By: Mark Schram, Myfishingpartner.com
Lake Winnebago and surrounding areas have seen a very mild late fall season. In many years, most of the back bays and harbors on the Winnebago system would be full of fisherman testing the ice and pan fish bites. This year, no hint of ice has developed and the first signs of snow are just occurring. Lake Poygan is ready for ice, with 34-degree water readings on Sunday. We are in the “hurry up and wait” mode for ice. System water clarity is strongly stained currently.
This report is a courtesy report for our out of state customers which utilize this report as the gauge as to when to travel to the region to partake in some excellent ice fishing.
Overall system condition remains positive heading into the 2016-17 ice season on Lake Winnebago. Heavy populations of shad and other bait fish are in the system. This will initially slow the overall bite, but the expectation is that the fish caught will be healthy and likely running on the heavy side due to the abundant forage.
The post Labor Day period saw very light traffic from anglers on Lake Winnebago, and those on the water were mainly targeting white bass and perch. Walleyes have been left undistributed for the past 3 months, and given their abundant nature, plenty of opportunities should be available this winter once the bait population decreases. Honestly, I have not seen a boat on the main lake in almost three weeks. The two reports I did receive indicated both reporters were skunked on Lake Winnebago.
White bass will likely be the most sought after fish by mid-ice on Lake Winnebago and Lake Poygan. The size of many of these monsters have become picture worthy. I expect an outstanding white bass season in 2017.
Perch, crappies and bluegills will remain hot tickets on early ice. The perch population is in decline due to exploitation, natural causes (birds and etc.) and poor year classes; but, when caught have had excellent size. Crappies are expected to be abundant especially along the west shore of Lake Winnebago and in Lake Poygan.
Currently, open water opportunities are still available, especially in the Wolf River. Many male walleyes have staged into the Wolf River for the winter, pre-staging for the annual spawning run in spring. Some of these fish will slide back to Lake Poygan over the course of the winter, assuming food sources become depleted in the Wolf River.
In areas outside of the Winnebago systems: Brown trout are moving into the river systems associated with Lake Michigan along Wisconsin’s east coast. These fish are moving toward the dams to spawn from their normal residence of Lake Michigan. Spawn sacs are the best attractant currently. There also has been some steelhead trout present; however. the last of the king salmon are gone.
The Bay of Green Bay is still producing opportunities for musky and trophy walleye. This system seems to be a little behind normal trends due to warmer water (mid 40’s). The Fox River in DePere is hosting a lot of white bass and white fish (currently spawning).
The weather forecast is calling for ice making temperatures. We are still several weeks away from having good and safe ice on the Winnebago system. 
My Fishing Partner is excited to welcome Nate Winters to our team. Nate is the owner of Alpha Hunters, and a renowned outdoor film producer. He spends much of his fall filming hunts for some of the biggest names in the hunting world. Nate will focus on ice fishing on the Winnebago system this winter, mainly in blog and video form. Look for his content shortly.
More reports to come…when we finally get some ice! [email protected] is my email. Stay tuned, we are getting close to some ice.
