Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure with your on-the-water fishing report for Lake Winnebago and the surrounding basin, coming to you on Monday, November 3rd, 2025.

We’re kicking off today under clear, sunny skies with a brisk west wind—gusts topping 25 knots this morning according to Bayshore Marina’s most recent weather update. Temperatures are starting around 7 to 12°C, rising into the low-to-mid teens by this afternoon before cooling again by sundown. It’s a typical fall pattern for early November around the Fox Valley. Sunrise hit the lake today at 6:38 a.m., with the sun setting about 4:43 p.m. this evening. Tidal swings aren’t a factor on these inland waters, but with winds blowing steady out of the west and northwest, shoreline anglers will want extra weight to stay down and keep those lines tight.

The bite has been classic for this time of year—walleye are the headliners, with recent catches reported consistently on both the main lake and in the connecting rivers. According to a late October trip posted by local anglers on YouTube, a mix of pitching search baits tipped with minnows and vertical jigging was the ticket for big eyes when the wind kicked up. Most action is coming out of 13 to 18 feet of water along reefs off Black Wolf Point and the west shore between Long Point and Asylum Bay. Fish are stacking up just outside the river mouths and along deeper rock humps as they transition to wintering spots.

Anglers are finding good numbers of eater-size walleye—many in the 15 to 20-inch class, with a sprinkle of larger slot fish caught over the past week. Don’t overlook the late-season perch run either; jumbo perch have been picked up just south of Oshkosh, particularly near Garlic Island and the mouth of the Fox. Live bait rigs with minnows or small leeches are producing for both species, but hands down the best success has come from vertical jigging. Gold, orange, and chartreuse have been the hot colors—especially when rigged on a 1/4 ounce jighead and tipped with a lively fathead or a frozen emerald shiner.

Saugers, white bass, and the odd northern pike are also coming to the net, mostly as bycatch for those staying flexible with their presentation. If you’re after crappie, focus on the upper end of the lake and the connecting rivers—look for steep inside turns and deeper flats, and don’t be afraid to try small jigs or plastics suspended under a slip bobber.

For artificial lure action, blade baits and shad-style crankbaits in firetiger or perch patterns are catching those aggressive biters during the windier afternoons. Folks trolling leadcore along the breaklines between Garlic Island and Fisherman’s Road have been rewarded with mixed bags of walleye and white bass.

Two hot spots to have on your radar this week:
- The reefs off Black Wolf Point, especially for the sunset bite.
- Garlic Island flats near the Fox River mouth—solid for both big perch and walleye on a live bait rig.

Remember, November winds call for drift socks, a good anchor, and extra caution. The bite moves with the weather, so follow the wind lanes and watch for gulls working—there’s always a fish chasing the bait somewhere on Winnebago.

Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure’s Lake Winnebago fishing report! Subscribe if you want more local tips and real-time water wisdom. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI