A return to near normal temperatures was seen throughout east central Wisconsin late last week. The prolonged cool weather, looks to be a thing of the past with a above normal temperature forecast looming for the Lake Winnebago region.
Water temperatures on the Winnebago system is variable, but rising. On Lake Winnebago, Fond du Lac was registering 63 degrees, Oshkosh at 64 and Menesha at 55 degrees on Sunday Morning. Water clarity has been very clear, especially on the north and south shores of Lake Winnebago. Lake Poygan has temperatures at 66 degrees. On the Wolf River, New London registered 62 degrees.
Repeated this week, I was asked “where are the walleyes?” Given the conditions of the Wolf and Fox River, where high water and consistent current are the norm, there has been no reason for many of the remaining male walleyes to push back to the lakes. The forage base is massive currently (both in the river and the lakes) so food is readily available.
When the water levels/current decline or the water temperatures push into an uncomfortable zone — only then will the walleyes come down in numbers. In 2017, the walleyes have trickled through the system creating frustration for many area anglers expecting a large run.
White bass are currently headed up the rivers on the Winnebago system. Excellent opportunities are occurring now on both the Wolf and Fox Rivers. Purple has been an excellent color choice for flies this year. The main run could occur this week, based on weather forecasts.
Here is some location specific information:
East Shore Lake Winnebago: Some walleyes have started filtering back into the area, many of which are the 2015 class or mid-sized males. Sheephead have been common. A few crappies are being caught.
North Shore Lake Winnebago: A very vacant place, with the clear water making it for difficult fishing conditions. The colder water has also been a hindrance in drawing fish into the area.
South Shore Lake Winnebago (Fond du Lac): The crappie run is on! The crappie class is impressive with average fish in the 13-16-inch range. These fish are feeding on forage minnows, and this is the best attractant currently. Smaller minnows were decisively better than shiners or larger fat heads. The use of an attractant jig was also key to the catch, and I found orange/yellow mini-mites as the best combination.
West Shore Lake Winnebago: Some pockets of crappies are being found in the back bays, feeder creeks and channels late this past week. Walleyes have filtered out of the river and are staging in rock/gravel bottom areas near the river’s mouth. Dragged jigs with crawlers or leeches have done well.
Lake Poygan and Lake Winnconne have seen increased action for white bass and walleyes. Although I would not classify the bite as hot, it has improved as the week progressed. The Winneconne bridge has seen a few good evenings.
The Wolf River has walleyes filtering down, and white bass pushing up the river. There are plenty of fishermen working the area, so expect busy boat launches and traffic on the river. Green jigs tipped with crawlers was the ticket for walleyes, while pulling flies was effective for white bass. White bass were also attracted to spinners and minnow style crankbaits.
I focused on a forgotten area in North Eastern Wisconsin – the Fox River in Green Bay. My target was on huge white bass, which moved out of the river late in the week. What I ended up running into was large numbers of post spawn male walleyes moving back to the Bay of Green Bay. The action was insane, with a 3-fish limit on the first day in 14 minutes, and the second day in 9 minutes. By Sunday, the water temps had jumped and sheephead were heading into spawn further pushing the walleyes out of the area. This was a Salmo hornet #4 bite behind the Off Shore planner board in shallow water.
I am aware of an individual who believes they have set a new Wisconsin record for white bass. Not one record, but two. The catch and release record and overall record (on two separate fish). The fish are in the certification phase.
Have a great week on the water. Tournament season will kicked into full gear this weekend with four separate tournaments scheduled for the weekend (most based out of Winneconne).
Mark Schram
My Fishing Partner
mark@myfishingpartner.com
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