Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin Fishing Report - Daily

This is Artificial Lure checking in with your Lake Winnebago fishing report for May 11th, 2025. Sunrise came at 5:35 am and sunset will be around 8:10 pm. There's no tidal influence on the lake, so water movement is mostly wind-driven today. Early morning started cool and calm, but we're warming steadily into the upper 60s by midday, with a light breeze from the west. Water temps are holding in the upper 50s to low 60s.Fishing activity is picking up fast as we move further into spring. Walleyes have been especially hot lately, with folks reporting strong numbers this past week—most catches coming in 8 to 15 feet of water near reefs and mud flats. Jig and minnow combos and slow-trolled crawler harnesses have been top producers. Many anglers are finding their limits by midday, with typical fish running in the 15 to 20-inch range, but a handful of bigger ones have been caught too[2][3].Bass are coming out of the pre-spawn phase and getting aggressive. Largemouth are showing up in the back bays and along riprap, with swim jigs, spinnerbaits, and shallow-diving crankbaits all getting bit. Smallmouths are cruising reef tops and points—football jigs mimicking craws have fooled a few nice ones up to 18 inches lately[5].Panfish action is steady. Crappies have moved shallow, often found around emerging weeds or docks, hitting small jigs tipped with plastics or minnows. Yellow perch are scattered, but anglers drifting with small worms or pieces of crawler are picking up good numbers, especially out of the north end[5].Some hot spots to try include the reefs off Oshkosh for walleyes and the bays around Stockbridge Harbor for bass and panfish. The gravel bars east of Garlic Island are also kicking out mixed bags if you’re willing to move around and search them with your electronics.Best lures right now include jig and minnow combinations for walleyes, swim jigs and spinnerbaits for largemouth in the shallows, and football jigs for smallmouth on the reefs. For panfish, small hair jigs and tube baits in bright colors are working well, especially when tipped with a bit of live bait[5].That’s the scoop for Lake Winnebago today. Good luck out there and tight lines!

This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Winnebago fishing report for Saturday, May 10, 2025. We’re heading into another prime weekend for anglers in East Central Wisconsin.The weather this morning started in the upper 40s, with temps quickly climbing into the mid-60s by afternoon. Skies are mostly clear and winds are light, so conditions on the lake are excellent for boating and shore fishing. Sunrise was at 5:42 AM and sunset will be at 8:05 PM, so there’s plenty of daylight to work with today. No tides to worry about here on Winnebago, but water temperatures are holding steady in the mid-50s. That’s firing up both the walleyes and bass out there[2][3].The walleye bite has been strong all week, especially early and late in the day. Most folks are catching limits near the mouths of the Fox and Wolf Rivers, with jig and minnow combos or nightcrawlers doing the trick. Trolling crawler harnesses in 8 to 12 feet along the east shore has also been producing nice eaters and a few slot fish. Several anglers have reported some bigger females still lingering out deep before heading back shallower to chase bait[2].Bass fishing, both largemouth and smallmouth, is heating up fast. The best action is in the shallows—look for rocky shorelines and docks with early weed growth, especially in less than six feet of water. Soft plastics like worms and craws are landing a pile of bass, but spinnerbaits and shallow-running crankbaits are also working well if you want to cover a lot of water quickly[2][5]. Try green pumpkin or white for best results, and don’t overlook classic black and blue if the water muddies up after a breeze.As for panfish, bluegill and crappie reports are solid in the protected bays with emerging vegetation. They’re holding shallow and can’t resist a slip bobber with a small leech or worm.Hot spots to try today include the reefs and breaks near Garlic Island for walleye, and the west shore rocks by Oshkosh for bass. Don’t forget Millers Bay in Oshkosh—that’s a consistent spring producer for both panfish and bass.Overall, fishing is excellent right now across Lake Winnebago. Bring plenty of bait, a variety of jigs and plastics, and get out early or stay late for the best bites. Good luck and tight lines!

