Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in with your Lake Winnebago fishing report.
We’re in early ice mode on Bago, and for once, it’s ahead of schedule. Fox 11 News talked with Fish Tales Bait, Tackle & Coffee in Oshkosh this week, and they’re seeing about **8–10 inches of ice on the main lake** with roughly **7 inches in Asylum Bay**, and very little snow cover. That clear ice is about as good as it gets for late December. As always, no ice is ever 100% safe, so spud your way out and don’t stretch your luck.
No tides here, of course, but the barometer’s been wobbling with these passing systems and light wintry mix in the forecast. Fox 11’s weather team is calling for mid‑30s, clouds, and a chance of freezing drizzle, which usually means a softer bite mid‑day and a better window at first and last light when that pressure steadies a bit. Sunrise is right around 7:25 a.m., sunset about 4:20 p.m., so your prime windows are tight but worth it.
Early‑ice fish activity has been classic Bago: shallow panfish and roaming walleyes. Fox 11’s piece from Asylum Bay had anglers picking up **big hybrid bluegills** in 4 feet of water, with perch mixed in. Reports coming into local bait shops around Oshkosh and Neenah are showing:
- **Perch**: decent numbers, but you’ve got to sort through dinks.
- **Bluegill and hybrids**: some legit slabs in the back bays.
- **Walleye**: low‑light roamers off points and reefs, more lookers than biters mid‑day but enough eaters to keep guys going.
- **White bass**: still spotty, small pods cruising the basin edges.
For tackle, keep it simple and small. On the panfish side, locals are running:
- 3–4 mm tungsten jigs in glow chartreuse, pink, or gold, tipped with a spike or waxie.
- Small flutter spoons (like a 1/16‑oz gold or purple) for perch, with a minnow head.
For walleye, the usual Winnebago staples:
- Rattle spoons in gold, UV green, or firetiger tipped with a minnow head.
- Deadstick with a small treble and lake shiner just off bottom.
- If they’re finicky, switch to a plain hook and split shot with a wiggling fathead.
Best bait right now: **spikes and wax worms** for panfish, **fatheads and shiners** for walleye and the odd pike. Most locals are grabbing bait in Oshkosh before heading out; Fish Tales and other nearby shops report brisk early‑ice business and steady minnows moving out the door.
Couple of hot spots to circle:
- **Asylum Bay (Oshkosh side)** – classic first‑ice spot, 4–7 feet, good bluegill and perch action with enough size to keep you interested if you stay mobile.
- **Off the Neenah and Menasha side, near the reefs and points** – early‑morning and evening walleye pass‑throughs, with bonus white bass when they’re in.
Travel light, drill lots of holes, and don’t be afraid to slide a little deeper if the shallow bite dies after sunup. Clear ice plus mid‑30s air temps can make for slick walks and good fish if you time those feeding windows.
Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for more local fishing updates.
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