Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin Fishing Report Today

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Winnebago fishing report for November 10, 2025. Folks woke up to a chilly start today—just after a light wintry blast Sunday morning across parts of southern Wisconsin, with almost two inches of snow reported near Rockford. Wind’s out of the northwest, and temps are hanging in the upper 20s to low 30s early, maybe hitting the high 30s by the afternoon. Bundle up, because it’s brisk on the docks and boats.

Sunrise came at 6:43 AM, sunset will be at 4:36 PM, giving us short days and long shadows on the water. No tidal changes here, but you’ll want to target those peak solunar windows early and late—especially as these cold snaps seem to kick up fish activity right at sunrise and sunset.

The weather’s been unsettled, and the National Weather Service out of Green Bay mentioned a risk of strong thunderstorm activity Sunday afternoon. Today, it looks stable but cold, so be careful—skim ice could surprise you near the launches or shallow bays.

Now, let’s talk fishing. The bite this week has stayed decent in spite of the colder weather. Outdoor News reported some yellow perch action has picked up across Wisconsin, and anglers are switching gears from hunting back to chasing those fall fish. Locally, the word is that walleye and perch are both cooperative right now. Jigging with fathead minnows or small shiners is doing the trick—if you’re after perch, try drifting live bait along the east shore and working the deeper holes north of Oshkosh.

Muskies are mostly done for the season, but you’ll get some chance near the mouths, especially trolling slow with big hard plastics. In the evenings, slow-rolled crankbaits near the De Pere Dam have also pulled a couple of nice fish. Folks targeting walleye and sauger have landed fish up to 23 inches this week—most coming on chartreuse and blue jigs tipped with minnows, especially when worked off rock piles or near creek mouths.

For bass, you’ll find some smallmouth stacked up around riprap points and rocky humps. Ned rigs and tube jigs, worked super slow, have drawn strikes. Largemouth are sluggish, but if you insist, toss a suspending jerkbait or finesse worm into isolated green weeds—the bite is light, but rewards are out there.

If you’re looking for the best lures and baits:

- For walleye—**Chartreuse, blue, or fire tiger jigs** tipped with fatheads or shiners.

- For perch—Smaller gold or silver spoons, or plain Aberdeen hooks with live minnows.

- For bass—Green pumpkin tube jigs and natural-color Ned rigs.

- For muskie—Big jointed crankbaits, or trolling slow with deep-diving plastic plugs in perch patterns.

Two hot spots that keep producing:

- The mouth of the Fox River near Oshkosh, particularly for walleye and sauger at dusk.

- The west shore reefs north of Fond du Lac for jumbo perch—especially in deeper channels off Garlic Island.

Water conditions have remained clear, but after Sunday’s snow and cold, expect some murk and debris floating in the shallows. Dress warm

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Artificial Lure here with your Sunday, November 9th, 2025 Lake Winnebago fishing report—bundle up, folks, it's a classic late fall bite!

Weather’s definitely turned a corner for Winnebago country. After last night’s cold, Stockbridge started the morning at just 31°F with light northerly winds, and word from the National Weather Service says we’re in for partly sunny skies, northeast winds 15–20 knots today, and afternoon waves calming down to 3–4 feet. Expect wind chills to dip into the teens by sundown, following what weather.gov out of Green Bay calls the coldest air of the season. Sunrise was 6:38 a.m. and sunset 4:36 p.m., so daylight’s getting short—don’t snooze on that morning bite!

Fishing action on Big Winnebago is steady, but expect to work for your fish. The water’s getting colder by the day, making the fish more predictable but also tighter-lipped until those bite windows open. As reported in the November 8th, 2025 Lake Winnebago angler roundup, smallmouth bass, walleye, and jumbo perch are where the focus is right now. Perch have shown up in better numbers compared to last week, and the walleye are starting to pile up tight to structure as they fatten up for winter.

The best bite windows today, based on Lake Winnebago’s major activity forecast from FishingReminder, are late morning (around 9–11 a.m.) and right before sunset, so plan to hit those key times, especially as the moon phase transitions.

For perch, target the reefs and mud flats—Wendt’s Point remains a hot spot and reports mention some 11–13" jumbo perch coming off minnows and crappie rigs. Use live fathead minnows or small shiners under slip bobbers, and if you’re jigging, stick to pink or chartreuse ice jigs tipped with waxies.

Walleye anglers are finding action trolling the deeper edges off Garlic Island and the west shore points with slow-death rigs and small crankbaits in fire tiger or purple. Slow it down—1.0 to 1.3 mph is the ticket with these cold-water fish. If you’re vertical jigging, a ⅛-oz jighead tipped with a minnow is classic and still catches fish this time of year.

Smallmouth are a bit more finicky, but you’ll find them hugging rocky points and the bridge pilings up by Doty Island. Ned rigs with TRD baits in green pumpkin have been hot, along with slower presentations like tubes or hair jigs bounced along the bottom. Early bird anglers landed a few 17–19" smallies on finesse baits just before sunup.

No worries about tides on Winnebago—it’s a freshwater lake—but wind has a real effect here. With a northeast wind, fish will often push closer to windblown shorelines, so check out the points off Black Wolf and Fond du Lac if the water isn’t too rough.

Wondering where to go? Two proven hot spots right now:

- Wendt’s Point Reef—Solid perch bite early and late, especially near gravel transitions.

- The mouth of the Fox River—Late fall walleyes staging, and a chance for bonus white bass.

Hunting is taking over much of the outdoors scene these days, but t

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Artificial Lure here, with your Lake Winnebago fishing report for Saturday, November 8th, 2025. After a night of crisp temps, the morning is starting off cool and calm, with light winds out of the northwest. No tides on Winnebago—it’s all wind influence here, and today’s forecast calls for a high around 43°F, with partly cloudy skies and a light breeze. Sunrise hit us at 6:45 AM, with sunset expected about 4:40 PM, so we’re dealing with a tight window—make use of every minute.

Water temps have slipped into the low 40s, and the fall bite is hanging on strong, particularly for smallmouth bass and walleye. According to D&S Bait Tackle & Fly Shop’s latest Madison area report, fish are moving deeper but are still pretty aggressive, just a little more finicky about presentation. Local anglers on YouTube and Outdoor News have noted the smallmouth bite “exploded” in recent days, especially along rock bars and transition zones around the west shore; fish are feeding heavy ahead of winter, with live minnows and plastics drawing solid strikes.

Yellow perch numbers are climbing, especially near the Fond du Lac area, and some nice slabs are coming up on small jigs tipped with waxies or fathead minnows. Walleye catches remain steady, with the best bites coming from trolling crankbaits, especially near Oshkosh and around the mouth of the Fox River—hard plastics remain a top choice. The musky crowd is still seeing active fish near the mouth of the river and close to the De Pere Dam, where trolling big crankbaits is producing last-chance giants.

Crappie action is more hit-or-miss, but those putting in the work on brush piles or deeper basin holes are pulling dinner-sized slabs by slow trolling small tube jigs or using slip bobbers with crappie minnows. Gorman Outdoors’ October footage out of Winnebago shows some hefty fish, even as temperatures drop.

For bait and tackle: live bait is king right now. Fathead minnows for perch and crappie, big suckers or chubs for your predators. Artificial options—use deep-diving crankbaits or blade baits for walleye, and paddle-tail swimbaits for smallmouth. For perch and panfish, go with micro-jigs, spoons, or bare hooks with a split shot.

Hot spots:

- West shore rock bars between Oshkosh and Black Wolf—plenty of smallmouth and the walleye bite turns on just before dusk.

- Mouth of the Fox River, especially where the current slows—walleye and musky are both lurking.

