A week of constant weather change summed up this past week. The week started with near drought conditions and ended with heavy rains and localized flooding. Outside temperatures ranged from the 40’s to a highs on Thursday and Friday in the mid 80’s. Water temps fluctuated greatly also, dropping near 9 degrees and recovering toward the end of the week.
In general, fish are scattered in area waters, and almost all walleye are a week into post spawn. There are occasional schools of fish in the river system. Walleyes are showing up in greater numbers on the main lake now. Fishing was disrupted all week by the weather changes and accompanying wind. Fishing boat traffic was light most of the week, and so were the reports. It is very difficult to give accurate details from around the area because the conditions changed almost hourly.
On Lake Winnebago the concentrations of walleyes are near the first reef systems associated with the mouth of the Fox River. Red worms are working well for individuals targeting perch and bluegills. Some good action was seen in shallow water bays and inlets on the south western shore of Lake Winnebago for bluegills and crappies. Leeches have outperformed both gulp and minnows this week, and this held true on the entire system including the Wolf River.
Speaking of the Wolf River, fishing has been very steady in that water. Catfish are becoming active and white bass are starting to show up in larger numbers. Wolf river rigs, pumping flies (most common), drift jigging and casting cranks are all taking walleyes from New London to Lake Poygan. Orange and purple seem to be key colors on all presentations currently.
Trolling on the upper lakes of Poygan, Winneconne and Buttes des Morts is also producing walleyes on either crawler harnesses or small cranks. There has been a nice mix of white bass, pike, sheephead and small mouth bass in the mix also. Slip bobbers have also been effective when matched with a leech. Remember that the Large/small mouths and pike are out of season currently. Pan fishing is still going strong in the local harbors and feeder creeks. This also includes the lagoon in Fond du Lac’s Lakeside Park and the Stockbridge harbor.
The heavy rains have flushed worms into all areas of the system, adding a limitless food source for hungry fish. As a result of the plentiful food, matched with the post spawn slowdown, and very stained water, fishing could be tough this coming week. There are fish biting somewhere. You just might have to work harder for them. In the rivers– focus on current break areas– especially with the stronger river currents from the rain water runoff. On the lakes, be sure to check out shallow water areas also. Many times these get over looked. The east shore of Lake Winnebago should heat up shortly for night time walleyes.
My Fishing Partner LLC has taken a gold level sponsorship in Fond du Lac and Oshkosh’s very own Fish for Kids Charity Organization. Fish for Kids is a non-profit organization designed to show children the positive effects of fishing and the outdoors. They introduce children to a sport that teaches them patience and determination and brings families together. If you have a child you would want to participate in the event (limit of 200 children); or an adult which could either donate resources or time to help the event– contact Tony at [email protected]. For more info check out their site http://www.fishforkids.org/ Have a great week. You can reach me at [email protected]. If you venture out on other bodies of water this weekend for the WI fishing opener, tight lines!
