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"Early Spring Fishing on Lake Winnebago: Walleye, Bass, and Panfish Bite"
The fishing scene around Lake Winnebago this Friday, April 4, 2025, is shaping up to be a classic early spring experience. Dawn broke at 6:30 AM with the sun setting at 7:29 PM, giving anglers a good stretch of daylight to work with. Temperatures are hovering in the mid-40s to low-50s with light winds, making it a comfortable day on the water.
Fish activity is picking up as water temperatures slowly rise. Walleye are the star of the show right now, with the spring pre-spawn season in full swing. These fish are congregating around the lake's eastern reefs and particularly near Kelly’s Point and Reef. Trolling with live bait like minnows or using crankbaits such as Shad Raps and Wally Divers has been highly effective. For those targeting bass, smallmouth and largemouth are being found along rocky shores and shallow waters, especially in spots like Black Wolf Point and around docks.
Water clarity is moderate, averaging just over 5 feet, which should be decent for targeting species like yellow perch and crappie. Perch are showing up in the southern third of the lake, responding well to slip-bobbers paired with wax worms or nightcrawlers. Crappie catches remain sparse but are worth pursuing near structure in shallower zones.
Recent reports indicate no monster hauls, but some good numbers. Bass and walleye fishing have been steadier than other species, with locals favoring buzzbaits, swim jigs, and bladed jigs for largemouth. Meanwhile, walleye anglers are sticking to trolling patterns across deeper mudflats and reefs. Keep an eye out for suspended schools of walleye using electronics in deeper waters off Oshkosh.
Two hotspots to highlight today are Long Point Reef and Miller’s Bay. Long Point is holding both walleyes and perch, with anglers having success using crankbaits and slip-bobbers tipped with live bait. Miller’s Bay is bustling with activity as well, drawing in northern pike, panfish, and largemouth bass.
For bait and lures, prioritize live minnows, leeches, nightcrawlers, or plastic setups like Flicker Shads and ThunderSticks. Natural colors work best given the clarity, but don’t shy away from experimenting with flashy colors like blue and chartreuse if the bite slows down.
Overall, today’s gentle weather and improving fish activity make for a promising day on Lake Winnebago. Get your gear ready and maybe hit Kelly's Point or Miller’s Bay early for some action-packed fishing. Tight lines!
Fish activity is picking up as water temperatures slowly rise. Walleye are the star of the show right now, with the spring pre-spawn season in full swing. These fish are congregating around the lake's eastern reefs and particularly near Kelly’s Point and Reef. Trolling with live bait like minnows or using crankbaits such as Shad Raps and Wally Divers has been highly effective. For those targeting bass, smallmouth and largemouth are being found along rocky shores and shallow waters, especially in spots like Black Wolf Point and around docks.
Water clarity is moderate, averaging just over 5 feet, which should be decent for targeting species like yellow perch and crappie. Perch are showing up in the southern third of the lake, responding well to slip-bobbers paired with wax worms or nightcrawlers. Crappie catches remain sparse but are worth pursuing near structure in shallower zones.
Recent reports indicate no monster hauls, but some good numbers. Bass and walleye fishing have been steadier than other species, with locals favoring buzzbaits, swim jigs, and bladed jigs for largemouth. Meanwhile, walleye anglers are sticking to trolling patterns across deeper mudflats and reefs. Keep an eye out for suspended schools of walleye using electronics in deeper waters off Oshkosh.
Two hotspots to highlight today are Long Point Reef and Miller’s Bay. Long Point is holding both walleyes and perch, with anglers having success using crankbaits and slip-bobbers tipped with live bait. Miller’s Bay is bustling with activity as well, drawing in northern pike, panfish, and largemouth bass.
For bait and lures, prioritize live minnows, leeches, nightcrawlers, or plastic setups like Flicker Shads and ThunderSticks. Natural colors work best given the clarity, but don’t shy away from experimenting with flashy colors like blue and chartreuse if the bite slows down.
Overall, today’s gentle weather and improving fish activity make for a promising day on Lake Winnebago. Get your gear ready and maybe hit Kelly's Point or Miller’s Bay early for some action-packed fishing. Tight lines!
