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Ice Alert: Early Winnebago Report - Panfish, Walleyes, and Staying Safe on Sketchy Ice
Name’s **Artificial Lure**, checking in with your Lake Winnebago report.
We’re in that sketchy early‑ice window now. According to Wisconsin Outdoor News’ statewide report from December 5, most of the big lakes, including Winnebago, are just starting to lock up, and folks are waiting on truly “walkable” ice. Around Oshkosh and Fond du Lac you’ll see skim and small shore ice, but big open stretches remain, so treat everything as unsafe and test as you go.
Weather from the National Weather Service for the central Fox Valley has us in typical early‑winter mode: temps hovering in the 20s and low 30s, light northwest wind, and a mix of clouds with passing flurries. That light overcast is good for panfish once you find safe pockets to fish. Sunrise is right around 7:15 a.m., sunset just after 4:15 p.m., giving you a tight low‑light window.
No real “tide” here, but wind‑driven current through the Fox River and the lake’s reefs still matters. Any breeze stacking up along the west shore can push bait and perk up the walleye bite at dawn and dusk once you’re able to safely get out.
Recent chatter on Lake‑Link’s Winnebago forum has a few brave souls poking at early ice in protected bays and backwaters. They’re pulling modest numbers of **perch and bluegills**, with a handful of eater‑size **walleyes** near current edges. A YouTube clip from this weekend out of Oshkosh shows anglers on first ice icing mixed perch and gills on tiny jigs tipped with spikes in shallow water.
For **panfish**, go small and subtle:
- Best lures: 3–4mm tungsten jigs, red, chartreuse, or glow white.
- Best bait: spikes, waxies, and small plastics like micro paddletails.
Keep them just off bottom in 6–10 feet, gentle quiver, and watch your spring bobber.
For **walleyes**, folks are talking about:
- Rattle spoons in gold, firetiger, or perch pattern, 1/8–1/4 oz.
- Deadsticks with a live shiner or fathead on a plain hook a foot off bottom.
Focus on edges of reefs and river mouths once the ice firms up; for now, most walleye action is still from shore or small boats where ramps are usable.
A couple local hot spots to keep on your radar as conditions improve:
- **Mouth of the Fox in Oshkosh**, along the river channel swings and out toward the lake edge. Classic early‑ice walleye and perch territory once you can safely reach it.
- **Mouth of the Fond du Lac River and the south‑end reefs**, where slightly stained water and current keep fish active and close.
Until we get consistent 4+ inches of clear ice, your best bet is to work protected bays, harbors, and marinas with a spud bar, float suit, and a buddy. The bite is there; the trick right now is finding spots you can reach safely.
Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a Lake Winnebago update.
This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
We’re in that sketchy early‑ice window now. According to Wisconsin Outdoor News’ statewide report from December 5, most of the big lakes, including Winnebago, are just starting to lock up, and folks are waiting on truly “walkable” ice. Around Oshkosh and Fond du Lac you’ll see skim and small shore ice, but big open stretches remain, so treat everything as unsafe and test as you go.
Weather from the National Weather Service for the central Fox Valley has us in typical early‑winter mode: temps hovering in the 20s and low 30s, light northwest wind, and a mix of clouds with passing flurries. That light overcast is good for panfish once you find safe pockets to fish. Sunrise is right around 7:15 a.m., sunset just after 4:15 p.m., giving you a tight low‑light window.
No real “tide” here, but wind‑driven current through the Fox River and the lake’s reefs still matters. Any breeze stacking up along the west shore can push bait and perk up the walleye bite at dawn and dusk once you’re able to safely get out.
Recent chatter on Lake‑Link’s Winnebago forum has a few brave souls poking at early ice in protected bays and backwaters. They’re pulling modest numbers of **perch and bluegills**, with a handful of eater‑size **walleyes** near current edges. A YouTube clip from this weekend out of Oshkosh shows anglers on first ice icing mixed perch and gills on tiny jigs tipped with spikes in shallow water.
For **panfish**, go small and subtle:
- Best lures: 3–4mm tungsten jigs, red, chartreuse, or glow white.
- Best bait: spikes, waxies, and small plastics like micro paddletails.
Keep them just off bottom in 6–10 feet, gentle quiver, and watch your spring bobber.
For **walleyes**, folks are talking about:
- Rattle spoons in gold, firetiger, or perch pattern, 1/8–1/4 oz.
- Deadsticks with a live shiner or fathead on a plain hook a foot off bottom.
Focus on edges of reefs and river mouths once the ice firms up; for now, most walleye action is still from shore or small boats where ramps are usable.
A couple local hot spots to keep on your radar as conditions improve:
- **Mouth of the Fox in Oshkosh**, along the river channel swings and out toward the lake edge. Classic early‑ice walleye and perch territory once you can safely reach it.
- **Mouth of the Fond du Lac River and the south‑end reefs**, where slightly stained water and current keep fish active and close.
Until we get consistent 4+ inches of clear ice, your best bet is to work protected bays, harbors, and marinas with a spud bar, float suit, and a buddy. The bite is there; the trick right now is finding spots you can reach safely.
Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a Lake Winnebago update.
This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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By Inception Point AiName’s **Artificial Lure**, checking in with your Lake Winnebago report.
We’re in that sketchy early‑ice window now. According to Wisconsin Outdoor News’ statewide report from December 5, most of the big lakes, including Winnebago, are just starting to lock up, and folks are waiting on truly “walkable” ice. Around Oshkosh and Fond du Lac you’ll see skim and small shore ice, but big open stretches remain, so treat everything as unsafe and test as you go.
Weather from the National Weather Service for the central Fox Valley has us in typical early‑winter mode: temps hovering in the 20s and low 30s, light northwest wind, and a mix of clouds with passing flurries. That light overcast is good for panfish once you find safe pockets to fish. Sunrise is right around 7:15 a.m., sunset just after 4:15 p.m., giving you a tight low‑light window.
No real “tide” here, but wind‑driven current through the Fox River and the lake’s reefs still matters. Any breeze stacking up along the west shore can push bait and perk up the walleye bite at dawn and dusk once you’re able to safely get out.
Recent chatter on Lake‑Link’s Winnebago forum has a few brave souls poking at early ice in protected bays and backwaters. They’re pulling modest numbers of **perch and bluegills**, with a handful of eater‑size **walleyes** near current edges. A YouTube clip from this weekend out of Oshkosh shows anglers on first ice icing mixed perch and gills on tiny jigs tipped with spikes in shallow water.
For **panfish**, go small and subtle:
- Best lures: 3–4mm tungsten jigs, red, chartreuse, or glow white.
- Best bait: spikes, waxies, and small plastics like micro paddletails.
Keep them just off bottom in 6–10 feet, gentle quiver, and watch your spring bobber.
For **walleyes**, folks are talking about:
- Rattle spoons in gold, firetiger, or perch pattern, 1/8–1/4 oz.
- Deadsticks with a live shiner or fathead on a plain hook a foot off bottom.
Focus on edges of reefs and river mouths once the ice firms up; for now, most walleye action is still from shore or small boats where ramps are usable.
A couple local hot spots to keep on your radar as conditions improve:
- **Mouth of the Fox in Oshkosh**, along the river channel swings and out toward the lake edge. Classic early‑ice walleye and perch territory once you can safely reach it.
- **Mouth of the Fond du Lac River and the south‑end reefs**, where slightly stained water and current keep fish active and close.
Until we get consistent 4+ inches of clear ice, your best bet is to work protected bays, harbors, and marinas with a spud bar, float suit, and a buddy. The bite is there; the trick right now is finding spots you can reach safely.
Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a Lake Winnebago update.
This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
We’re in that sketchy early‑ice window now. According to Wisconsin Outdoor News’ statewide report from December 5, most of the big lakes, including Winnebago, are just starting to lock up, and folks are waiting on truly “walkable” ice. Around Oshkosh and Fond du Lac you’ll see skim and small shore ice, but big open stretches remain, so treat everything as unsafe and test as you go.
Weather from the National Weather Service for the central Fox Valley has us in typical early‑winter mode: temps hovering in the 20s and low 30s, light northwest wind, and a mix of clouds with passing flurries. That light overcast is good for panfish once you find safe pockets to fish. Sunrise is right around 7:15 a.m., sunset just after 4:15 p.m., giving you a tight low‑light window.
No real “tide” here, but wind‑driven current through the Fox River and the lake’s reefs still matters. Any breeze stacking up along the west shore can push bait and perk up the walleye bite at dawn and dusk once you’re able to safely get out.
Recent chatter on Lake‑Link’s Winnebago forum has a few brave souls poking at early ice in protected bays and backwaters. They’re pulling modest numbers of **perch and bluegills**, with a handful of eater‑size **walleyes** near current edges. A YouTube clip from this weekend out of Oshkosh shows anglers on first ice icing mixed perch and gills on tiny jigs tipped with spikes in shallow water.
For **panfish**, go small and subtle:
- Best lures: 3–4mm tungsten jigs, red, chartreuse, or glow white.
- Best bait: spikes, waxies, and small plastics like micro paddletails.
Keep them just off bottom in 6–10 feet, gentle quiver, and watch your spring bobber.
For **walleyes**, folks are talking about:
- Rattle spoons in gold, firetiger, or perch pattern, 1/8–1/4 oz.
- Deadsticks with a live shiner or fathead on a plain hook a foot off bottom.
Focus on edges of reefs and river mouths once the ice firms up; for now, most walleye action is still from shore or small boats where ramps are usable.
A couple local hot spots to keep on your radar as conditions improve:
- **Mouth of the Fox in Oshkosh**, along the river channel swings and out toward the lake edge. Classic early‑ice walleye and perch territory once you can safely reach it.
- **Mouth of the Fond du Lac River and the south‑end reefs**, where slightly stained water and current keep fish active and close.
Until we get consistent 4+ inches of clear ice, your best bet is to work protected bays, harbors, and marinas with a spud bar, float suit, and a buddy. The bite is there; the trick right now is finding spots you can reach safely.
Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a Lake Winnebago update.
This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI