31 August 2025
Late Summer Walleye, White Bass and Catfish on Lake Winnebago
Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin Fishing Report - Daily
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Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure reporting from the heart of Winnebago County. Here’s your Lake Winnebago fishing rundown for Sunday, August 31, 2025.
We’re waking up to a picture-perfect late-summer morning on the water. The National Weather Service out of Green Bay calls it sunny with hardly a cloud in sight, a gentle westerly wind around 5 knots turning southerly by the afternoon, and the surface staying calm with waves 2 feet or less. That's prime boating and casting weather, with sunrise at 6:14 AM and sunset around 7:30 PM. No hazardous weather expected, and with water temps lingering in the comfortable low 70s, you can expect fish to be active longer into the day.
As of yesterday, the lake’s looking as clear as ever — according to local reports, it’s being called one of the cleanest and clearest lakes in Wisconsin this summer. That means finesse might beat brute force when it comes to lure selection, especially with the sun up and water clarity high.
Moving to the bite: word around Oshkosh bait shops and from the Quinney Fishing Club suggests a healthy mix on the stringers this week. Walleye have shown up along the east shore rocky habitats, claimed mostly on crawler harnesses and shad-style crankbaits, with best success just after dawn and again an hour before dusk. Folks are picking up eaters in that 16-20 inch range, a handful of keepers pushing over 22 inches, but it’s been a grind for limits.
White bass are schooled and hunting baitfish near points and current seams, especially on the north end — try small twister tails, in-line spinners, or blade baits. When you catch one, stick with the spot a while; the schools have been tight but aggressive, and “wolf packs” are corralling minnows near Fond du Lac and along the reefs.
Catfish numbers are solid if you like soaking baits at sundown. Channel cats up to 10 pounds are hitting cut shad, stinkbait, or a fat nightcrawler worked near the river mouths and around the lake’s numerous brush piles.
For panfish fans, bluegills and crappies are holding in the 8–14 foot flats with woody cover or weed edges. Small jigs tipped with waxies or minnows are accounting for the majority, especially early and late. Target Sabre Bay or the reefs off Lakeside Park for best results.
On the bass side, largemouths are still tucked along shaded docks and riprap. Topwater action with frogs remains hot during these waning weeks of summer — several anglers reported quality fish smashing frogs and poppers along Winneconne’s backwaters and near High Cliff State Park. The frog bite should hang on into September, so don’t sleep on that sunrise window.
Lure selection this week: For walleye, lean towards natural-colored crankbaits and crawler harnesses. For white bass and panfish, try 1/16-oz jigs with chartreuse or white plastics. Catfish folks should stock up on fresh cut bait or stinkbait, while bass anglers — keep those topwater frogs and black/blue jigs ready for early and late periods.
A couple hot spots to circle:
- The reefs northwest of Oshkosh, especially near Garlic Island, are producing mixed bags of walleye, white bass, and the occasional perch.
- The mouth of the Fox River near Menasha — classic for cats and an early-morning walleye.
Not much tidal influence on Lake Winnebago, but pay attention to changing wind directions and the minor barometric fluctuations which can move these late summer schools.
That’s all from Lake Winnebago this morning — thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to hit subscribe for all the latest reports and tackle tips. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
We’re waking up to a picture-perfect late-summer morning on the water. The National Weather Service out of Green Bay calls it sunny with hardly a cloud in sight, a gentle westerly wind around 5 knots turning southerly by the afternoon, and the surface staying calm with waves 2 feet or less. That's prime boating and casting weather, with sunrise at 6:14 AM and sunset around 7:30 PM. No hazardous weather expected, and with water temps lingering in the comfortable low 70s, you can expect fish to be active longer into the day.
As of yesterday, the lake’s looking as clear as ever — according to local reports, it’s being called one of the cleanest and clearest lakes in Wisconsin this summer. That means finesse might beat brute force when it comes to lure selection, especially with the sun up and water clarity high.
Moving to the bite: word around Oshkosh bait shops and from the Quinney Fishing Club suggests a healthy mix on the stringers this week. Walleye have shown up along the east shore rocky habitats, claimed mostly on crawler harnesses and shad-style crankbaits, with best success just after dawn and again an hour before dusk. Folks are picking up eaters in that 16-20 inch range, a handful of keepers pushing over 22 inches, but it’s been a grind for limits.
White bass are schooled and hunting baitfish near points and current seams, especially on the north end — try small twister tails, in-line spinners, or blade baits. When you catch one, stick with the spot a while; the schools have been tight but aggressive, and “wolf packs” are corralling minnows near Fond du Lac and along the reefs.
Catfish numbers are solid if you like soaking baits at sundown. Channel cats up to 10 pounds are hitting cut shad, stinkbait, or a fat nightcrawler worked near the river mouths and around the lake’s numerous brush piles.
For panfish fans, bluegills and crappies are holding in the 8–14 foot flats with woody cover or weed edges. Small jigs tipped with waxies or minnows are accounting for the majority, especially early and late. Target Sabre Bay or the reefs off Lakeside Park for best results.
On the bass side, largemouths are still tucked along shaded docks and riprap. Topwater action with frogs remains hot during these waning weeks of summer — several anglers reported quality fish smashing frogs and poppers along Winneconne’s backwaters and near High Cliff State Park. The frog bite should hang on into September, so don’t sleep on that sunrise window.
Lure selection this week: For walleye, lean towards natural-colored crankbaits and crawler harnesses. For white bass and panfish, try 1/16-oz jigs with chartreuse or white plastics. Catfish folks should stock up on fresh cut bait or stinkbait, while bass anglers — keep those topwater frogs and black/blue jigs ready for early and late periods.
A couple hot spots to circle:
- The reefs northwest of Oshkosh, especially near Garlic Island, are producing mixed bags of walleye, white bass, and the occasional perch.
- The mouth of the Fox River near Menasha — classic for cats and an early-morning walleye.
Not much tidal influence on Lake Winnebago, but pay attention to changing wind directions and the minor barometric fluctuations which can move these late summer schools.
That’s all from Lake Winnebago this morning — thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to hit subscribe for all the latest reports and tackle tips. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn