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Reports Lake Winnebago, WI

Winnebago Fishing Report 2-20-12

Sturgeon spearing looks to be on a collision course for three full weekends on Lake Winnebago, as poor water clarity, and inconsistent ice plague the majority of the main lake.  Although the main focus of the lake is related to the spearing activity, there are plenty of other anglers chasing bass, walleye and pan fish.

Many of the spearers initially started on the east shore of the lake.  As water clarity decreased in the Pipe and Quinney areas, some of the shanties moved to the south end of the lake or along the west shore-- where clarity was slightly better.

The east shore of the lake hosts the best ice.  We worked the Pipe area for the past week with some strong activity related to perch.  Ice depths ranged from 11” to 17.5” in the areas we fished (water visibility 5 feet), and limited truck traffic was observed. The ice cracks continue to develop and shift frequently, so everyone needs to be very aware of their surroundings every minute on the lake.    In some areas, holes drilled 30 feet apart could result in the difference of clean or dirty water.  Some of the holes drilled had fragmented ice under the hole and the drilled holes continuously filled with ice fragments coming from underneath the sheet of ice.

The perch in this area tended to have periods of heavy activity during the early afternoon.  Waxies on a green jig produced the majority of the fish, with orange being a solid secondary color.  Tip ups with a fathead, also were productive, especially when a small blade was placed above the minnow to add flash.  We also produce some White Bass, eelpout, and small walleyes over the last 10 days.  Banging the jigs on the bottom would call the perch in, and bites were provoked with either a still presentation, or a slow rise up the water column imitating a fleeing organism.

Similar results are being reported further north, near Brothertown.  In this area, orange colored spoons with brass or chrome colored backs were producing white bass.  Saugers were also being reported in this general area.  Unverified ice depths of 14” were reported.

The Black Wolf area (about 8-10 inches of ice) has had only a few reports this week, and the area is generally slow.  The area near Clarence’s (Fond du Lac) has been busy with spearers, and some individuals are reporting seeing nice schools of perch in the general area.  Merritt Street in Oshkosh has a mix of walleyes and white bass reported with about 8 inches of ice present.

Next weekend is the Madison, WI Sports show along with the area’s largest Ice Fishing tournament in Oshkosh called Battle on ‘Bago.  March 3rd and 4th will play host to the Northeast Wisconsin Sports Show in Green Bay at Shopko Hall.  I will be in attendance on Saturday, working in several booths including Tommy Harris Custom Blades.  Hope to see you there!

Stay on top of the water for now, and open water is just around the corner.  The ice in De Pere (Fox River) has started to break up, and could be ready for boat traffic in the next 10 days if predicted weather forecasts prevail.

Winnebago Fishing Report 2-7-12

Warm conditions continue to play havoc with area ice, as Lake Winnebago prepares for Sturgeon Spearing Season next weekend.  The ice is very inconsistent in every portion of the lake, and several yards can make a major difference in ice depths.  The best ice is near the city of Pipe on the east shore with about 12” of ice.  Water clarity/visibility is about 8 to 9 feet.  ATV’s are the only real mode of transportation on the lake currently, other than along the central east shore which has allowed limited vehicle use with high risk.

The west shore bays have between 8-11 inches of ice.  I worked the Wendt’s area this week and found 8.5 inches of ice in most areas.  The ice remains highly unpredictable and dangerous.  Knowing your surroundings with personal ice depth checks is crucial to your ice safety.

Black Wolf (10 inches of ice) has been the hot spot for perch this week.  There is heavy traffic in the area, but the fish are cooperating.  Waxies and small minnows are the bait choices, either on a small jig or a small spoon.  Perch have been averaging 8-10 inches in this area.

Wendt’s (8.5”) has overall been slow…but some people are having good success.  There is a critical factor to success – rocks.  The soft bottom bite is nonexistent.  As a matter of fact, after the 30 holes I drilled, I never saw a fish on the camera including bait fish.  However, the perch and bluegills are holding over the rock bottoms and limits can be taken with hard work.  This is a minnow or minnow head bite on an orange jig.

Asylum Bay (10”), Cowling Bay, the Old Chaparral (5-7”) and Menomonie Park have slowed down greatly over the past 10 days.  There are still a few pan fish in the area, most running on the small size.  Asylum Bay had the best bite of the 4 locations.

