Unseasonable cold weather engulfed the Lake Winnebago region over the week, dropping water temperatures and the walleye’s appetite.  Water temps fell almost 10 degrees in the last seven days, with the warmest water on the main lake is in the Oshkosh area.  With the persistent northeast winds, the lake water clarity has become very muddy.

Oddly enough, the Wolf River has rising temperatures at New London.  The water temperatures have risen seven degrees in the last four days, and the 55-degree water temps are eight degrees warmer than Lake Winnebago.

Needless to say, the active walleyes have been in the rivers.

In the Fox River, near Rainbow Park in Oshkosh, small to mid-sized walleyes have been present, along with white bass.  Although flies continue to work, a better bite was available with jig and plastics in the main river channel.  The average walleye was somewhere between 10-and 15 inches.  The best speed was pulling the flies up stream between .5 and .7 mph.

At the mouth of the river in Oshkosh, some days have been solid.  When the east winds blew, the bite turned off.  A few larger walleyes were mixed in here targeted with blue or purple flies.

On the Wolf River, Shiocton held some larger female walleyes.  Some of these fish were coming via rip jigging.  Most where coming via pumping flies from a stationary position on a Wolf River style rigs.  There are a lot of walleyes still in the Wolf River, which is normal for this time of the year.

The Bago Walleye Club held event number one this weekend.  44% of the teams brought in a zero.  This reflects how tough the bite has become under the consistent cold front conditions.  The winners were trolling the reefs in Oshkosh in brutal conditions with crankbaits registering just over 10 pounds on five fish.

The main lake saw walleye activity in and around the reefs near the mouth.  Small crankbaits were key, with a slower trolling speed around 1.5 mph.  In many cases trollers needed to grind the baits into the bottom to trigger fish (and lose baits).  Jigs and crawlers are starting to become a better option.

The east shore continues to have a quiet bite in the Pipe area.  Some larger walleyes have been present.  Slow trolling speeds are a must to trigger these fish on larger stick baits.

On windy days look to the windblown side of the reefs, where the plankton is being blown.  This will attract the shad and other bait fish, which brings the walleyes in to feed.

I worked the shorelines of Lake Butte des Mortes expecting post spawn walleyes to be laying in the shallows.  Well, unhappily, I will report….I was wrong.  Even Sunset Point was slow.  Lake Poygan has been quiet, but a fewer larger walleyes are being reported.

The crappie bite has shut down on Lake Winnebago.  The cold waters put these fish in a negative mood.  The upcoming warm front should reinvigorate the action for the crappies in the harbors and streams.  It won’t be long (2 weeks or so) for these fish to move out to the main lake, where the action gets fast and furious.

The white bass run was also on pause. This is starting to pick up again, and some warm temps and sunshine should get the party started.  I would expect this to heat up quickly over this week in both the Wolf and Fox Rivers.  The Wolf River in Fremont was showing large populations of white bass already present.  The large populations of white bass may start to push the walleyes out into the lakes.

Just a quick note on Green Bay.  The University Bay area was fairly quiet this week.  The biggest fish were coming from the east shore, where the walleyes tend to spawn a little later than the west side fish.  Overall, most walleyes on the Lower Bay have been post spawn this week.

We are running a Mother’s day Special on RS Nets this week.  Order direct from http://www.rsnetsusa.com/ and pink nets will be 10% off through Mother’s day (code rs10).  The code is only valid on pink nets, and 5% of the sale will be sent to the National Breast Cancer Foundation courtesy of RS nets.    [email protected] is my email!

With warm temperatures forecasted for the weekend…. Expect busy lakes and rivers.  Critter’s Sports is the only walleye tournament I am aware of going into the weekend (Saturday).  That event is held out of Lake Winneconne/Wolf River.    Get on the water, and take Mom fishing!