This is Artificial Lure checking in on Friday, May 9th, 2025, with your up-to-the-minute Lake Winnebago fishing report. We’ve had a good run of stable spring weather lately, which has really lit up the action across Winnebago and the surrounding waters. Today’s sunrise hit at 5:35 AM with sunset expected around 8:08 PM, giving you a nice, long window to get after it.Weather’s been mild, hanging in the mid-50s to low 60s, and the water temps are right in the sweet spot—upper 50s to low 60s—putting most species in a post-spawn pattern. There’s no tidal swing on Winnebago, so focus your planning around light and wind instead.You’ll find walleyes moving shallow, especially at dawn and dusk. Folks working shorelines and shallow rock with jigs tipped with crawlers or leeches have been filling limits. Crankbaits and casting minnowbaits up shallow at night have put some solid fish in the box too, especially along the southwest shore and around the mouth of the Fox River. This week’s been especially good for walleye, with reports of multiple boat limits and fish in the 15 to 22 inch range, plus a few bigger girls mixed in[2][4][5].White bass are schooling up in the river mouths and creek inlets—float a small jig and plastic, or toss blade baits for fast action. Perch and bluegill are biting strong in the shallows. Try slip bobbers and worms or small plastics fished around reeds and rocky transition areas. The perch bite has been especially good near Garlic Island and off Black Wolf Point[3][4].Northern pike and the occasional big musky are prowling the weed edges and river mouths. Spinnerbaits and big soft plastics will get their attention. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are also heating up on rocky points and around the docks, with Ned rigs, tubes, and stickbaits all catching fish[2][5].For lures, you can’t go wrong with 1/8 to 1/4 ounce jigs tipped with crawlers or plastics for walleye and perch. Flicker Shads, Husky Jerks, and jointed Rapalas in natural shiner or perch patterns have been hot. For bass, Ned rigs and green pumpkin tubes are money. Pike are nailing silver and chartreuse spinnerbaits.Hot spots today include the reefs out from Wind Point, the mouth of the Fox River in Oshkosh, and the rocky shallows off Black Wolf Point. The reefs near Garlic Island are lights out for perch and bluegill.That’s the scoop for today—get out there early or stay late to find the hottest bite. Tight lines from Artificial Lure, and remember: on Winnebago, you’re only one cast away from a new personal best[2][3][4][5].

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Winnebago fishing report for Wednesday, May 7, 2025.We're experiencing a beautiful early May morning out here on Lake Winnebago, with temperatures starting in the upper 40s and expected to climb into the mid-60s later today. Sunrise was at 5:42 AM, and we'll have daylight until sunset at 8:05 PM, giving you plenty of time on the water. Winds are light today, making for excellent fishing conditions. Lake Winnebago doesn't have tides, but water temperatures continue to rise, sitting in the mid-50s now, which has really activated the gamefish.The walleye bite has been strong this past week, particularly during early morning and evening hours. Anglers are reporting good success with jigs tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers near the river mouths. Some folks are also doing well trolling with crawler harnesses in 8-12 feet of water along the east shore.Bass fishing continues to be hot right now. Both smallmouth and largemouth are active in the shallows, especially around hard bottoms and early weed growth. The sweet spot seems to be six feet or less, with particular attention to docks where bass are stacking up. Soft plastics like worms and craws have been producing well, along with spinnerbaits and shallow-running crankbaits for covering water quickly.Pike action is picking up too, particularly in the northern bays and river mouths where the water is slightly warmer. Larger spinners and swimbaits are triggering some nice strikes, with a few trophy-sized northerns being reported.Panfish are becoming more active as well, with crappies and bluegills starting to move into the shallows. Small jigs tipped with waxworms or pieces of nightcrawler under a slip bobber have been the ticket.For hot spots, I'd recommend the Asylum Bay area for a mixed bag of walleye and pike, while the Fond du Lac area around the river mouth has been producing consistently as well. Don't overlook the High Cliff State Park shoreline for some quality smallmouth action.Local tip: Focus on wind-blown shorelines in the afternoon as the water warms up slightly – this has been triggering some aggressive feeding patterns, especially for walleye.Remember your 2025 fishing license and be mindful of size and bag limits. Until tomorrow, this is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and good fishing, folks!

This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Winnebago fishing report for Monday, May 5th, 2025.Weather today is classic early May in east-central Wisconsin. Expect cool mornings, warming into the mid-60s by afternoon, with patchy clouds and a light southwest breeze. Sunrise came at 5:38 am, with sunset expected at 8:05 pm. There’s no tidal action on the inland lake to worry about, but moon phase and that steady warming trend have the fish waking up and hungry after a long winter.Fishing activity is running strong across Lake Winnebago right now. Walleye are the main draw and showing up in solid numbers, particularly in that 12- to 23-inch range. Most folks are having the best success working the rock reefs along the western shore early and late in the day. Troll deep-running crankbaits like Deep ThunderSticks, Reef Runners, Wally Divers, and Shad Raps. Focus on colors with blue, purple, chartreuse, orange, or go with natural patterns like perch or shad. Make sure those baits are running close to bottom where the active fish are holding[5].Perch and bluegill are biting pretty well in shallows near weed beds, using small jigs tipped with waxies or minnows. Largemouth bass are starting to stage in the warmer water up in the bays and around river mouths. Try slow-rolling spinnerbaits, Texas-rigged soft plastics, or classic wacky worms. If you’re after northern pike, bigger swimbaits and flashy spinnerbaits are pulling a few nice ones, especially up north and at river inlets where the water temps are a bit higher[3][5].Recent catches have included limits of eater-size walleye and some quality slabs of crappie, plus a few bonus pike. Panfish numbers are up, especially for those working the sheltered bays out of the wind.For bait, minnows are a solid all-around choice for walleye and perch, with nightcrawlers working too. Leeches are starting to produce as the water warms up. Artificial lures get the edge this time of year for covering water and finding aggressive fish[5].A couple of hot spots to check today: Try the reefs off the west shore near Oshkosh for walleye in the morning, and the bays near the mouth of the Fox River for hungry panfish and bass as the day warms up. Don’t overlook the north end river mouths for a shot at a big pike or bonus crappie[3][5].That’s the latest from Lake Winnebago. Good luck out there, keep the rods bent, and stay safe on the water. This is Artificial Lure wishing you tight lines.

This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Winnebago fishing report for Sunday, May 4th, 2025. If you’re hitting the water today, you’re in luck—the spring bite is heating up and anglers are seeing real action across our big lake.Weather this morning is looking moderate, with a few clouds and temps warming up from the mid-40s at sunrise. Expect a high in the low 60s by afternoon, and a light breeze out of the southwest, which makes for pleasant boating and good drift control. Sunrise was at 5:37 a.m. and sunset will be about 8:04 p.m.—plenty of daylight for a full day on the water.Though tides aren’t a factor out here, the moon phase this week is favorable for increased fish activity. Water temps are in the low to mid-50s across most of the lake, which is right where we want them for spring walleye, perch, and panfish.Walleye have been biting strong, especially along the western shore near the rock reefs. Anglers trolling deep-running crankbaits—think Deep ThunderSticks, Reef Runners, and Shad Raps in blues, purples, chartreuse, or natural patterns—have been doing well. These baits running just above bottom are bringing in walleye in that prime 12 to 23-inch range, with some reports of even bigger fish mixed in. Don’t forget to tip your lures with a crawler or fathead for extra appeal.Perch action is steady, mainly around weed edges and out from the river mouths. A simple slip bobber rig with a live minnow or piece of crawler is getting the job done. Bluegill and crappie are moving into the shallows, especially in bays and protected coves, and small jigs tipped with plastics or waxies are putting numbers in the bucket.Northern pike and largemouth bass are prowling the shallows now, too. Spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and flashy spoons will draw reaction strikes, especially near emerging weeds and structure.Recent catches have been healthy—multiple limits of keeper walleye, plenty of eater-size perch, and steady panfish activity. Folks are reporting a mix of sizes but lots of action.For hot spots, check out the reefs off Oshkosh and Lakeside Park Point for walleyes, and don’t sleep on the mouth of the Fox River for mixed bags. The bays east of Fond du Lac have been good for perch and panfish.Best bet: Troll the reef edges at dawn and dusk with those deep divers, and target protected shallows with light tackle for panfish mid-day. Bring along crawlers and minnows for bait. Stay safe out there, tight lines, and I’ll see you at the landing.