Stretch’s/Jesuit area: (10”) The hot white bass and perch bite has disappeared, and the schools have moved out of the area.

Pipe:  (10-14”) There is steady action in this area for white bass, perch, sauger and walleye.  Gold backed jigging spoons have been especially productive.  In most cases, no meat is needed.  Try working your baits in the mid water column, and the active white bass will come off the bottom to strike your presentation.

Calumetville:  (12-14 inches) White bass are present and slamming the spoons and jigging Rapalas.

Some area Ice depth reports not mentioned above (note, the ice is very inconsistent and large variances are common)

Third Reef: 6-8”

CCP: 8”

FDL BP on Scott Street: 6-12”

 

Sturgeon spearing will kick off on Saturday.  The east shore is expecting the most traffic for those hunters.  Please be smart on the ice, so everyone comes home safe each night.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it is my email.  Please feel free to send me any fishing reports you might have experienced.  Thank you to the individuals who contributed.  I’ve sent a few Myfishingpartner.com hats to some of the reporters this week.

Winnebago weekly 1-17-12

Lake Winnebago’s Ice and Lindsey Lohan have a lot in common.  From a distance they sure look fine, but get a closer look and you know you should just stay away.

Persistent warm weather and wind continue to slow ice development on all area lakes.  As recently as Wednesday, areas of the main lake had reopened, especially along the Eastern shore.  The western shore bay’s have solid ice with depths up to 8 inches.  By contrast, one year ago there was over 20” of ice on the main lake, which now only supports just a couple of inches at best.

Overall, fishing for pan fish has been excellent.  Because of the late start to winter many of the early ice patterns continue to be on display in mid January.  Area anglers can only venture a tenth of a mile or so from the shore, making this the only real target on the system.   Some of the best bites in recent history are occurring currently.

Cowling Bay (Oshkosh):  This area is hosting one of the best bites on the lake for white bass and perch.  Bait choice does not matter, as long as it is in the water.  The schools are roaming, so action will pick up for a while and then die off.

Asylum Bay: (Oshkosh) Very crowded with the anglers, but a ton of small to medium sized perch are in the bay.  Bluegills, in scattered concentrations, can also be found.

Menomonie Park:  (Oshkosh) Small perch are present; however, most fishermen have vacated the area in search for the better bites to the north.

Ceape/Otter Street:  Not fit for travel, even by foot.

Stretch’s (Black Wolf area):  There is a great bite going on at this location.  Bluegill, perch, huge white bass and an occasional walleye are being caught.  The fish are highly concentrated in the bay.  Minnows, waxies and spikes are all working well.  Just FYI, it is a good distance from HWY 45 out to the bay via the feeder creek, so come prepared for a hike.

Wendt’s:  (Van Dyne) Big groups of anglers have started invading this area.  No real reports as of yet as to the catch rates.  Traditionally this has been a strong perch area.

Chaparral:  (North Fond du Lac):  The groups of fishermen have abandoned the small harbor, and have moved out to the main lake in the shallow water.  In this area they have found pods of small to midsized perch and bluegills.

Big Hole/Harbor at Lakeside Park (FDL):  Still some activity in the harbor for perch, but most anglers are venturing into some of the new “safe ice” areas along the west shore.

Luco Road/BP (FDL):  Vacant…Parking restrictions in the area have discouraged anglers from setting up here.  Tickets for parking in this area exceed $150 (unconfirmed).

East Shore:  Ice is not supporting traffic, even by foot, in most locations.

Lake Poygan: (Winneconne) White Bass and walleyes are starting to become common on Lake Poygan.  Gold, slender spoons are a wise choice.  Some vehicle travel has begun on Lake Poygan, and some vehicles have started breaking through the ice…..Cars and trucks should not be on any area lakes at this point, as the ice is simply not ready for this yet.

Tew’s Two will hold their free sports show this weekend on Saturday.  Tommy Harris Blades will be debuting their Green Bay series of blades at the show.  Be safe on the Ice!  Feel free to contact me with your questions or fishing reports.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  As always, thanks for your support of our site.

