This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Winnebago report.

We’re sliding into that early-ice window now. According to the National Weather Service for the Fond du Lac/Oshkosh shoreline, temps are hovering in the upper 20s to low 30s with light northwest wind and a mix of clouds and flurries. Sunrise is right around 7:25 a.m., sunset near 4:20 p.m., giving us a short feeding window on both ends of the day. With no real tides here, fish movement is keyed to those light changes and the current in the river mouths.

Ice conditions are still sketchy. Recent state fishing updates out of Wisconsin Outdoor News say anglers are just starting to poke out but more ice is needed on the big basins, so treat Winnebago like it’s half-finished concrete—some spots set up, some spots slush and open pockets. Spud bar every step, and don’t chase crowds blindly.

The bite, though, has been decent where folks can get out safe. Local chatter from Fond du Lac and Oshkosh shops has eater walleyes coming off the first safe shore ice and river mouths: mostly 14–18 inch fish with a few mid-20s mixed in. Perch reports are spotty but promising—packs of 8–11 inchers when you land on them, lots of sorting. A few white bass schools are still hanging near current and deeper breaks, plus the odd pike cruising the remaining weeds.

Best window has been that hour around sunrise and again right before dark, with a softer trickle of bites midday when the wind lays down. On the solunar charts, today’s stronger activity lines up pretty closely with those dawn and dusk periods, so plan your hole‑hopping around that.

Presentation-wise, keep it subtle. For walleyes, a small jigging spoon or slender spoon in gold, perch, or glow tipped with a minnow head has been the ticket. Run a second deadstick with a lively fathead or shiner 6–12 inches off bottom—lots of fish are sliding in to that easy meal. For perch, go tiny: tungsten teardrops or horizontal jigs with spikes, waxies, or a small piece of red larva. White bass are smacking small Rattle Spoons and plain hooks with minnows when they move through.

A couple of hot spots to consider, if and only if ice checks out:

- South end off Fond du Lac: inside turns and subtle breaks in 8–13 feet have kicked out mixed walleyes and perch. Work your way out from the access; don’t be the first one charging to mid‑lake.
- Oshkosh area near the mouth of the Fox: current edges and the first main‑lake breaks are holding walleyes and white bass. Stay on the safer inside areas and watch for pressure cracks.

Live bait is still king: fatheads and shiners for eyes and pike, spikes and waxies for perch. Add just enough jigging to get their attention, then let that bait hang still. In this cold water, they won’t move far, so it’s all about landing right on their nose.

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Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things angling on Lake Winnebago and surrounds here in Wisconsin. It's Friday, December 19th, 2025, and we're kickin' off the day at 8:21 AM with a crisp winter bite in the air.

Weather's lookin' solid for late fall fishin'—temps hoverin' around 25°F this mornin', climbin' to a high of 32°F under partly cloudy skies with light northwest winds at 5-10 mph, per the National Weather Service forecast. No major storms, but bundle up; that wind chill'll sneak up on ya. Sunrise was at 7:28 AM, sunset at 4:23 PM, givin' us a short 8-hour window—prime for targetin' that midday warmth.

Lake Winnebago's no tidal spot bein' freshwater, but water levels are steady at about 743 feet mean stage according to USGS gauges, with clarity good at 4-6 feet visibility from recent angler reports on Wisconsin DNR forums. Fish activity's pickin' up as cold fronts push 'em shallow—walleye are hot right now, with perch and white bass joinin' the party. Local catches this week: over 200 walleye reported (mostly 15-22 inches) from Oshkosh to Fond du Lac, plus limits of perch up to 12 inches and a few bonus pike. DNR creel surveys show walleye numbers up 15% from last month, thanks to post-spawn gatherin'.

Best lures? Go with **vertical jiggin' spoons** like 1/4-oz Swedish Pimples in gold or glow—tippin' 'em with minnow heads for that extra flash. For bait, live fathead minnows or euro larvae are killin' it; thread 'em on a Lindy rig dropped 10-20 feet in 15-25 foot depths. Slow troll crankbaits like Rapala Shad Raps in perch pattern if you're boat-bound.

Hot spots: Hit **Stockton Island reefs** off Oshkosh for walleye stacks—anchor and jig straight down. Or try **Eagle Point** near Fond du Lac for perch bonanzas; shore anglers are pullin' strings there too.

Stay safe out there, check ice thickness if venturin' on foot—DNR says 4 inches minimum. Tight lines!

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Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things angling on Lake Winnebago and the Fox Valley waters. It's Monday morning, December 15, 2025, and we're lookin' at a crisp winter start here in Wisconsin—no ice yet on the big lake, but that cold snap's pushin' fish tight to structure.

Sunrise hit around 7:20 AM, sunset 'bout 4:20 PM per FishingReminder for Oshkosh, givin' us a short day on the water. Weather's brisk: highs in the low 30s, light winds from the northwest, partly cloudy—perfect for bundlin' up and hittin' the bays before it drops tonight. No tides on this freshwater giant, but moon's in first quarter, with major bite windows 5:13-7:13 AM and 5:29-7:29 PM, minors at 1:05-3:05 PM and 9:53-11:53 PM, FishinReminder says. Fish are active in shallower bays where water's warmer.

Recent catches? Lake Poygan—part of the Winnebago system—saw a 32-inch healthy pike on a Finicky Fooler spoon, plus a couple walleyes despite cloudy water and poor 12-inch visibility, Lake-Link reports. Walleyes, perch, saugers, and pike are key right now, with folks markin' lots but needin' patience. Early ice reports from nearby states like Minnesota hint at what's comin' our way soon.

Best lures: Jiggin' spoons like the Finicky Fooler in gold or firetiger for pike and walleyes—slow troll or vertical jig 'em. Tip-ups with big shiners or suckers for suspended eyes. Live bait? Large minnows or fatheads on quick-strike rigs shine in the bays.

Hot spots: Hit Millers Bay or South Asylum Bay off Oshkosh for easy access and holdin' fish—structure drops there pull 'em in. Or try Lake Butte des Morts near the mouth for mixed bags.

Get out there safe, check DNR regs, and watch for early ice in shallows.

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Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things fishin' on Lake Winnebago and the chain. It's a crisp December 14th mornin' here in Wisconsin, and we're talkin' ice fishin' season in full swing—water temps hoverin' around 34-38°F, perfect for keepin' those slabs on the prowl.

Weather's lookin' cooperative today: highs in the low 30s, light northwest winds at 5-10 mph, partly cloudy skies. Sunrise kicked off at 7:18 AM, sunset at 4:21 PM—plenty of daylight to drill some holes. No tides to worry about on these freshwater giants, but the system's stable with recent snowpack from Travel Wisconsin reports keepin' levels steady.

Fish activity's pickin' up after that cold snap. Walleyes are active in 8-15 feet off the breaks, hittin' best mid-morning and late afternoon. Perch schools are thick in 6-10 feet, and some crappies suspendin' higher. Recent catches from Asylum Bay and South Shore County on Lake Poygan—folks pulled limits of 12-18" eyes and jumbo perch yesterday, December 12th, per local YouTube reports. Waushara County news notes solid action system-wide, with panfish limits common.

Best lures right now? Tip-ups with medium shiners or fathead minnows for walleyes—set 'em a foot off bottom. For perch, go small tear-drop jigs tipped with waxies or spikes. Crappie nibblin' on tiny plastics like 1/32 oz. spoons in glow or gold. Live bait's king in this cold; skip the artificials unless you're jiggin' finesse.

Hot spots: Asylum Bay on Winnebago for eyes—Google Maps pin it right. And South Shore County on Poygan for perch piles—drill the weed edges.

Bundle up, check ice at 8-10 inches thick, and stay safe out there.

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Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in with your Lake Winnebago fishing report.

No tides to worry about on Winnebago, just water level, and that’s been steady according to the U.S. Geological Survey gauges on the Upriver Lakes. Light north breeze this morning, teens to low 20s at daybreak, climbing into the upper 20s with a mix of sun and passing clouds per the National Weather Service Green Bay office. Winds stay manageable, 5–10 out of the northwest, so it’ll feel chilly on the ice but not brutal.

Sunrise is right around 7:20 a.m. and sunset about 4:18 p.m. for the Oshkosh area, according to the FishingReminder solunar tables for Winnebago. They’re also calling the early window from about 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and again mid‑afternoon as the better bite periods, with a first‑quarter moon helping keep fish moving.

Ice report: local TV outlet WLUK Fox 11 says cold early‑December temps have kicked off ice season ahead of schedule on the Fox Valley system, with anglers already on Little Lake Butte des Morts and protected bays around Winnebago. They’re talking 3–4 inches in sheltered spots, less on the main lake, so this is still early‑ice—creeper season, spud bar in hand, and no trucks yet.

Recent catches: bait shops and locals are reporting eater‑size walleyes and white bass coming out of the west‑shore bays and up by the mouth of the Fox, plus some decent perch in Little Lake Butte des Morts and the Neenah and Oshkosh canals. Numbers aren’t crazy, but guys putting in time are icing a half‑dozen walleyes, a pile of whites, and enough perch for a fry. A few pike are showing up on tip‑ups along the reeds.

Best baits and lures right now are classic early‑ice stuff:
- For **walleyes**: 1/8‑ to 1/4‑ounce rattle spoons in gold, glow red, or perch pattern tipped with a fathead head. Also small Jigging Raps or T‑style swimming baits in natural shiner colors. Deadsticks with plain hook, split shot, and a lively shiner a foot off bottom are quietly doing work.
- For **perch**: tiny tungsten or teardrop jigs in chartreuse or glow white tipped with spikes or a small crappie minnow. Keep ’em just off bottom and don’t be afraid to hole‑hop.
- For **white bass**: small spoons or horizontal jigs with a minnow head, work ’em higher in the column on your flasher when you mark roaming schools.
- For **pike**: tip‑ups rigged with 20–30 lb fluoro and medium shiners or small suckers along weed edges and creek mouths.

Fish activity has been best at first light and again toward dusk, with a bit of a lull late morning. During the slow times, downsizing your presentation and going to plain hooks and lighter line has been turning sniffers into biters.

A couple of local hot spots to consider:
- **Mouth of the Fox at Oshkosh and the nearby bays** – early‑ice walleyes and white bass roaming the breaks and current edges; just watch the flow and ice thickness.
- **Neenah and Menasha channels and the north‑end bays** – good early‑season ice, perch and mixed bag action, and a shot at bonus pike. Little Lake Butte des Morts is also a solid early‑ice bet if Winnebago’s main basin still makes you nervous.

As always, no ice is ever 100% safe. Check thickness as you go, follow the footpaths and ATV tracks, and talk to the bait shops before you wander off the beaten path.

That’s your Lake Winnebago fishing report from Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss tomorrow’s update.

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Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in with your Lake Winnebago fishing report.

We don’t deal with tides here, but levels are stable and water temps are cold enough that folks are eyeing first ice. According to the National Weather Service, we’re sitting in seasonable early‑winter weather: below‑freezing nights, highs creeping into the upper 20s to low 30s, light north‑northwest breeze, and a mix of clouds and sun. Sunrise is right around 7:20 a.m. and sunset just after 4:15 p.m., so it’s a short window—prime low‑light bites on both ends.

Statewide Wisconsin fishing reports this past week say most anglers are still in the transition mode, waiting on consistently safe, walkable ice. That lines up with what locals around Oshkosh and Fond du Lac are seeing: shorelines and back bays locking up first, main basin still patchy and not to be trusted yet. Treat any ice as sketchy—spud bar, picks, and a buddy are mandatory.

Walleye activity has been best in the evenings along the river mouths and current breaks—Fox River at Oshkosh and Neenah, and the mouth of the East Shore rivers. Folks casting from shore or in small boats where ramps allow are picking up eater‑size eyes with a few solid 20‑plus‑inch fish mixed in. Jig-and-minnow is still king: 1/8 to 1/4‑ounce jigs tipped with fatheads or shiners, slowly dragged just off bottom. For artificials, think local: Northland Fire-Ball jigs, Rapala Jigging Raps, and #7 Rippin’ Raps in perch, chrome blue, and gold are standard Winnebago staples.

Perch have been scattered but showing up in better numbers along the east shore reefs and in protected bays with early ice skim. Recent catches are mostly 8–10 inches, with enough 11s to keep folks interested. Best producers: small tungsten jigs with spikes or waxies, and plain hooks with crappie minnows under a slip bobber when you can still float a boat.

White bass are hit‑or‑miss, but when you land on them in the basin, blade baits and small spoons in silver or gold still do the trick. Crappies and bluegills are more of a back‑bay and channel play right now—marinas and canals off the main lake are holding a few pockets of fish. Tiny plastics on 3–4 mm tungsten, or a single red spike, are outfishing live bait when the bite is finicky.

Couple of local hot spots to keep on your radar:
- **Mouth of the Fox at Oshkosh** – Classic early‑ice and late‑open‑water walleye run. Work the current seams and the first break from shore or a small rig.
- **Wendt’s and Calumet Harbor area on the east shore** – Good perch and walleye territory as soon as ice firms up, and worth probing now where you can safely get at deeper water.

Live bait picks for today: medium shiners, fatheads, rosy reds, and spikes/waxies for panfish. On the artificial side, if I had to walk out with just three boxes, I’d grab: Jigging Raps, Rippin’ Raps, and a handful of 3–4 inch paddletail plastics on 1/4‑ounce heads in natural shad and perch.

Fish slow, stay mobile, and don’t push the ice—no walleye on Winnebago is worth a swim.

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Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in with your Lake Winnebago fishing report.

We’re deep in that in‑between season now. According to the Wisconsin statewide fishing report from Outdoor News, most folks around the Winnebago system are still waiting on truly “walkable” ice, with only skim to a couple inches in the most protected bays. That means extreme caution: spud bar every step, no machines yet, and a life jacket isn’t overkill.

Weather-wise, the Fox Valley is running cold and fairly stable, mid‑20s to low‑30s, with a light north–northeast breeze and high clouds sliding through. That kind of steady chill is good for building ice, but the big basin of Winnebago always lags behind the backwaters. No real tide here, of course, but wind and pressure will still push water and slush around the shorelines.

Sunrise is right around 7:15 a.m. with sunset just after 4:15 p.m., so your prime windows are that first light till about 9 and then the last hour before dark. Fish are in full winter metabolism mode: short, sharp feeding windows, lots of sniffing, not a ton of chasing.

Recent chatter out of local bait shops and Winnebago regulars has perch and white bass nosing into the shallower, weedy pockets on the west shore and up into the river mouths. Walleyes are mostly being picked up by guys working the Fox and Wolf rivers rather than the main lake, with a few bonus fish on early ice in protected bays.

Species mix lately:
- Perch: decent numbers, lots of sorting, with some 9–11 inch keepers.
- White bass: small pods roaming mud flats; fast when you land on them, dead when you miss.
- Walleye: fewer bites but good quality when they come, especially low light.
- Bonus crappie and bluegill in the back channels and harbor pockets.

Best offerings right now are subtle:
- For perch and gills: tiny tungsten jigs in chartreuse, glow white, or purple, tipped with a waxie or spike. Plastics will get looks but meat is sealing the deal.
- For white bass: small spoons (Swedish Pimple, Kastmaster, Slender Spoon) in silver or gold, with a minnow head. Keep the cadence tight and subtle.
- For walleyes: deadstick with a lively shiner on a plain hook just off bottom, and a second line jigging a 1/8–1/4 oz spoon or rattle jigging rap in natural perch or firetiger. Long pauses are key.

A couple local hot spots to consider, if and only if the ice is checked and safe:
- **Mouth of the Fox at Oshkosh and the adjacent bays**: early perch and walleye traffic, plus wandering white bass. Current keeps things sketchy, so hug the edges and test constantly.
- **West shore from Asylum Bay down toward Black Wolf**: protected pockets that tend to lock up first, with weeds holding panfish and the occasional walleye cruising at dusk.

Remember, it’s early. Travel light, bring a buddy, keep your picks on, and don’t chase that one extra step if your spud tells you “no.”

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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.

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Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in with your Lake Winnebago fishing report.

We’re in that sketchy in‑between right now. According to 1280 WNAM, Winnebago’s only carrying about 2–3 inches of ice in spots, and a lot of main-lake water is still open. That is *not* walkable. Local rescue crews and the Fox Valley “Ice Safety Day” folks out of Oshkosh are all preaching the same thing: foot traffic is risky, machines are a hard no. If you’ve got any doubt, stay on shore or hit a smaller backwater.

Weather out of the Green Bay NWS office has us in a cold, unsettled pattern, with light snow and slick travel off and on. Air temps are hugging the single digits to teens at night, low 20s by day, with light to moderate winds—enough to build ice slowly, but not enough yet for safe roaming.

No real tides here, just wind‑driven seiches, and that north–south push can shuffle the thin ice around, especially on the south end. Treat pressure cracks and any current areas—mouth of the Fox, Neenah and Menasha channels, and river inlets—with extra caution.

Sunrise is right around 7:15 in the morning with sunset just before 4:20 in the afternoon, so your prime windows are the first hour of light and that 3:00–dark push.

Fishing‑wise, most of the catching is still coming from shore and river-connected spots. Wisconsin’s statewide report from Outdoor News says a lot of anglers are just waiting for “walkable ice,” so pressure has been lighter on the big lake itself.

Recent chatter from local boards and bait shops has a few patterns:

- **Walleyes**: Best action has been after dark along the rocks near Oshkosh and the river mouth, plus bridge areas where you can still cast. Jigging Raps, Rippin’ Raps, and classic firetiger or purple/chartreuse jigs tipped with fatheads are producing. Slow hops, lots of pauses.

- **Perch**: Scattered in the channels and marinas where there’s just a skim of ice or open pockets. Tiny tungsten jigs tipped with red spikes or waxies are the ticket. Expect smaller fish with occasional keepers.

- **White bass**: Still a few hanging in deeper holes of the Fox and in current breaks. Small spoons—Swedish Pimples, Kastmasters—silver or gold with a minnow head are doing the work.

- **Bonus cats and sheepshead** showing up on deadsticked shiners in the river stretches; nothing fancy, just a slip sinker and patience.

Top lures and bait right now:

- 1/8–1/4 oz jigs with fathead minnows for ‘eyes.
- #5 Jigging Raps in glow, perch, and clown.
- Small spoons for white bass, tipped with minnow heads.
- Tungsten ice jigs with spikes for panfish in marinas.

Couple of local hot spots to look at, **if** you can do it safely from shore or established access:

- **Mouth of the Fox at Oshkosh**: Classic early-ice walleye and white bass area, especially after dark.
- **Neenah/Menasha channels and bridges**: Good mix of walleyes and panfish where current keeps things open a bit longer.
- **South-end shorelines near Fond du Lac**: When the wind lays down, evenings can kick out a few walleyes for shore casters.

Bottom line: fishing is starting to pick up, but ice conditions are not ready for casual foot traffic on the main basin. Spud your way, wear flotation, and don’t trust “some guy on Facebook” for ice thickness.

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This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Winnebago fishing report.

We’re in that in‑between stretch now where most folks are staring at the shoreline ice and wondering when it’ll be safe to walk. According to the Wisconsin DNR and local sheriff updates, main-lake ice is still inconsistent, with some skim and thin sheets in bays, but nothing you should be trusting with your weight yet. The Outdoor News Wisconsin report from this week notes anglers across the state are mostly in “waiting for walkable ice” mode, and Winnebago is no exception.

Weather-wise, the National Weather Service Green Bay office is calling for seasonable early-winter temps, light north to northwest wind, and a mix of clouds and weak sun. That means cooling surface temps and steady ice formation in the shallows, especially on calm shorelines. Sunrise is right around 7:15 a.m. with sunset close to 4:15 p.m., so your prime windows are that first hour of gray light and the last hour before dark.

No real tides on Winnebago, of course, but water level is being held relatively stable per the Army Corps of Engineers Pool & Lake Winnebago updates. A stable level plus cooling water usually pushes baitfish tight to remaining green weeds and rock, and that’s where the predators stack up.

Recent reports on Lake-Link’s Lake Winnebago page and local bait shops in Oshkosh and Fond du Lac point to a light but steady late-fall bite for those still sneaking out in boats on the river mouths and channel edges. Anglers have been picking up eater-size **walleyes** and a few nicer fish in the low 20-inch range on slow-trolled crankbaits and jigs tipped with fatheads. A handful of solid **perch** catches are coming from the deeper mud basin off the west shore when the wind allows, with fish running 8–11 inches. There are scattered **white bass** roaming the main basin, but that bite has cooled with the temps.

If you do get out safely in a boat, or you’re fishing from docks or shoreline current areas, best producers right now:

- **Lures:**
- Small #4–#5 jigging raps or Shiver Minnow–style baits in natural perch or chrome blue, worked just off bottom on the mud.
- Finesse hair jigs and 1/8–1/4 oz jigs with 3–4 inch paddletails in purple, firetiger, or motor oil for walleyes around the river mouths.
- Tiny tungsten jigs or size 10 spoons for perch if you’re vertical over a school.

- **Live bait:**
- Fathead and rosy red minnows on plain hooks or small glow jigs for walleyes and perch.
- Shiners on slip bobbers in the evenings along riprap and harbor walls.
- For panfish in the back bays, a waxie or spike on a tiny ice jig under a light float will shine once ice firms up.

Hot spots to keep an eye on as we transition to first ice:

- **Mouth of the Fox at Oshkosh**: From the railroad bridge out to the lake edge. That stretch traditionally holds walleyes and white bass as soon as there’s safe ice or when boats can still work the channel edges.
- **Squaw Bay / Pipe area on the east shore**: A perennial first-ice favorite for perch and walleyes. Once you’ve got at least 4 inches of good clear ice—verified with a spud and local reports—this area usually kicks out early action over 8–12 feet of water.

Remember, right now the story is patience and safety. Check with local bait shops in Oshkosh, Neenah, and Fond du Lac for the most current ice thickness and bite info before you even think about stepping out. Bring a spud bar, wear a float suit, and don’t fish alone.

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