- Fond du Lac shoreline, near Lakeside Park—yellow perch and crappie moving in and out of weed beds and channels.

Reminder: Duck and deer hunters are out, so mind the launches and shorelines this week. Also, keep an eye on the wind forecast—any shift south will stir up the shallows and push fish tighter to structure.

That wraps up today’s Lake Winnebago fishing report—thanks for tuning in. Don’t forget to subscribe for more updates and tips from your local water. This has been a Quiet Please production; for more, check out quietplease dot ai.

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Artificial Lure here with your Lake Winnebago fishing report for Friday, November 7th, 2025. The fall bite’s still rolling, and local anglers are finding action on a brisk, classic eastern Wisconsin November morning. Here’s what’s happening on the water today:

Weatherwise, we kicked off with crisp temps in the low 40s and light southwest winds, expected to rise to around 10 mph by late afternoon according to the National Weather Service in Green Bay. Scattered rain showers may drift in by evening, but most of the day looks favorable for anglers to get out and wet some lines. Sunrise hit at 6:41 AM, sunset will come early at 4:39 PM – so plan to maximize those daylight hours[11].

Solunar tables are promising: we’re just off a full moon (good news for aggressive fish), and FishingReminder says today’s major activity windows on Lake Winnebago are midmorning and early evening – right around 9:15 AM and again near 5:20 PM. Predators like walleye and pike should be especially active during these periods[2][4].

Let’s talk fish. Local chatter and the latest Outdoor News report have yellow perch action picking up as waters cool, with decent numbers around the weed edges and deeper mudflats. Look for schools moving shallower during those prime feeding windows. Walleye are feeding aggressively as we close in on winter – focus your efforts near river mouths and dropoffs, where they’re chasing shad and small perch. Don’t rule out muskie either: recent reports mention success trolling hard plastics near river mouths and pitching crankbaits up by Oshkosh and the Fox River[1].

Bass aren’t done either. Smallmouths are bulking up; finesse jigs and Ned rigs work well, especially off rocky points and breaklines – just fish ‘em slow and steady. Crappie and bluegill are still hanging close to structure but are sliding deeper as the water temps drop.

Now, for the hot spots. Millers Bay near Oshkosh is producing solid perch and some bonus walleyes, especially along deeper edges and inside turns. The mouth of the Fox River is a perennial fall walleye magnet, and South Asylum Bay has been a sneaky good choice for a mixed bag, especially if you want to cash in on a late smallmouth bite[4].

As for gear, trolling crankbaits or bladebaits remains the ticket for walleyes and muskies. For perch and bluegill, you can’t go wrong with small minnows or red worms under slip bobbers. Jigging Raps in perch pattern, hair jigs, and the trusty chartreuse or firetiger plastics are killer right now—don’t be afraid to work those baits a bit aggressive: fish want a meal before the real cold sets in. Bass anglers should keep finesse plastics handy, and if you’re trophy hunting, throw a big sucker minnow under a float and hang on.

In sum: November is a transition month – big fish are on the prowl, and those willing to brave a little chill are walking away with brag-worthy catches. Remember to check for any new harvest or slot limits, and with the sun setting so early, mind your navigati

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Artificial Lure here, reporting from Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin on November 6, 2025. Daybreak came at 6:39 AM and sunset will hit at 4:41 PM, so make the most of these short November hours. The weather’s looking steady—morning mid-40s climbing into the mid-50s by afternoon, with mostly cloudy skies and a brisk south wind at 15 to 25 knots kicking up some chop on the lake according to the National Weather Service. A small craft advisory’s in effect, so take it easy if you’re motoring out deep.

Lake Winnebago’s still got its fall mojo. Water temps are dipping into the low 50s, and active fish are sliding deeper, but don’t let that scare you off. Local anglers report solid catches of **walleye**, **white bass**, and some impressive **smallmouth bass**—with muskies still prowling up the Fox River and northern pike cruising weed edges. Walleye numbers are decent near Oshkosh, especially in 8-14 feet along gravel bars.

Bass fishing’s great: smallmouth are stacking up offshore structure around reefs and humps—veterans swear by dragging a 3½-inch tube or working a Ned rig right through the rocks. For largemouth, hit the shallow backwaters off the western shore and in Lake Butte des Morts; power fishing a white or chartreuse swim jig through sparse pads and timber brings consistent bites.

White bass are schooling mid-lake and off river mouths. Cast blade baits or three-inch white twister tails for non-stop action. Locals in the Town of Algoma are punching live bait rigs—fathead minnows and nightcrawlers—along the Fox River for a mixed bag, mostly eater-size walleyes and sauger.

November’s a transition month, and with spawning over, fish are feeding up ahead of winter. Major activity spikes around 12:00-2:00 PM and again 6:00-7:00 AM, based on the solunar tables—so plan to fish hard during those windows.

Bait and lure recommendations:

- For walleye: Fire-tiger jig tipped with half a nightcrawler or plastic paddletails; trolling Flicker Shads or Smithwick Rogues in purple or perch.

- Smallmouth bass: Goby-pattern tubes, green pumpkin Ned rigs.

- Largemouth: Chartreuse swim jigs or wacky-rigged stickbaits near visible cover.

- White bass: Silver blade baits and white curly-tailed grubs.

Two hot spots worth a shot:

- The reefs between Oshkosh and Fond du Lac: Target gravel and rock piles in 10–18 feet for walleye and smallmouth.

- Lake Butte des Morts—especially the west shoreline public landing in Algoma. This area’s producing mixed bags: bass, walleye, and the odd catfish. Early and late in the day are best.

No tides on Winnebago, but wind-driven currents mean you’ll want to fish the windward shorelines for active feeders.

If you’re lucky enough to land a musky this time of year, send in your photos—there’s been chatter about some real brutes coming out of the Fox River and into Winnebago’s north end.

Thanks for tuning in—and if you enjoyed today’s report, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an update. This has been a quiet please production

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Good morning folks, Artificial Lure here with the Lake Winnebago region fishing report for November 5th, 2025. We’re rolling into that true late-fall bite across the Bago system, and despite the cooler air and falling leaves, there’s still solid action to be had for those willing to bundle up and stick it out.

Let’s talk weather first—overnight lows put a definite crisp on your fingertips, and we’re seeing high temps topping out in the upper 40s to low 50s. According to the National Weather Service, today brings partly sunny skies with east winds shifting to northeast at 15 to 20 knots, gusting up to 25 knots here and there. Waves on nearby Lake Michigan are hefty, but Winnebago itself is more sheltered; expect minor chop, nothing unmanageable for most local boats. There’s no hazardous weather in the immediate outlook from the Green Bay office, so you can fish with peace of mind. Sunrise hit at 6:40 AM, and sunset is coming quick at 4:38 PM—plan for brief but active windows early and late in the day.

Lake Winnebago’s water temps are dropping into the upper 40s to just about 50, prime for November, and we’re well into turnover—weed edges collapsing, clarity improving, and fish shifting to those traditional late-season holds. The walleye bite has transitioned deep and tight: locals are reporting most action from 15–25 feet, with the sharpest drops on the outside weed edges or gravel points producing the best. The fathead minnow and small sucker bite on 1/4 to 3/8 oz jigs is king right now, especially under slip-bobbers at those breaks. Cloud cover narrows your bite window, so get out early morning or just before dusk for your best shot.

Perch remain a strong bet, especially focused around soft-bottom transitions near deep water—think off the old reefs or in the mud just outside the river mouths. Crappies have gone deeper as well, suspending mid-basin or just above brushpiles in 14-20 feet, where a small jig tipped with plastics or waxworms is putting healthy limits in the boat.

As for predator hunters, northern pike are still moving in the remaining green weeds of the back bays, and musky anglers trolling big cranks or working rubber along the famed Winnebago drop-offs continued to stick a few nice fish last week. Now’s prime time for giant fall muskies before things freeze up, so don’t stow your heavy rods yet.

Bass fishing is really trailing off, but for diehards, smallmouth are hugging rock and gravel transitions around Oshkosh and north toward Menasha; finesse presentations like tubes or drop-shot worms, or just a classic nightcrawler, will tempt any still on feed.

Hot spots worth a mention this week: the County Y Reef remains a fall walleye staple, especially in low light, and the mouth of the Fox River is producing a mixed bag of walleyes, perch, and the odd bonus white bass. Further west, Garlic Island and the Butte des Morts outlet are seeing steady pike and occasional late-swing crappies. Don’t overlook the areas around the new Lake

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Artificial Lure here with your Tuesday, November 4th fishing report for Lake Winnebago and the surrounding Winnebago County waters, coming to you live right at sunrise. The air this morning is brisk—Stockbridge was reporting a clear sky and just 51°F yesterday evening, with an apparent temp closer to freezing thanks to a light WNW wind. Today’s forecast calls for mostly clear skies and variable winds around 4–10 mph, so dress in layers and expect crisp conditions along the water. Water temps are solidly in the low 50s, turnover’s wrapped or nearly so in most spots, setting up that late-fall bite perfectly.

Sunrise is right at 6:38 AM, sunset at 4:41 PM, so your best daylight hours are tight. First Quarter moon gives us a decent solunar window, and according to FishingReminder the major bite times today are 5:13–7:13 AM and again 5:29–7:29 PM, so if you’re looking to maximize your haul, fish early and late when those low-light periods overlap with bite activity.

Fish activity’s been strong in the last week—you can see perch and walleye active just about everywhere there’s structure or depth, and those fall-cruising smallmouths are still snapping up fast presentations along riprap and rocky points. Bowfishing reports are quieter, but crappie and bluegill are still coming in steady numbers in the bays, especially Millers Bay and both North and South Asylum Bays near Oshkosh. If you’re targeting panfish, those deeper holes and weed edges are holding good numbers—small jigs tipped with waxworms or plastics in chartreuse, orange, or gold have been hot.

A steady stream of recent walleye catches is coming from the north shore drop-offs and up around the Neenah Dam. Blade baits in silver or gold, light jigs tipped with fathead minnows, and trolling crankbaits like Flicker Shads or Shad Raps in natural perch or firetiger patterns are the top producers. The bite’s best on a slow retrieve. For perch, anchor up and use small live minnows or bits of nightcrawler on slip bobber rigs—focus on rock piles along Long Point and Cowling Bay for thicker schools.

One update from the DNR: invasive round goby have been confirmed near the Oshkosh Bowen Street Fishing Pier. They’re aggressive, so keep an eye on your bait as they love to steal eggs and compete for prey with native species. The DNR reminds anglers never to use round gobies as bait and to properly dispose of unwanted bait—prevention is key in keeping Winnebago’s fishery thriving.

Today’s top lures and bait:

- For walleye: **Blade baits, 1/4 oz jigs with fathead minnows, or shallow-running crankbaits in perch or gold.**

- For perch and panfish:** Small slip bobbers with live minnow or chartreuse jigs tipped with waxworm.**

- For bass:** Soft plastics like tube jigs in green pumpkin or black, and slow-rolled spinnerbaits.**

If chasing a mixed bag, stick to shoreline structure early, then drift deeper channels later in the morning.

Hot spots today:

- **Millers Bay**—great for perch, bluegill, walleye in 12

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Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure with your on-the-water fishing report for Lake Winnebago and the surrounding basin, coming to you on Monday, November 3rd, 2025.

We’re kicking off today under clear, sunny skies with a brisk west wind—gusts topping 25 knots this morning according to Bayshore Marina’s most recent weather update. Temperatures are starting around 7 to 12°C, rising into the low-to-mid teens by this afternoon before cooling again by sundown. It’s a typical fall pattern for early November around the Fox Valley. Sunrise hit the lake today at 6:38 a.m., with the sun setting about 4:43 p.m. this evening. Tidal swings aren’t a factor on these inland waters, but with winds blowing steady out of the west and northwest, shoreline anglers will want extra weight to stay down and keep those lines tight.

The bite has been classic for this time of year—walleye are the headliners, with recent catches reported consistently on both the main lake and in the connecting rivers. According to a late October trip posted by local anglers on YouTube, a mix of pitching search baits tipped with minnows and vertical jigging was the ticket for big eyes when the wind kicked up. Most action is coming out of 13 to 18 feet of water along reefs off Black Wolf Point and the west shore between Long Point and Asylum Bay. Fish are stacking up just outside the river mouths and along deeper rock humps as they transition to wintering spots.

Anglers are finding good numbers of eater-size walleye—many in the 15 to 20-inch class, with a sprinkle of larger slot fish caught over the past week. Don’t overlook the late-season perch run either; jumbo perch have been picked up just south of Oshkosh, particularly near Garlic Island and the mouth of the Fox. Live bait rigs with minnows or small leeches are producing for both species, but hands down the best success has come from vertical jigging. Gold, orange, and chartreuse have been the hot colors—especially when rigged on a 1/4 ounce jighead and tipped with a lively fathead or a frozen emerald shiner.

Saugers, white bass, and the odd northern pike are also coming to the net, mostly as bycatch for those staying flexible with their presentation. If you’re after crappie, focus on the upper end of the lake and the connecting rivers—look for steep inside turns and deeper flats, and don’t be afraid to try small jigs or plastics suspended under a slip bobber.

For artificial lure action, blade baits and shad-style crankbaits in firetiger or perch patterns are catching those aggressive biters during the windier afternoons. Folks trolling leadcore along the breaklines between Garlic Island and Fisherman’s Road have been rewarded with mixed bags of walleye and white bass.

Two hot spots to have on your radar this week:

- The reefs off Black Wolf Point, especially for the sunset bite.

- Garlic Island flats near the Fox River mouth—solid for both big perch and walleye on a live bait rig.

Remember, November winds call for drift socks,

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This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Winnebago fishing report for Sunday, November 2, 2025. Folks, we’re well into fall here, and Winnebago is showing her moods—she’s cold but still giving up fish if you know where and when to look.

Let’s talk **weather** first. The National Weather Service called in stiff south winds today, with gusts as high as 25 knots on and off through the day, so it’ll be choppy out there. Skies are mostly cloudy and, with air temps holding steady in the low 50s, gloves and a windbreaker aren’t a bad idea. No tidal action here as we’re inland, but water levels may be slightly up with recent rains.

**Sunrise** hit at 6:34 AM, and you’ll see the sun drop below the western rim just before 4:47 PM—these short days mean timing is everything.

The **solunar tables** point to a very fishy afternoon: the best major time hits from about 12:43 to 2:43 PM, and early risers should see minor activity uptick from 6:06 to 7:06 AM. So, plan to be on your spots before lunch or at dawn for the prime action, according to SolunarForecast.

Now for the **catch report**. Area shops and dock talk confirm **walleyes** are the main game right now, and they’ve put on the feed bag before winter. Fish up to 22 inches have been reported around reefs and rocky points, especially Fond du Lac’s south shore and off Garlic Island. **Perch** size is hit and miss, but weed edges near Oshkosh and the Winneconne area are holding some jumbos—bring your measuring tape if you’re targeting them. **White bass** pods are roaming mid-lake, but the bite was spotty this week. A few musky chasers are still trying their luck in the river stretches, but most have shifted over to walleye and perch.

Local guides and the Outdoor News fishing report all say that, with water temps dropping to about 52–53°F, moving baits are slowing down but not totally out. The folks at John's Bait and Tackle mention that **jigging a quarter-ounce firetiger or chartreuse jig tipped with a fathead minnow** is the golden ticket for walleyes right now. In shallower areas and for perch, a small slip bobber rig with a piece of nightcrawler is still money.

This week’s **hot spots**? Start around the **Black Wolf and Garlic Island reefs**—the walleye bite was solid yesterday on jigs and plastics tipped with minnows. For a good chance at perch and some bonus bluegills, drift the emerging green weed beds off the **Oshkosh shoreline**. Don’t forget about the mouth of the **Fox River**, especially early or just before sunset—the current keeps bait moving and fish stacked.

A few reminders, anglers: with that stiff wind, anchor smart and don’t overextend on big water if you’re in a small craft. Ice season is just around the corner, but there’s still time to put a few more fresh fillets in the freezer.

Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure for your Lake Winnebago field report! Don’t forget—subscribe if you want the latest boots-on-the-water updates delivered straight to you.

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Here’s your Lake Winnebago fishing report for Saturday, November 1st, 2025, coming to you from Artificial Lure, your local lines-in-the-water expert.

First light hit the water at 7:31 AM and you’ll have sun till about 5:41 PM, so there’s a solid ten-hour window to chase some fall slabs and ‘eyes. Weather-wise, we’re waking up to classic November chill. Temps are starting out in the upper 30s, climbing just into the low 50s by midafternoon, with a north breeze at 10–15 mph keeping it crisp. Clouds linger through midday before clearing late—dress in layers, and you’ll be thankful after that wind smacks you broadside at Long Point.

Lake Winnebago, being freshwater, doesn’t see the saltwater’s tide swings, but boaters will notice wind-driven current picking up later in the afternoon. That’ll push bait and should kick up fish activity right alongside it.

Now, as far as action goes, the main word drifting around the launch ramps is **walleye**. Just like over on Lake of the Woods, vertical jigging bite is the ticket this week. Most folks are anchoring or slowly drifting near the south shore reefs and point breaks in 8 to 13 feet of water. The top producer has hands-down been a ⅛- to ¼-ounce jig tipped with a *large fathead* or *frozen emerald shiner*. Hot jig colors are chartreuse, gold, and a touch of orange when that sun starts cutting through the clouds—just like Arrowhead Outdoors and a host of locals are reporting for fall bite up north, it’s working right here on Winnebago.

Catch rates have been strong for both legal eater walleye and some bulky saugers, with a fair number of bonus jumbo yellow perch hitting the same presentations. Numbers swing, but several boats yesterday and this morning managed limits by 10, focusing on small pods along the mud-to-rock transitions. For those after perch, side drift a small crappie minnow or chunk of nightcrawler under a slip bobber, 7–10 feet down near patches of wild celery or eelgrass. The weed lines in Miller’s Bay and off Garlic Island are holding nice schools.

If you’d rather chase tail-walking northern pike, the cooling water’s got them pinned up tight to the mouth of the Fox and Oshkosh rivers, staging for the winter cisco run. Drift a large sucker under a bobber or try a flashy jerkbait like the classic silver-blue Rapala Husky Jerk. Don’t be afraid to throw big: some of these toothy critters are running north of thirty inches this week. Throw a steel leader on and hold tight.

Crappie reports, though not as hot as mid-October, are starting to trickle in from anglers working the deeper basin edges around Black Wolf and the entrance to Little Lake Butte des Morts—look for fish suspending 12–16 feet down over 20–24 feet, especially if you mark bait balls. Tiny hair jigs tipped with a spike or Berkley Gulp! minnow on light line will bring them in when fished slow.

For the bass folks, largemouth have pushed off the shallower reeds and are chasing shad schools on the first break. Work a 3-inch swimba

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