A fairly stable week of weather, featuring seasonally normal temperatures, created some good fishing conditions. Water temperatures in the area were in the mid 50 degree range for most rivers and lakes. Main lake water clarity remains stained. Overall, walleye fishing was very hit and missed. The fish remained scattered in area waters, and continue to be in post spawn mode.
On the main lake, action was strong on the west side reefs for a good chunk of the week. Stony Point, Horseshoe Bar, and Roe’s Point had walleye being caught with regularity on leeches or crawlers. There is a steady crowd in the area. We also found a nice largemouth and small mouth bite in the shallow areas of Stony Point on spinner jigs.
Long Point has also had some good action for walleyes. This bite is all over the board for live bait (including minnows, leeches and crawlers) and changes daily. If you are working this area– better grab all three baits. Walleyes are in the average size range, with an occasional large fish in the mix. Slip bobbers are the preferred method currently. Abrahams Reef, Polish Reef, Third Reef and Gene’s Reef were very slow. The northern reefs outside of Neenah had limited action on both walleye and small mouths.
Shallow water trolling (8 feet of water or less) has had some success on small crank baits. This technique seems to be producing the larger fish this week. Lures run at 10-25 feet behind the boards was the ticket at standard trolling speeds of approximately 1.5-2.0 mphs. Garlic Island was also giving up walleyes on crawler harnesses.
The real story this week was the small mouth bite along the west shore. The wayside in Van Dyne was doing well along with the Jesuit area. Small rattle traps, live bait, and drift jigging were the best method. White seemed to produce the most fish. Most of the reports I received indicated the anglers were targeting walleyes, and caught smallies.
White Bass are showing up in the upper Wolf River, but not in huge numbers just yet. Flies seem to be the best method to catch these fish, and some of these fish have good size to them. A river rig tipped with a minnow or a floater with a leech was working well. We are still a week plus away from the major run, based on current water temps.
Lake Winneconne and Lake Poygan’s trolling bite is still steady, but was not as productive as a week ago. Shad raps in white perch, pearl, or rainbow trout are functioning well. In this area be sure to use white crank baits due to the high population of white bass moving through. Crawler harnesses are also taking fish in shallow bays.
In the Fox River (Oshkosh), white bass are also the most active fish. Similar methods to the Wolf River are being used. The area in front of Rainbow Park had the best action we saw this weekend, followed closely by the Hwy 41 Bridge. Walleyes are present and are mixed in with most bags on each trip. Perch fishing is very slow.
Lake Buttes des Morts was very sluggish for us this week. The trolling bite was poor here over the weekend, partly due to the heavy winds. Sunset Point was producing walleyes on slip bobbers with leeches or casting small cranks.
Pan fish continue to be in back water areas, feeder creeks, and local harbors of all waters.
Just a quick update on some other area waters around the state: Beaver Dam Lake had a tremendous bluegill and crappie bite going this week. Eagle River walleye fishing was a tough go on most lakes this past weekend. The Fox River in Depere was also producing walleyes, sheephead, musky (yes Musky!) and catfish from shore at Voyager Park.
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