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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