A second week of warm and stable weather remained in the area giving Lake Winnebago the look and feel of mid-summer. There is a lot of algae in the water currently, and on Saturday the south end resembled pea soup in the calm conditions. The water has a light stain once below the thin layer of algae on the top water. Water temps continued to climb, after a dip earlier in the week. Current water temperature is 76 degrees at the Fox River on Monday evening.
Anyone who has spent time on the main lake in the last three or four weeks can’t help but notice the huge schools of bait fish which seem to be everywhere. Some of these schools have incredible numbers contained within them. In addition, parts of the lake are bug-ridden with another fly hatch.
Perch fishing continues to be O.K. The abundance of food within the system has made a tough bite for nearly all species of fish. Hot spots for perch include Garlic Island area, from Wendt’s down to Subway Road on the west shore, Clarence’s in Fond du Lac, Stevens Reef, Paine’s Point, and next to the first sailboat buoy in front of Lakeside Park. Crawler pieces worked the best. I had one report of a fisherman using his Aqua-view seeing huge schools of perch in multiple locations on Sunday. Unfortunately, they had lockjaw and would not bite.
Walleye fishing is still slow. There have been some reports of walleyes being taken in the transition zones from Brothertown to Stockbridge. This is mainly a crawler harness bite. There has been small walleyes (4-8 inch) active lake wide on a variety of methods. Reefs were vacant this weekend, and I received no reports, so I will have to say they are slow……. Unfortunately I lost the largest walleye I have ever seen on the Winnebago system (just behind the boat) Saturday when the 17 pound Vanish leader snapped. This fish would have pushed 30 inches.
White bass are schooling system wide. In the Wolf River, these schools have really emerged during the week. There are good numbers and good size to these white bass. 50 fish days are possible currently. In addition, bluegill and crappies are hanging around in the bays and creeks. Catfish can be found in the Fox River and on the North Shore. Pike are on the weed edges.
Oakfield Conservation Club is holding their annual Sportsman Rummage sale on Saturday from 9-2. Admission is $3.00 and the event is held at the Oakfield Conservation Clubhouse on High Bridge Road in Oakfield.
Good luck out on the water. [email protected].
