This is Artificial Lure coming to you with your Nov. 16 fishing report for Lake Winnebago and surrounding waters, right here in the heart of Wisconsin.
After yesterday’s cold front, the skies over the lake are clearing, revealing classic crisp late fall air. Early this morning, temps hovered around the upper 40s with very light northwest winds, humidity up near 80%, and barometric pressure holding steady according to the Town of Stockbridge’s latest update. Don’t expect a tidal influence here—it’s all wind-driven, and today’s a manageable one for the Winnebago fleet. Sunrise came just after 6:50 a.m., with sunset set for about 4:31 p.m.
Water temps are dipping into the low-to-mid 40s now, pushing fish toward classic late fall habits: walleye, perch, and the ever-popular white bass are settling onto the edges of deeper holes and channel cuts. A few brave ice boaters are making appearances prepping for early ice, but open-water is still the ticket this weekend.
Fish activity’s been decent. Local reports say the walleye bite is picking up as these fish prepare for their winter push. Anglers drifting the reefs and rock piles east of Oshkosh and out toward Black Wolf Point are pulling in good numbers—several boats reporting mixed bags of walleye, eaters in that 15-20 inch range, with a couple pushin’ 24. Perch are still active, too, especially around the weed lines near Pipe and along the west shore off Wendt’s.
Recent catches have included limits of eater-sized perch and a steady showing of white bass. Folks jigging with small fatheads or running slip bobbers are also tying into a few bonus crappie here and there.
As for lures and bait: don’t overthink it this time of year. Jig and minnow combos are putting most walleye in the boat—¼-ounce hair jigs in green, chartreuse, or white are proven choices. Plastics on a plain jig, especially something paddle-tailed, have their days too. On calm mornings, a slow-rolled blade bait or Rippin’ Rap can fire up both the walleyes and a few bonus pike along the rocky breaks. For perch, standard rigs tipped with a small piece of crawler or a fathead minnow do the trick—keep ‘em lively and don’t be afraid to try a bit deeper as fish slide off the weed beds.
If you’re hunting hotspots, don’t skip the reefs off Fisherman’s Road and the area around Garlic Island—both have been steady producers this week. The mouth of the Fox River in Oshkosh remains a good bet if you want a mixed bag and quick access, especially with these cooler nights.
No tidal swings, but keep an eye on the wind. If it picks up from the southwest later today, shorelines along the northeast and east side of the lake could see bait and fish pushed up shallow, making for a great late-afternoon bite. The best solunar bite times, as forecasted by FishingReminder, are likely to be during the late afternoon, just ahead of sunset and again around mid-evening.
Remember, as temps drop and docks come out, ramp conditions can be slick—take care launching and loading. And please, check local regulations and wear your PFD.
Thanks for tuning in to your Lake Winnebago fishing report. For more local fishing tips, weather, and updates, don’t forget to subscribe. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear
https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
