Crankbaits
Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap
The classic lipless rattling crankbait for flats and schooling fish.
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Wisconsin's largest inland lake with walleye, white bass, and a sturgeon spearing tradition.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Lake Winnebago for white bass, yellow perch and walleye. The best months overall are Mar to Apr, Jun to Oct. In October, yellow perch and walleye are in season, and Suspending Jerkbait, Paddle-Tail Swimbait and Crappie Jig are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles; the closest is Fox River Bait & Tackle in Oshkosh, 8 mi away. Wolf River is 35 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.
Best Months
Mar to Apr, Jun to Oct
In October
Yellow Perch, Walleye
Methods
Spin, cast & bait
Season at a Glance
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What You'll Catch
Lake Winnebago Species
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
6 picks for October. ● means in season that month.
Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in
LureHard Bait · Walleye · After dark.
Shop This LurePaddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Walleye
Shop This LureCrappie Jig 1/32 to 1/8 oz
LureJig · Yellow Perch
Shop This LureJig and Minnow 1/8 to 3/8 oz
LureJig · Walleye
Shop This LureLive Minnows 1 to 3 in
BaitLive Bait · Walleye, Yellow Perch
Nightcrawlers Whole or half
BaitLive Bait · Yellow Perch
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Rod & Reel
Recommended Setups
White Bass
Fly 9 ft 6 wt rod, floating or intermediate line, Clousers and small baitfish flies.
Spin / Cast 6.5 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb line.
Yellow Perch
Spin / Cast 6 ft ultralight spinning rod or ice rod, 4 lb line, perch spreader or small jig.
Walleye
Spin / Cast 6.5 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid with a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Matched to These Species
Gear for Lake Winnebago
Rigs
Mack's Lure Wedding Ring Spinner
Small spinners tipped with corn or maggots for kokanee and perch.
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Rapala Shad Rap
A tight-wobbling crankbait that walleye anglers troll and cast.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo
Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.
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Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.
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Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament
Limp, easy-casting mono for spinning reels and general fishing.
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Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo
Light enough to feel crappie bites and cast small spinners for trout.
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Within 45 Miles
Shops Near Lake Winnebago
Bait & Tackle
Rippn-Lips Tackle Company
Stockbridge, Wisconsin· 8 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Stockbridge, WI.
Bait & Tackle
Blackburns Bait and Tackle
New Holstein, Wisconsin· 16 mi
Bait and tackle shop in New Holstein, WI.
Bait & Tackle
Angry Minnow Bait & