Lake Winnebago System Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass Tips

 (Check out Axl’s comments and pictures below) 

Out on the main lake the west shore has many medium sized bays and (around Oshkosh) there are some real nice channels that have great docks and shorelines. These are good locations for early season largemouth as they will spawn in the channels. Some will remain in the channels throughout the year, but weeds can become very thick which makes fishing a bit harder. This also it true for the many City and County Parks and boat launches that have shore fishing access.

In recent years the water has been getting clearer and weeds are growing out in deeper water off shore. This results in opportunities to fish largemouth in deep water as well as shallow water. 

Smallmouth will normally be on or near hard or rock bottoms and points, and will be more likely found on the rocky reefs in the same areas that you find walleyes. They seem to be more available from Oshkosh north and all the way around the northeast end to and south of High Cliff State Park. But their range is also heading south along the east shore. Both the Fox Rivers entering and leaving Lake Winnebago will also provide for some good smallmouth fishing in and around the river channels.

A tip is to get a map with the Walleye reefs marked on them and fish these structures for smallmouth. Also, look at your electronics and look for sudden depth changes and fish these as well.  Don't forget to read up on the Members Only Section for Members Only Map, GPS Coordinates and Members Only Map Legend for several good spots Axl has identified as areas to check out for smallmouth and go check these out.  Then look for similar types of areas to expand your range of opportunities.  Later in the year find smallmouth near moving water throughout the system.

Baits are an individual choice but a wide variety will work and you are only limited by your imagination. Try lighter jigs (1/8 oz. or less) and tubes in colors that imitate Cray fish or pan fish colors. Try throwing senko's, flukes and swim baits around structure and try to fish the entire length of the dock/pier (Try skipping them under and past the supports and under any overhanging structure like trees).  Early in the year when the water is cool lipless crank baits fished along points and in the bays make great search baits. In fall, these same baits work when water temps and weeds begin to die off and recede. Pitch a drop shot next to the supports and over structure.

As the water warms throw spinner baits in open water over structure or along shorelines near the growing weeds. And don't forget to try throwing worms using Texas rigged, Carolina rigged or the newer wacky rigged style. 

When the water gets warm (into the upper 70's and higher), throw a mouse or rat in the lily pads and frog type buzz bait over the soup, as we call it. Fish shite or light lures on sunny days and dark on cloudy days are my favorite colors and the bites can be exciting. You'll be surprised how shallow bass can be in the weeds even in really warm water.

Live baits are also a good option especially if you’re just starting out and don’t want to spend a lot on baits. Slip bobber with either worms or leaches will work anywhere on the lake and in fall larger minnows seem to be the ticket as bass put on the feed before ice up.

Most of these techniques will also produce when fishing the Wolf and Fox River Systems that feed the Winnebago System. When it is real windy on Lake Winnebago the rivers offer a nice alternative and there is a great fall bite when the water temperatures drop into the 60's and below.

Here crank baits fishing close to rocky shorelines can produce nice smallmouth and the backwaters can yield some really nice largemouth. And the previously mentioned tactics will also work especially in the back waters of these rivers.

Finally, don't overlook Lakes Buttes de Morts, Winneconnie and Poygan. Most bass tournaments fish the entire Winnebago System and about half the boats that launch from Winneconnie don't get out on Lake Winnebago so that should be a testament to the bass fishing opportunities on these bodies of water.

In the fall when the water temps start declining into the lower 60's, there is a good smallmouth bite in the river systems that empty into Lake Winnebago.  You'll find fish from north of New London all the way down to Oshkosh.  Most common areas to fish are any riprap, mouth of rivers entering the Wolf as it heads south slack water areas along the river.  Try shallow diving crank baits or dragging jigs and tubes over the tops of cover.  These fish will be staging in the river and feeding heavy getting ready for winter and once you find one chances are good you'll catch several.  Develop a pattern and apply it to similar areas along the river.

Final thought: Good bass fishing opportunities aren't just found on the big lake, so depending on where you live good bass fishing is closer than you think.