This is Artificial Lure reporting in from the shores of Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, with your fishing update for Saturday, May 3, 2025.First light hit the water at 5:41 AM, and we’ll see sunset tonight at 8:01 PM. Today’s weather brought that classic early May feel—chilly but manageable, with temps starting in the low 40s and climbing into the mid-60s by afternoon. Light south winds kept the surface chop mild, making for good boat and shoreline conditions. No tidal shifts here, but keep an eye on the barometer—stable weather means happy fish.Fishing is heating up with spring in full swing. Walleye are still the top story, especially with the post-spawn bite settling in. Anglers are finding good numbers of eaters around the lake’s rock reefs and off the mouth of the Fox River. Jigging with a chartreuse or firetiger jig tipped with a fathead minnow or leech has been most consistent for walleye. Trolling crankbaits just outside the weedlines is pulling in bigger fish too, especially in 8-12 feet of water.Perch are biting strong in the shallows, especially near the reeds and docks on the west side. Small jigs tipped with worms or small plastics are the ticket here, and filling a bucket doesn’t take long when you hit a school. There have been some nice crappies mixed in as well, with black and white crappie both reported. They’re holding tight to submerged wood and deeper weed patches; a small minnow under a slip bobber is hard to beat.Bass anglers are in luck, too. Both largemouth and smallmouth are staging close to shore. The key is to focus on hard-bottomed areas around 6 feet deep, especially where there’s scattered weeds or rock. Shoreline docks are also hotspots. Soft plastic worms in natural colors and Texas rigged creature baits are putting plenty of bass in the boat. If you like a reaction bite, try a live shiner or nightcrawler—it’s a classic for a reason.If you’re looking for a couple of hot spots, try the reefs near Garlic Island and the stretch along Winneconne for walleye and perch. For bass, target the docks and rocky points near Oshkosh. The bite has been steady all week, and local reports say action is best early and late in the day.To sum up, walleye, perch, crappie, and bass are all in play right now. Minnows, nightcrawlers, and small plastics are top producers. The lake is open, spirits are high, and the fish are biting. Good luck, tight lines, and stay safe out there on the water.This is Artificial Lure signing off—see you on the lake.

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Winnebago fishing report for May 2, 2025.We are heading into early May with open water and spring patterns setting in. Sunrise today was around 5:45 AM and sunset will come just after 8:00 PM, so there’s plenty of daylight to get your lines wet. Weather-wise, expect cool mornings with temps in the upper 40s climbing to the mid-60s by afternoon. Winds are light, a bit of cloud cover expected, but no heavy rain in the forecast, making for comfortable conditions on the water. Lake Winnebago doesn’t have tides, but water temp is on the rise—prime time for gamefish activation[1][5].Bass fishing is especially hot right now. Both Smallmouth and Largemouth are active and hungry. Local anglers have been pulling good numbers working the shallow shorelines, especially where there’s hard bottom or early weed growth. Six feet or less is the magic depth for now, and don’t overlook the docks—bass are stacking up around those structures. Tried-and-true baits include soft plastics like worms and craws, as well as spinnerbaits and shallow-running crankbaits for covering water fast. Live bait lovers are having success with nightcrawlers and minnows, especially rigged under slip bobbers[5].Walleye are moving out of their spawning areas and starting to scatter across the lake. Trolling crankbaits or drifting with slip-bobber rigs tipped with leeches or fatheads is producing steady action, especially along windblown shorelines and rocky reefs. Early mornings and evenings are giving up the best catches.Crappie and bluegill action is picking up in the warmer shallows and backwater bays. Small hair jigs and plastics are the go-tos, but don’t underestimate the classic crappie minnow under a bobber. Perch reports are fair, with anglers finding pods in 8 to 10 feet of water, using pieces of crawler or small minnows.A few pike are showing up for anglers tossing larger spinners and swimbaits in the northern bays and river mouths where water is a touch warmer[5].Hot spots this week include the reefs just off Oshkosh for walleyes and the west shoreline weed beds south of Fond du Lac for panfish. For bass, check around the docks in Menasha or the shallow gravel bars by Black Wolf Point[5].That’s all for today. Get out there and enjoy Wisconsin’s biggest lake while spring fishing is at its best. Tight lines!

LAKE WINNEBAGO FISHING REPORT - April 30, 2025Howdy, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your fresh-off-the-boat report for Lake Winnebago today.The spring fishing action is heating up nicely across Lake Winnebago! Reports from this past week show anglers hauling in good numbers of perch and walleyes ranging from 12 to 23 inches[1]. Those jumbo perch are definitely making an appearance too!Today's weather is setting up for a decent day on the water, with moderate temperatures for late April. Sunrise was around 5:50 AM with sunset expected around 8:00 PM, giving you plenty of daylight hours to get your lines wet.The largemouth bass action has been particularly strong lately, with several anglers reporting success using swim jigs near riprap banks. White pearl Zoom Z Craw Jr. (3 1/2") has been a hot bait for this technique[3]. Bass have been actively chasing minnows along these structures, so matching your presentation to mimic those baitfish movements is key.For those targeting walleye, vertical presentations with Lindy Rigs or 1/4 ounce Live Bait Jigs have been producing well. Tip these with night crawlers, leeches, or large minnows for best results. Water clarity has changed with the warming temperatures, actually making traditional methods more effective than they've been in previous weeks[5].Hot spots to try today include the riprap areas along the eastern shoreline, particularly during the early morning hours. Mid-lake structures like bars, humps, and hard-bottom flats are holding scattered packs of walleyes[5]. For shore anglers, casting parallel to the riprap banks has been a productive approach, especially when using buzzbaits with a Pitt Boss skirt replacement[3].The Lake-Link fishing forecast indicates favorable fishing conditions for today, with the prime bite windows likely coming during the early morning and again in the evening hours[2].Based on the latest reports, I'd suggest stocking your tackle box with swim jigs, buzzbaits, Live Bait Jigs, and Lindy Rigs to be prepared for whatever's biting. Don't forget a good supply of night crawlers and minnows – the fish are definitely hungry!The fishing pressure has been moderate, with plenty of space to find your own honey hole. The most recent reports show activity across the lake, with particular success coming from the Fond du Lac and Oshkosh areas.So grab your gear, get on out there, and tight lines to ya! This is Artificial Lure signing off until tomorrow's report.

This is Artificial Lure with your April 23, 2025, Lake Winnebago fishing report.We started off this spring morning with sunrise at 6:36 AM, and you’ll have daylight to fish until sunset at 7:23 PM. Today is a bit cool, with temps in the mid-40s and a steady southwest breeze. Lake clarity’s holding around five and a half feet, so you’ll want to keep that in mind when choosing lures.Fishing activity is ramping up big time. The walleyes are moving out of the Wolf and Fox Rivers, heading back into the big lake after their spawn. Recent days have seen decent walleyes caught near reefs and rocky points. Hotspots to check right now are Kelly’s Point, Long Point Reef, and the east shoreline—these spots have put up good numbers the past week.If you’re after walleyes, Flicker Shads in #5, Shad Raps, and other crankbaits in metallic clown, blue/chrome, and purple have been producing well. In the evening, drifting a slip bobber with a leech over rocks or near shorelines is a good bet too[2][5].The white bass run has just started to fire off, and it’ll only get better from here. Numbers are picking up in both the river and the lake. Pulling flies is the top method for white bass right now, with purple being the color of choice. Don’t overlook white, green, or orange either. Casting jigs with plastics or small crankbaits will also get bites[2].Perch are showing up in mixed bags, especially when you’re pulling flies for white bass, along with the occasional drum. Panfish action is steady but not hot; most catches are coming from shallower bays using small jigs tipped with waxies or plastics.If you’re hoping for a lunker, remember the sturgeon spearing season wrapped up in February, but it was another solid year with over 600 sturgeon harvested on Lake Winnebago[4].Today’s best bets: hit the reefs at first light for walleyes, switch to white bass by late morning and don’t be afraid to move around if the bite slows—these fish are on the move. For bait, leeches and nightcrawlers remain go-to choices, but if you’re artificial-minded, purple crankbaits and flies are tough to beat.Good luck out there, and tight lines from your buddy Artificial Lure.