Looking to cast a line in Wisconsin? Well, what could be better than spending your time cruising the largest lake in the state? Head out on a Lake Winnebago fishing trip, and you’ll have access to a freshwater fishery that covers a whopping 137,700 acres. This lake boasts reefs, islands, two tributaries, and, best of all, some world-famous fish species.
Whether you’re a Bass enthusiast or more of a Walleye fanatic, you’ll find plenty of fish waiting to bite. Come rain, shine, or even snow, local anglers make the pilgrimage to this body of water to test their skills, fill their coolers, and even take part in tournaments. Yep, Lake Winnebago really has something to offer every angler. From families, to ice fishing fiends, to those seeking a freshwater game fish battle – everything is on offer.
Before you grab your rods and reels, you probably have some questions about fishing the waters of Lake Winnebago. What species, exactly, can you catch here? And how can you catch ’em? Don’t worry – we’ve covered all of this, and more, below…
Best Fish to Catch in Lake Winnebago
There’s a whole host of prized species lurking beneath the lake’s waters. Depending on when you visit, you might well have access to them all. Below, we’ve highlighted our favorite catches in the area…
Walleye
For many local Lake Winnebago anglers, Walleye are the undisputed kings of these waters. This is thanks to the lake’s many reefs and underwater structure, which make for the perfect habitat. A local fishing group named Walleyes for Tomorrow even campaigned (successfully!) for artificial “Walleye reefs” to be placed in the lake. They wanted to ensure that this species would remain a target for generations to come.
Why? Well, not only do Walleye taste delicious, but they also make for seriously exciting angling opponents. You can cruise these waters for them in the summer when the season is at its peak, during the spawning season in spring, and even on an ice fishing adventure in winter. This means that there’s always an opportunity to hook these fish, as well as an abundance of ways to catch them.
Looking for a family-friendly adventure that’ll fill your cooler? Summer sees Walleye flocking to underwater structure as near as a mile from shore. In spring, the lake’s eastern reefs are a hotspot for spawning fish. Trolling with live bait, especially minnows, is a popular technique. When winter comes around, you’ll find plenty of local anglers out on the lake, drilling holes and dropping lines topped with jigging spoons.
Bass
There’s a reason why Bass fishing is so popular on this body of water. The lake boasts not one but two beloved varieties of this fish. Local anglers like to describe ’em in this way: “Big lake, big Bass!” Wisconsin in general is known for its incredible Smallmouth Bass fishing opportunities. However, Lake Winnebago really ups the ante, as it’s home to a big mix of both Smallmouth and Largemouth varieties.
Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass are popular catches for two main reasons: they taste great and are fun to catch. What more could you want? This is especially true in the Lake Winnebago area. It’s seen a big boom in Bass fishing over the years, thanks to the diversity of habitats that can be found here. From shallow grassy waters to coldwater columns, it has everything that Bass love.
Most anglers instinctively head to offshore reefs and structure to target schools of summer Bass, but things work a little differently on Lake Winnebago. Local anglers actually recommend trolling the shorelines, and focusing your attention around pockets of water about 6 feet deep, areas with hard bottoms, and weeds. The lake’s docks are also a Bass hotspot. These fish are voracious feeders, and the humble worm is their snack of choice!
Pike
With waters that reach a maximum depth of only 21 feet, you may not first think of Lake Winnebago as being a top Pike fishing locale. These fish are known for their love of deep, cool waters, after all. Choose your location carefully, however, and you’ll be very pleasantly surprised. There’s a surprisingly impressive number of Pike in these waters, especially during the winter months and right after “ice-out,” when the lake begins to thaw.
Pike season hits its height during winter, when Lake Winnebago is frozen. This means one thing – ice fishing is in the cards! If you want the chance to catch a huge fish in a slightly unusual way, this is the perfect opportunity. Local anglers focus their attention around the western shore of the lake, as well as smaller bodies of water that are part of the Winnebago Chain.
The same goes when fishing in a more conventional way, too. Both North and South Asylum Bays are popular Pike spots, as well as Millers Bay. The weed beds in these bays hold plenty of Panfish, small Bass, and other bait fish. Crankbaits, spinners, and large shiny spoons are especially attractive to these fish, whether you’re fishing in spring or casting your line under a layer of ice!
