A mixed bag of weather greeted fishermen this week. High winds over the weekend made a tough go of any fishing on the main lake. However, reefs adjacent to the Fox River in Oshkosh remain active for walleyes in the 13-18 inch range. Limits were tough to come by, but can be achieved with some work. The Little Point area near Wendt’s on the west shore was producing smallmouth bass on spinners and cleos. Water temp was 52 degrees on Sunday.
Supples Marsh has had continued success with pan fish, and this week the carp population grew substantially. Just north of the marsh near the old Chaparral Supper Club, pan fish activity is still very strong. The crappies are in, and can be taken with small minnows under a float. Crappies are also present in the Stockbridge Harbor and High Cliff Harbors.
The Fox River in Oshkosh is receiving the most attention. From the 41 bridge, all the way down to the mouth leading into Lake Winnebago had a huge population of white bass. The fish we caught were all post spawn. Anchored positions were effective, but drift fishing was much more productive for us this week. Pumping flies on three way rigs was the preferred presentation, and the colors of orange, red and black were best. Others are having success with a three way rig and plain hook with a minnow. The area directly across from the Rainbow Park launch and the Hwy 41 Bridge had the highest catch rates of white bass. Walleyes are being caught in limited quantities, usually on a jig and leech. There are also quite a few sturgeons in this area currently.
The Wolf River was red hot for white bass earlier this week, but slowed some this weekend. Just about anything is working right now. Walleyes are also being caught often, especially at the Winneconne Bridge, in Fremont, and in Partridge Lake area. Water levels remain very high and the walleye have not started a major migration down stream as of yet, according to the local bait shops.
Trolling has been moderately successful at Clark’s Point near Winneconne. Northerns, walleyes and white bass can be taken on boards with shad baits running at 17-25 feet behind the boards. The Lake Winneconne and the Lake Poygan bite should become very hot within the next two weeks for walleyes.
Tournaments this coming weekend:
Sat May 10 Romey’s Walleye Tournament Rainbow Park, Oshkosh
