Happy New Year!
Once the Christmas day rain and snow storm cleared the area, Winnebagoland had beautiful December weather. The rain from the storm made an initial mess of the ice, but it has refrozen. The positive to the rain was that many of the really bad surface ice obstructions have been shrunk, and nearly all of the snow pack has been eliminated from the ice surface. It is fairly easy to get around the ice currently. Ice depths range from 4-11 inches on the main lake and 7-12 inches on Lake Poygan, Buttes des Mortes and the back bays of the Wolf River. Open water still exists in the Fox and Wolf Rivers at select locations.
Lake Poygan is the definite ”Hot Spot” currently. The walleyes are starting to get going, especially off of Spruce Lane in six feet of water on the south end. In addition, Norwegian Bay has a lot of fishermen working the area for walleyes, white bass and pan fish. It seems as if the fish are staged on the first break where shallow water becomes deeper (5-7 feet). Gold and silver are working well based on sunlight conditions. There are small vehicles driving on the ice, however, I do not recommend this quite yet. Someone has to be the first to drive out, and someone has to break through the ice first also! I prefer to leave that to someone other than me.
On Lake Buttes Des Mortes, Skipper Bud’s has had some limited action on pan fish, but most days are slow. It is getting constant action, mainly due to ease of access. In the shallow water areas of Sunset Bay, pan fish are going strong on waxies.
Lake Winnebago is getting some attention currently, mostly in the Oshkosh Area. The south end and parts of the north end of the main lake seem to be void of fishermen most days. By location, here is how some of the main areas are doing:
FDL Lighthouse: A few perch on the main lake, with an occasional white bass. The harbor is dead.
BP In TAYCHEEDAH: Quiet
Fisherman’s Road: Quiet
Old Chaparral (North Fond du Lac): a few pan fish, but slow
Black Wolf: Limited action, but some perch being reported
Menomonie Park and Merritt Street: a few walleyes and white bass
Millers Bay: Lots of fishermen, lots of small pan fish.
South Asylum Bay: Lots of fishermen, but overall very hit n miss
Brother Town: Walleyes and White bass both active. There are some bad areas of ice around the heaves, so be careful.
From Louis at Wolf River Outfitters: The Wolf River in Fremont and the Weyauwega Mill Pond are giving up “bull” bluegills on Gill Pills. They are also getting some perch in front of the campground in Fremont also.
It should be a very busy week/weekend on the ice. Nice weather, good ice, and biting fish…..what more could an angler wish for? When you get home, drop me a line and tell me how you did. [email protected] I hope to get on the ice a few times this week also, so be sure to monitor the website and the Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fond-Du-Lac-WI/My-Fishing-Partner/222624783318 for up to the minute reports. See Ya Next Week!