Panfish
Looking to introduce your little ones to the magic of fishing on this lake? You’ll be pleased to know that it’s bustling with a variety of tasty Panfish. Yellow Perch are the top catch here, but they’re also joined by Bluegill and Crappie. You’ll find ’em year-round, inhabiting the lake no matter the season, with ice fishing for Perch being a much-loved local tradition. It’s time to fill the cooler!
Spring sees Panfish heading to the lake’s shorelines and shallow-water reefs. Perch are especially abundant in the southern part of this fishery. If you’re visiting in summer or autumn, head to the lake’s reefs. This is where the Panfish activity is! Sinkers topped with crawlers or worms are a popular way of hooking these fish around structure. Winter is all about ice fishing, with the shoreline being especially productive just after “freeze up.”
Perch are attracted to bright flashy colors, so try topping off your live bait (worms, minnows, or crickets will do) with a small colored bead or flag. Crappie and Bluegill also love worms, minnows, grubs, and other similar types of live bait. As these two fish tend to stay close to the surface, attaching a bobber to your line as well as their bait of choice is a winning combination.
And More!
Lake Winnebago really is proof that freshwater fishing doesn’t necessarily mean facing up against a lower number of angling opponents. Although we think the species we outlined above are the main stars of the show here, they’re by no means the only ones you can target.
You’ll find a number of Lake and Brown Trout showing up in the Fox River that flows into the lake, with summer being the peak season, especially if you go fishing from Oshkosh. Then there’s Muskellunge. The lake has historically had a low population of these fish, due to the Great Lakes stocking program ceasing in 2007. However, this number is growing by the day as the lake was re-stocked with Musky in 2015.
Then, if you’re looking for a prehistoric battle, head to the lake in February. This is when the annual Sturgeon spearing season begins! The timeline is tight, usually beginning on the second Saturday of the month and lasting for a maximum of 16 days. Make sure you keep an eye on this information to avoid disappointment.
How to Go Fishing on Lake Winnebago
From a Boat
Due to the sheer size of the lake, hopping aboard a local charter vessel is by far the most effective way to explore it. It may not be as pocket-friendly as shore fishing or as unique as ice fishing, but you’ll be able to effortlessly hop from reef to reef, cruising a whole variety of hotspots in chase of your target catch. Add to this your local guide’s expert knowledge, and it really is an unbeatable combination.
The majority of Lake Winnebago’s fishing charters are docked in the city of Oshkosh, which serves as the dividing point between Lake Winnebago and Lake Buttes des Mortes. You’ll have direct access to both of these waterways, which means a short and sweet journey to the most productive fishing spots. The type of vessel you’ll be fishing from may vary, but Bass boats are extremely common – and are built for lake fishing!
On Foot
Want to explore the lake without stepping on a boat? With 88 miles of shoreline on offer, there are plenty of opportunities. The cities that dot this lake’s shoreline are home to a variety of natural parks, most of which boast boat launches, shore fishing spots, and even fishing piers. Local anglers like to fish from the bridges near the lake, too, and around the Neenah and Menasha Dams.
When fishing on foot, your most likely catches are Panfish, Walleye, and some Bass. These species can be found throughout the lake, but can congregate in large groups around certain areas or piers. Local parks usually have a list of top catches, so if you’re just starting out or are after a specific fish, we recommend heading to one of ’em. If you’re a more seasoned fisherman, join the locals that line the bridges or dams!
A Word About Ice Fishing
Lake Winnebago is famed for its ice fishing opportunities. If you’re looking for a unique winter adventure, nothing quite beats casting a line against this beautiful frozen backdrop. However, it’s not quite as simple as just grabbing an ice drill, some bait, and your fishing rod, and setting up camp on the lake. Due to the reefs, breaks, and underwater structure, some areas are a lot safer than others to fish on.
In order to get the most out of your ice fishing adventure and also cast a line safely, we recommend heading out alongside a local ice fishing guide. Due to the popularity of this fishing method in the winter months, you’ll have plenty to choose from! Your guide will also be able to equip you with all the necessary gear. If you really want to fish without a guide, stick to frozen shorelines and fish around harbors and docks.
Lake Winnebago Fishing Spots
- High Cliff State Park: If you’re new to Lake Winnebago or fishing in general, this is the perfect place to start. You can fish the lake from the marina or the nearby rocks, with some anglers even choosing to wade in the waters for their target catch. Perch, Crappie, and Walleye are popular targets. It also has its own disability-accessible fishing pond.
- Kelly’s Point and Reef: Fishing from a boat and want to hook into lots of Walleye? Head around 5 miles north from Fon du Lac to the lake’s western shoreline, where you’ll come across this structure. There are weeds all around it, which means it attracts Walleye in droves.
- Oshkosh: If it’s charter boat fishing you’re after, Oshkosh is calling your name! It’s perfectly positioned right on Lake Winnebago’s shorelines, as well as providing access to Lake Butte des Morts to the west. Because of this, it’s a favored departure point for many local charter captains.
- Neenah Dam at Fox River: Ok, this might sound like a bit of a strange location, but bear with us. Head down to the Neenah Dam, which is positioned right near the spot where the mouth of the Fox River meets Lake Winnebago, and you’ll see plenty of anglers fishing on foot. Panfish and Walleye are the top targets here.
- Fond du Lac: located at the southernmost point of Lake Winnebago, Fond du Lac is another popular departure point for local charters. You’ll also find some productive on-foot fishing opportunities, thanks to the area’s collection of parks. Columbia Park is a must-visit, and provides boat launches, shore fishing, and plenty of amenities.
When to Go Fishing in Lake Winnebago
As we’ve already discussed ice fishing, it should be clear to you now that fishing is a year-round thing in this part of Wisconsin. As soon as the ice is thick enough in winter, locals flock to the lake to drill holes and get themselves a warming meal. Perch will be your main targets through the ice, but there’s also the chance of Walleye and Pike if you’re lucky.
When the ice begins to thaw in spring, charter captains and shore anglers start dusting off their conventional gear, as new life is all around the lake. April sees the season kick-off, with all fish beginning to bite. It only gets better the closer it gets to summer! Bass are the first to embark on their feeding frenzy, before Trout – Brown and Lake – and Muskies want a piece of the action.
Things stay exciting through fall, with Rainbow Trout dominating the waters until the waters freeze over once more.
Lake Winnebago Fishing Tournaments
If you’re the competitive type, why not time your visit with one of the lake’s prestigious fishing tournaments? With Walleye being such a huge part of Lake Winnebago’s fishing scene, it comes as no surprise that there’s an entire tournament dedicated to them. The Bago Walleye Club was founded in 2010 by local anglers to encourage some healthy competition within the area’s fishing scene, and they run four tournaments through the months of May–July.
There’s also Battle on Bago, which runs annual summer and winter tournaments, hosts the Midwest’s largest ice fishing tournament, and is locally viewed as being the area’s family and fishing event of the year. Anglers can target a variety of the lake’s fish in these tournaments – with over $275,000 in prizes, anyone has the chance of going home a winner!
Lake Winnebago Fishing Rules and Regulations
Yep, the legalities of fishing here are pretty important to know about before you head out! Basically, any angler over the age of 16 needs a Wisconsin fishing license to explore Lake Winnebago. This is the same whether you choose to fish with a local guide or by yourself.
There are some exceptions, which you can read about in our guide to getting a Wisconsin fishing license. You can also find out where to purchase your license.
Fishing Lake Winnebago: Big Lake, Even Bigger Fishing Opportunities!
Remember we mentioned that local anglers like to describe this area’s Bass fishing scene by saying, “Big lake, bigger Bass!”? Well, we think this can be applied to Lake Winnebago’s fishing opportunities as a whole. Whether you want to fish on a frozen wonderland for tasty Perch or huge Pike, troll the grass beds for Bass, or do battle with Walleye, there really is something for everyone. Grab your rods and reels and make your way to Wisconsin – Lake Winnebago awaits!
If you want to learn more about fishing in Wisconsin, read our complete guide.
Have you ever been fishing on Lake Winnebago? What did you catch? Any tips, tricks, or local advice to share with us? Comment below. We love hearing from you!
