs can be very productive.
  2. Soft Plastic Baits: Opt for paddle-tail grubs, twister tails, or plastic worms in 3- to 4-inch sizes, preferably in natural hues or those resembling baitfish.
  3. Spinnerbaits: Choose small- to medium-sized spinnerbaits with willow leaf or Colorado blades and a soft plastic trailer.
  4. Crankbaits: Select shallow to medium diving crankbaits that can run through the tops of the weed beds without getting too snagged.

Lake Winnebago Walleye

Why Walleyes Seek Weed Beds: During mid to late summer, weed beds offer walleyes a variety of benefits. First, weeds provide shade and cover, allowing walleyes to escape the sun’s intense heat and the increased boat traffic. Second, weeds harbor ample prey, such as perch, shiners, and other small fish, which attract walleyes looking for an easy meal. Lastly, the weeds oxygenate the water, creating a comfortable and thriving environment for walleyes.

Fishing Technique:

  1. Casting and Retrieving: Position your boat along the outer edge of the weed bed or slightly outside it. Cast your lure towards the weed edge, allowing it to sink, and retrieve it slowly and steadily, maintaining contact with the weed tops. Vary your retrieve speed and experiment with pauses to trigger strikes.
  2. Vertical Jigging: Use your boat’s electric trolling motor to move slowly over the weed bed. Drop your jig or soft plastic bait vertically into holes or open pockets in the weed cover. Lift and drop the bait gently, mimicking injured or struggling prey.
  3. Trolling: If the weed bed is extensive, consider trolling with spinnerbaits or crankbaits along the weed edges or just above the tops. Adjust your trolling speed to keep the lure above the weeds but close enough to entice strikes.  Berkley Flicker shad, with shallow bills are an outstanding bait choice trolled behind Off Shore trolling boards.

Conclusion: Walleye weed fishing on Lake Winnebago during mid to late summer can be gratifying for anglers who understand the fish’s behavior and employ the proper techniques. You increase your chances of a successful and enjoyable fishing trip by targeting the right structures, using suitable lures and bait, and understanding why walleyes seek weed beds. Remember to practice catch and release whenever possible, ensuring the sustainability and conservation of this remarkable fishery for future generations of anglers.