Chronicle of Annual Fishing Activity
Ryan Standke Fishing Guide
Winnebago Pool Lakes
Wolf and Fox Rivers
Fishing Activity Chronicle
Lakes & Rivers in the Winnebago Pool
MARCH
Mid March ice conditions are fair to poor. Ice from the Wolf River is drifting to Lakes Poygan, Winneconne and on to Winnebago. Walleyes are migrating upstream into the Fox and Wolf rivers for spawning. Boat travel is not recommended. Fishing on the Winneconne bridge starts with good success.
APRIL
Rivers are clear of ice. Anglers in boats begin to fish pre-spawn walleyes with slow presentations. Anchoring with Wolf River rigs, drifting and jigging 1/8 to 3/8 ounce jigs. Minnows are the bait of choice. By mid-April the walleyes are spawning and begin to make there way back to the lakes. Using Wolf River rigs and flies work well as does jigging with jigs. Jig colors of chartreuse, orange or lime green are a good bet to put walleyes in the coolers. Bait of choice is minnows, leeches and nightcrawlers. Casting lures like the #5 Shad Raps and #7 Countdowns (Rapala Lures) can produce good catches as well.
MAY
Lots of river action as walleyes are still coming downstream from spawning, while white bass are going upstream to spawn mid-May. Wolf River rigs or minnows on flies work great for catching White Bass. Spinners also work great. Pink and white colors are good for white bass. By the end of May the waters are warming and walleyes are setting up for summer patterns.
JUNE
As the water warms up the walleye bite increases. Fish can be caught by the edges of cane beds, and also by trolling with planer boards, or drifting with Lindy Rigs. Casting 1/3 to 2/5 ounce Cleos in the blue/silver color also work good. Faster presentations are now being used. Good size Northern also can be caught during this month.
JULY
Walleye and Northern action continues strong through mid-July as the walleye bite slows down. Catfish action heats up in the Wolf River using Wolf River rigs and cut bait or dip bait. The Bluegill bite starts to get better day by day.
AUGUST
Catfish action increases and the Bluegill bite continues to increase also. By mid-August the Northern action heats up again in shallow bays with submerged weed growth. Large spinners and spinner baits work great.
SEPTEMBER
Northern action continues to mid-September. Walleye and White Bass start following the bait fish back up the rivers. Wolf River rigs, flies or jigs with minnows or nightcrawlers produce fish at this time of the year. Bluegill limits are common in bays and quiet waters. Bobbers and wax worms work great for the Bluegill bite.
OCTOBER
White Bass and Walleye action really heats up. The fish are following the bait fish now. Use Wolf River rigs, flies or jigs tipped with minnows.
NOVEMBER
Walleye show up in large numbers in the Wolf River. Drifting with the current and jigging in deep holes or along drop offs with minnows will produce fish. Anchoring and using Wolf River rigs also works. The action is hot until the water is iced over.