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By Quiet. PleaseThe fishing scene around Lake Winnebago this Friday, April 4, 2025, is shaping up to be a classic early spring experience. Dawn broke at 6:30 AM with the sun setting at 7:29 PM, giving anglers a good stretch of daylight to work with. Temperatures are hovering in the mid-40s to low-50s with light winds, making it a comfortable day on the water.
Fish activity is picking up as water temperatures slowly rise. Walleye are the star of the show right now, with the spring pre-spawn season in full swing. These fish are congregating around the lake's eastern reefs and particularly near Kelly’s Point and Reef. Trolling with live bait like minnows or using crankbaits such as Shad Raps and Wally Divers has been highly effective. For those targeting bass, smallmouth and largemouth are being found along rocky shores and shallow waters, especially in spots like Black Wolf Point and around docks.
Water clarity is moderate, averaging just over 5 feet, which should be decent for targeting species like yellow perch and crappie. Perch are showing up in the southern third of the lake, responding well to slip-bobbers paired with wax worms or nightcrawlers. Crappie catches remain sparse but are worth pursuing near structure in shallower zones.
Recent reports indicate no monster hauls, but some good numbers. Bass and walleye fishing have been steadier than other species, with locals favoring buzzbaits, swim jigs, and bladed jigs for largemouth. Meanwhile, walleye anglers are sticking to trolling patterns across deeper mudflats and reefs. Keep an eye out for suspended schools of walleye using electronics in deeper waters off Oshkosh.
Two hotspots to highlight today are Long Point Reef and Miller’s Bay. Long Point is holding both walleyes and perch, with anglers having success using crankbaits and slip-bobbers tipped with live bait. Miller’s Bay is bustling with activity as well, drawing in northern pike, panfish, and largemouth bass.
For bait and lures, prioritize live minnows, leeches, nightcrawlers, or plastic setups like Flicker Shads and ThunderSticks. Natural colors work best given the clarity, but don’t shy away from experimenting with flashy colors like blue and chartreuse if the bite slows down.
Overall, today’s gentle weather and improving fish activity make for a promising day on Lake Winnebago. Get your gear ready and maybe hit Kelly's Point or Miller’s Bay early for some action-packed fishing. Tight lines!
Fish activity is picking up as water temperatures slowly rise. Walleye are the star of the show right now, with the spring pre-spawn season in full swing. These fish are congregating around the lake's eastern reefs and particularly near Kelly’s Point and Reef. Trolling with live bait like minnows or using crankbaits such as Shad Raps and Wally Divers has been highly effective. For those targeting bass, smallmouth and largemouth are being found along rocky shores and shallow waters, especially in spots like Black Wolf Point and around docks.
Water clarity is moderate, averaging just over 5 feet, which should be decent for targeting species like yellow perch and crappie. Perch are showing up in the southern third of the lake, responding well to slip-bobbers paired with wax worms or nightcrawlers. Crappie catches remain sparse but are worth pursuing near structure in shallower zones.
Recent reports indicate no monster hauls, but some good numbers. Bass and walleye fishing have been steadier than other species, with locals favoring buzzbaits, swim jigs, and bladed jigs for largemouth. Meanwhile, walleye anglers are sticking to trolling patterns across deeper mudflats and reefs. Keep an eye out for suspended schools of walleye using electronics in deeper waters off Oshkosh.
Two hotspots to highlight today are Long Point Reef and Miller’s Bay. Long Point is holding both walleyes and perch, with anglers having success using crankbaits and slip-bobbers tipped with live bait. Miller’s Bay is bustling with activity as well, drawing in northern pike, panfish, and largemouth bass.
For bait and lures, prioritize live minnows, leeches, nightcrawlers, or plastic setups like Flicker Shads and ThunderSticks. Natural colors work best given the clarity, but don’t shy away from experimenting with flashy colors like blue and chartreuse if the bite slows down.
Overall, today’s gentle weather and improving fish activity make for a promising day on Lake Winnebago. Get your gear ready and maybe hit Kelly's Point or Miller’s Bay early for some action-packed fishing. Tight lines!