My passion for ice fishing has been fueled by my success on the Lake Winnebago system, and I’ve realized that Oshkosh and the surrounding area truly is a premier ice fishing destination in Wisconsin. Whether you target Perch and Bluegill on Lake Winnebago or head up to Lake Butte Des Morts or Poygan in search of Walleye, Northern Pike, and Crappie, the possibilities for ice fishing success in the area are endless. Below you’ll find detailed information on my most successful tactics, fishing tackle, and locations on the Winnebago system where you’ll have a good shot to catch some of my favorite species this winter.
Lake Winnebago
Ice anglers all across the Midwest love catching big Bluegill and Perch, both of which can be found in the shallow bays of Lake Winnebago. Panfish tend to spend their time around the weeds looking for insects and small minnows to eat, and the weeds also release oxygen into the water that fish need to survive. This combination can be a recipe for success on the ice if you can find living weeds in winter, and these are commonly found in the shallow bays on the west side of Lake Winnebago. My standard approach to catching Bluegill and Perch through the ice on this system involves a small jig with a waxworm or plastic, such as a BMF Lil’ Spike. If you’re after some nice fish to take home for dinner, a simple lead ice fishing jig with a waxworm is a great way to do it. If you’re after a true trophy Panfish, a size #2 or #3 Rapala Jigging Rap is a bigger bait that helps to single out the bigger fish in the school. Even those new to ice fishing can do well by fishing these areas of Lake Winnebago, as a relatively simple approach can lead to great success.
Lake Butte Des Morts
Heading up the Fox River to the west of Lake Winnebago, you’ll find Lake Butte Des Morts. This lake is one of my favorites for Northern Pike and Panfish, specifically Crappie. Much like on Lake Winnebago, weeds are what I look for to find fish on this lake through the ice. While Panfish will roam around weeds looking for small insects and minnows for food, the Panfish are the main target of the much larger Northern Pike. Northern Pike can be an incredibly fun target for anglers of all ages, the thrill of running to a tip-up flag just never gets old. Sucker minnows, golden shiners, and even hot dogs (yes, you read that right) are all great baits to put on a hook under your tip-up. Pike are primarily scavengers and require big meals to give them enough energy to survive through our cold Wisconsin winters. I’ve included a detailed guide below for you to see how I rig my tip-ups for my most consistent Pike success through the ice. While I’m waiting for a Pike to set off my tip-up, I’ll often jig for Crappies on this lake, as they tend to be easier to find than on Lake Winnebago.
Lake Poygan
On the far northwest end of the Winnebago System lies Lake Poygan, a popular destination for those primarily looking to catch Walleye and White Bass. This lake is structurally much different than the two I previously mentioned, so the fish behave differently as well. Weeds and rock structures are less frequent on the main part of this lake, so a majority of the fish simply roam around the lake in packs chasing schools of minnows and other small fish for food. Due to minnows and small fish being the primary food source, you’ll want to choose baits that imitate them. I like to use 1-2” jigging spoons and #3 Rapala Jigging Raps to catch large quantities of Walleye and White Bass while I use Rapala Jigging Shadow Raps when I’m trying to attract the bigger Walleye in the school. Walleye and White Bass are my favorite fish to catch on this lake, the challenge of finding these roaming fish is all worth it when suddenly hundreds of hungry fish are under your hole in the ice. This is a lake I would only recommend for more experienced anglers, as the time spent searching for schools of fish can be a bit dull for newer anglers. Those who have had success on Lake Poygan know that the reward is worth the work!
Final Thoughts
Above all, I need to highlight the importance of ice safety, as many people don’t realize just how dangerous ice fishing can be. A great day of fishing can be ruined by going for a surprise swim in cold water, so take every precaution possible when ice fishing. This includes but is not limited to; using a spud bar to check the ice thickness as you walk, fishing with another angler whenever possible, wearing ice picks to pull yourself out if you fall in, and letting someone know what time you plan to be off the ice. If you’re new to the area or haven’t been out ice fishing in a while, stopping in at a local bait shop such as Fish Tales or Critter’s to ask about ice conditions is never a bad idea. To warm up after a long day on the ice, visit Becket’s in Oshkosh for a hot meal.
