Lake Winnebago Report: Walleyes, Bass, and Catfish Bites in the Warm Summer Conditions

This is Artificial Lure coming to you with your Sunday, August 17th Lake Winnebago fishing report—right as the sun’s getting ready to pop over the horizon. Sunrise today is just about 5:58 AM, so if you’re tuning in early, grab your rod and a good thermos. Look for sunset tonight at 8:02 PM, with plenty of daylight to get a solid evening bite.

Let’s talk weather: right now, it’s muggy as can be—temps were sitting at 74° before sun-up, 100% humidity, and some patchy high clouds hanging around. Expect temps to heat up fast, heading towards the mid-80s by midday, with south breezes around 8 to 12 mph. Water’s warm and a little stained thanks to recent rains pushing extra flow from up north, but the lake’s in fishable shape.

On the catch front, folks are seeing a pretty steady bite across the basin and moving water zones. The walleyes have started sliding off into 7-14 feet, hanging around reefs and the outflow points, especially where cooler water’s coming in. Best action is near Garlic Island up by Oshkosh, and the reefs off Streich’s and Schneiders. The old standbys are working: try dragging crawler harnesses or running bottom-bouncers tipped with half a nightcrawler. With the water stained, chartreuse and purple blades or beads are picking up more attention. If you like casting, #7 Shad Raps and Berkley Flicker Minnows in firetiger or hot steel are money—keep those at a slow troll just ticking the tops of the rocks.

The perch bite is turning on local—lots of 6-8 inchers, but some jumbos if you’re willing to sort. Work the weed edges near Black Wolf Point or along the west shore mud flats. Tip a small slip bobber rig with a chunk of crawler or a minnow on a red hook. Early morning is best before the sun pushes them deeper, and remember to keep it light on gear—this is finesse fishing with clear line and small jigs.

Bass anglers have been hauling in solid bags—both largemouths from the docks around Fond du Lac and smallies off the rocky south ends. With the heat and humidity, work the shade: skip a wacky worm or Senko under piers, and try a white swim jig or chatterbait along outside weed edges. Early topwater has also been good—buzzbaits and frogs in the slop can produce those explosive bites.

Crappie and bluegill action remains fair. Look for brush and deeper cribs or roll up north towards the river inflows. A pink or chartreuse ice jig with a waxie or tiny chunk of worm fished under a bobber has been best, especially in water 8 to 12 feet deep.

Channel cats are hitting hard after dark along rocky riprap and by the river mouth near Rainbow Park. Cut shad, stink bait, or a good old chunk of hot dog will do the trick—set up near snags and wait for that drag to peel.

No tides here—Lake Winnebago being an inland lake—but water levels are up and feeder rivers are flowing, keeping fish on the move. According to local BFL tournament chatter on Instagram, yesterday’s event saw good numbers—folks were pleased with the weights, especially on big stringers of mixed bass and the occasional heavy ‘eye taken deep off the reefs.

For best results today:
- **Hot lure for walleyes**: #7 Shad Rap in firetiger
- **Perch and panfish**: 1/32 oz jig tipped with live worm or minnow
- **Bass**: Black-and-blue wacky rig, or white swim jig
- **Catfish**: Cut bait or stink bait, after sundown

A couple of hot spots you’ll want to try: Streich’s Reef for a mixed bag, and the west shore mud flats south of Black Wolf Point for perch and the odd bonus walleye. Don’t overlook the mouth of the Fox River for catfish and crappie.

That’s the update for today, folks. Thanks for tuning in to your Lake Winnebago report with Artificial Lure—be sure to subscribe so you’re always in the loop. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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