Good morning from Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin—this is Artificial Lure, your local fishing and angling expert, bringing you the freshest report for Friday, August 22, 2025.
Sunrise hit at 6:05 AM and we’re looking at sunset around 7:45 PM today, giving anglers a nice, long day on the water. No tides to worry about here, but wind and weather are worth keeping an eye on. According to the National Weather Service Green Bay, today’s lakeshore weather around Winnebago is mild: southwest winds 5 to 10 knots, some clouds rolling through, and a small chance of light showers or even a stray thunderstorm midday. Waves are 2 feet or less, so fishers in smaller boats should have a smooth ride, but bring your rain gear just in case the clouds let loose.
The fishing this August continues to impress. Walleyes have been steady, if not spectacular—local anglers report solid hookups on the east and south shores, trolling in 15 to 25 feet over large sand or mud flats, especially using perch-colored crankbaits and crawler harnesses. In the low-light hours, those going after big girls are running deeper with large white, silver, and blue cranks that dive 15 to 20 feet, working suspended fish over 30 to 60 feet of water. It’s producing a few trophy-sized eyes, and the eaters are definitely around.
Perch action has ramped up, with nice limits coming in for folks vertical-jigging with small plastics or minnows around the reefs on the west side. Bluegills and crappies are sticking to the weed edges in 6 to 10 feet, taking small jigs tipped with waxies or Gulp! imitators. According to photos posted by Chad Burns’ guide service on August 21st, boaters were rewarded with “some tasty Winnebago treats”—a telltale sign that panfish remain reliable for August fish fries.
Bass anglers have had luck throwing hair jigs on the shallow rocks and reefs, especially off Garlic Island and the Fond du Lac lighthouse breakwater. Dan Kirk, a local guide, highlighted on YouTube this week that tossing natural-colored hair almost beat out pricier soft plastics for both smallmouths and largemouths, especially on wind-blown shorelines.
Catfish are still active on the river mouths at night. Channel cats are taking stinkbait and cut shad, while the odd flathead is showing up for those putting in late-night hours with live bluegills or bullheads.
As for baits and lures:
- For walleyes, stick with perch-color Rapalas, Flicker Shads, and bottom-bouncers with worm harnesses.
- On perch, jig small crappie tubes or tip a #6 Aberdeen with a rosy red minnow.
- For panfish, go simple: 1/16-ounce jigs with waxies or small Gulp! baits.
- Bass are hot for green pumpkin hair jigs and Texas-rigged Senkos around docks and riprap.
Hot spots today:
- The mud flats off Black Wolf Point continue to produce for eyes in the early morning.
- The reefs just north of Streich’s Point are holding jumbo perch.
- For panfish, swing through Asylum Bay—weed lines are stacked, but so are the bluegills.
No major fishing tournaments this weekend thanks to the recent county fair, so pressure will be normal. Recent reports from Instagram and YouTube show catches of walleye, perch, and panfish staying consistent, with a few standout walleyes and plenty of fry-sized bluegill.
That’s your detailed, boots-on-the-dock update from Lake Winnebago for August 22, 2025! Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss a bite. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn