Winnebago County Fishing Hot Spots Thread

[keith]

For the big fishing stories, see our Fishing! FishOn! Wisconsin Fishing Forums.

This thread is the place to click "Post Reply" and tell us where the fish are biting in Winnebago County!

You can also announce tournaments and such in this county here in this thread. (The main fishing forums recommended for that as well).

Please post this kind of information:

Subject Line: Lake or river name and what kind of fish are hitting

In the text: Please tell us whatever you can, including:

- where on the Lake / River
- what depth
- time of day
- bait / lure / presentation / colors
- boat access (and cost)

and anything else about the area like local bait shops, water hazards, alternative species and tackle in case the main stuff isn't happening, local places to stay, guide services, etc.

If it is an advertisement, put it in the classifieds; otherwise, hope you'll share some info for all. Just click "Post Reply".

Regards,
Keith

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[AlumniClub]

Second-largest of the “minor” lakes on the Winnebago system, Lake Butte des Morts is also the lake with the most ominous name. Literally “Hill of Death,” Butte des Morts is hardly a corpse, however. In fact, its 8,857 acres of turbid water literally teem with life. For the lake is home to a fine fishery. More than any other lake in the Winnebago system, Butte is known for its Muskie fishery. Summers, they’re chiefly taken on Perch-pattern bucktails with bright blades below Oakwood Point, around Shangri La Point, or in Sunset Bay. In the fall, throw large suckers. Walleyes run up to 7 or 8 pounds in Butte and are most often taken in the Wolf River channel in the lake’s west end in the spring, during the spawning run. Or, fish them then, as well, off the mouth of the Fox River and in the small deep pockets upriver from the lake; use your electronics to pinpoint the deep spots. The Rocks off Sunset Point are an excellent place to take Walleyes, too. As is the weedy, riprapped area east of Gun Club Island. Then, too, there’s the nice rock bar off Plummer Point on the north shore. The rocks end in a cane bed, and you can find Northern Pike and Muskies, as a “bonus.” Speaking of Northerns, fish them in the spring off the marshes around Slough Creek in Sunset Bay or take them in the summer around the break walls at mid-lake. In the same areas, you’ll often find Perch. They run to decent size here: 7- to 9 inches. Off Oakwood Point, meanwhile, you’ll also find Perch, and the rocks hold Smallmouth Bass well into the summer.

GB2

[AlumniClub]

Winnebago’s 137,708 acres and 85 miles of shoreline encompass 696 billion gallons of water whose transparency varies from nearly crystal-clarity in the winter and spring to green murkiness in summer’s “dog days.” And these waters teem with fish. As is the case in most other fishable lakes in the state, the DNR keeps track of the fishery and periodically estimates the population of gamefish and panfish species. In most Wisconsin lakes, the population estimates are expressed in terms of scores, hundreds – or at most thousands – of fish. But Winnebago’s population of legal-size Walleyes ALONE was estimated in the spring of 1998 at 1.4 million fish. So it’s easy to see that Winnebago is unique. In Wisconsin, at least, it’s unsurpassed in terms of fishery.
This isn’t likely to change anytime soon, either – at least for the state’s favorite fish, Walleyes. According to the DNR, the goggle eye population in Winnebago, is entirely self-sustaining. This is good news, of course, in an era when most lakes’ Walleye populations come from stocked fish. But the news gets even better. In 1996 spawning Walleyes produced a “phenomenal” year class. This was followed in 1997 by another good spawning year. Since Walleyes typically take three to four years to reach the 15-inch “legal” size, 1996 and ‘97 fish haven’t been included in the legal-size fish estimate. So, with a bumper 1996 Walleye crop and a good 1997 year class, an excellent Walleye fishery appears to be in the offing for 1999 and beyond. In fact, the DNR expects ‘96 and ‘97 Walleyes to fill out stringers for the next seven to 10 years.
In late February to March, they usually head up the Fox and Wolf Rivers to spawn, but are back in the lake again by mid-April. Typically, they’re not feeding until late April, when you can begin taking them then on jig/minnow combinations along the shorelines and around the close-in reefs. The reefs off Perkins Point and Asylum Point are good central-lake shallows to try in the spring. Then, in mid-may through June, you can begin finding Walleyes in developing weedbeds in a few of the big lake’s bays. North Asylum Bay is a good spot to try, as are the weedbeds from Stony Point to Streich Point. Kalbus Reef, off Fahrney Point, will hold May-June Walleye, as well. By late June the Walleyes will have dispersed toward the mudflats at the lake’s center. Then use your electronics to locate baitfish, and troll Rapalas or Thundersticks over them. Rainbow Trout pattern and “Clown” color Raps are hot currently. On the east side, work the shallow reefs and breaklines from the Gladstone Beach launch site on south. The reefs off Black Wolf Point and Point Comfort are reliable producers at this time, as well. In June, head out to Oelerich Reef, and cast or troll crankbaits. And, of course, there are the mudflats to be trolled in summer. In the lake’s northern end Walleyes are often hanging around the emerging weeds off Brighton Beach in the spring, and they can be found on the rocky humps, as well, just west of Lighthouse Reef. In late May-June turn your attention elsewhere. Bay-fishing, then, is an excellent way to take Walleye. Don’t, however, concentrate all of your May-June northern-lake efforts on the bays. A few “heads-ups” are in order for those intending to fish Winnebago. First, heavy recreation and angling pressure strain what would be more than adequate boat-launching facilities on any other lake. Fero suggests getting to the launch sites by 4 a.m. if you want a slot. Second are safety concerns. At 30 miles long by nine miles wide, Winnebago is big water. A 6-foot chop isn’t uncommon in a stiff wind, a storm can blow up over the lake in 10 minutes, and boats get swamped. Make sure, therefore, that you don’t overload your boat, and carry flotation devices and flares – maybe even an extra motor – just in case. Finally, electronics are valuable. Sonar will help locate reefs and baitfish. And a GPS will steer you back there again.

GB2

[AlumniClub]

Since Lake Winneconne is, for all practical purposes, little more than an extension of Poygan, you’d think the fisheries would be similar. And you’d be right. But the locations, of course, are a bit different. The best way to catch Walleyes in Winneconne, says Sickinger, is to hang around the Highway 116 bridge in the spring to catch the spawning run. Fish the edges of the deeper channel with shiners. Or, troll the deeper water in the river channel off Harpers Point in June with crankbaits. You’ll catch Walleyes here, and there’s also a chance for some Perch around the buoys. Fish for Northerns and panfish early on the north shore in Clarks Bay, and for spring Bluegill off Indian Shores on the lake’s east side. Take White Bass near the Highway 116 bridge after the Walleye run.

GB2

[AlumniClub]

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.


GB2

[AlumniClub]

They've opened a few gates at the Neenah dam; I suspect the increased water flow will inhibit ice formation by sewage treatment plant for a while

[AlumniClub]

well night time and morning before sun up seem to be the best times to fish down at the dam right now. if your looking for a color to use play around with different color combinations it changes from day to day never the same.

[AlumniClub]

Report for Little Lake Butte Des Morts - You can catch all the perch you want in the locks right now with a bobber and a worm.