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Poygan Lake Info
Poygan – an angler’s smorgasbord
At 14,102 acres in surface area, Lake Poygan would be considered a big lake in any other area of the state. However, in Winnebago County, it’s only one fair-size lake among three. And the fair-size lakes are far outclassed by big Lake Winnebago, which is some five times the size of all three combined. Poygan’s shallow, dirty waters, however, offer excellent opportunities for the angler. Dick Sickinger, owner of Fox River Bait & Tackle, 1415 Rainbow Drive, Oshkosh (920) 233-7409, says the fishery is a virtual smorgasbord. Walleyes are naturally reproducing and large – up to 26 inches or so. In addition, there are trophy-size Northern Pike – fish up to 40 inches – and some decent, 6- to 7-inch Bluegills. Then there are the Bass: Largemouth Bass and White Bass. Finally, there are Muskies. Muskellunge, says Sickinger, are found all over the Winnebago system. They’re not as numerous in Poygan as they are in Butte des Morts, but they’re here, and they’re big. Sickinger says 50-inchers have been pulled out, including one monster that had a 4-inch-wide mouth. Look for them around the shallows in the spring and the deeper holes in summer. Bucktails and big crankbaits will tempt them if they’re in the mood. For Walleyes, there’s no better area than the deep hole which runs almost straight down the lake’s center. The best success is achieved by trolling here in the summer and offering live bait through the ice in the winter. Another good Walleye spot, says Sickinger is the cane beds off both ends of the small island guarding the channel to Lake Winneconne. Offer jig/leech combinations from May on, and fish the area, also for Northerns and pannies. And, speaking of Northerns and panfish, try the cane beds straight out from the launch site in the center of the north shore. Spinners will do nicely for the alligators; jig/waxies will handle the panfish. Boom Bay on the north shore, meanwhile, is the place to go summers for ‘gills and Largemouth, and you’ll also find bucketmouths off the mouth of the Wolf River and in Pages Slough, the toadstool-shaped body of water straight north from the mouth. Finally, take White Bass in the straight run of the Wolf River and in the lower reaches of the Rat River. Ice anglers should be wary of Poygan. Its ice can be treacherous, particularly on the south side. Sickinger advises watching for wet spots in the snow, and he strongly suggests following the roads plowed on the ice.
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