Winnebago Weekly 1-31-12

Winnebago Weekly 1-31-2012

2012 has been a challenge for most area anglers until this past week arrived. A cold front pushed through the area, answering many area fishermen’s requests. Lake Winnebago’s ice solidified to some extent allowing anglers to leave the bays and shorelines to explorer new territory for the first time this season. Ice depths were very inconsistent, ranging from 5” to 14” inches over the main lake. A huge north to south orientated crack has formed, running nearly the length of the entire lake. Water clarity is about 7 feet currently. There remains a decent perch and bluegill bite occurring in the bays and along the shorelines. Walleyes remain scattered, but are only occasionally active.

Lake Poygan continues to be busy. There are mixed bags reported with pan fish, walleyes and white bass. A few pike are being reported also. The ice on Lake Poygan is much better than Winnebago, as related to depth. Vehicle traffic is occurring, but not recommended. Ice depths tend to be a little more consistent on this lake, ranging from 10” to 14”. The heavy traffic on this lake may be resulting in a negative fish mood.

Areas of Interest:

Old Chaparral Area (NFDL): The harbor has been vacated on most days with most of the angler moving out onto the main lake. In this region, decent sized perch are being caught along with bluegills. Wendt’s (Van Dyne): Most anglers are remaining inside of the island. Small perch are in the area.

Stretch’s (Black Wolf): The traffic in this area picked up greatly since the last report. Strong numbers of White Bass, perch and bluegills inhabit this area. They have become spooky with the increased activity overhead, so move to get away from the pack, when possible. Waxies and minnows are both being reported as strong choices for bait.

Asylum Bay: Perch continue to be active in the area; however, are running on the small size. Large schools of bait fish remain in this bay, keeping the perch attracted to this area.

East Shore: Fisherman’s Road has seen some light traffic and reports have indicated it is fairly slow for all fish in this area. There is a tree line established out of Pipe (maybe a couple of miles) with ice depths at about 12”. The northern end of the east shore has some very questionable ice, with heavy shoves and multiple cracks. There also appears to be some open water/surface water spots in this general area.

Gladwater Beach area (Central east shore): There have been multiple reports of a solid white bass school roaming in this area. Spoons and jigging Rapalas are the preferred baits.

Be careful on the ice as the warmer weather re-emerges. The sturgeon spearing season will begin Feb 11th. Activity on the main lake will pick up substantially over the next week, with shacks being placed and hunters doing their initial scouting trips. Chances are that the concentrations of shacks will be thick in the few areas which will be accessible this year, so be prepared to spear in a crowd. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it is my email. Please feel free to drop me a line as how your fishing excursion turned out!

Winnebago Weekly 1-6-12

With a few days of below normal temperatures, Lake Winnebago now has a full ice sheet for the first time this year. The ice is not ready for travel just yet, but fishermen have been venturing out on foot several hundred yards from some of the shorelines to find 2-3 inches of ice. With forecasted temperatures projected above normal, we may still be several weeks away from substantial ice, and may even experience setbacks from the current conditions.

Fishing reports have been very positive for pan fish. Since the system is not giving us solid ice to get out to the walleyes, they have been scarce to date.

The feeder creek near the Jesuit Retreat in Black Wolf (also known as Stretch) has had a hot bite working for bluegill, crappie, perch and an occasional bass.

The Old Chaparral in North Fond du Lac is having similar success stories in the small bay near the parking area and in the shallow water areas on the main lake just outside the channels.

Fond du Lac’s harbor (big hole) has had a lot of pressure, but perch remain consistent in this area. The average size is about 6-9 inches. These fish prefer small minnows on a plain gold or red hook. Piggybacking multiple minnows on a single hook has been attracting larger perch

.

Asylum Bay has been hammered over the past several weeks, and fishing has slowed down in this area. There remains a lot of small perch in the area. The same holds true at Menomonie Park in Oshkosh.

Cowling Bay has had plenty of activity also. Some decent baskets of panfish are being reported.

The Wolf River continues to produce crappie, bluegills and perch in excellent sizes in the backwater areas.

Lake Poygan has some deeper ice depths at about 5-6 inches, but access is limited due to cracks and ice shoves. There are active white bass and a stray walleye if you can get past the shoves. Looking for an odd ball Ice Auger blade? Check out River Haus in Fond du Lac. He carries some off brand blades at the shop, along with a nice selection of ice jigs.

We will continue to update reports about every week or so, assuming the ice continues to improve. Remember that the ice depths currently can fluctuate greatly in just a few feet of surface area, so extreme caution must be used when on the ice. Thank you for your support of the website, and let a friend know about these reports and our other features.

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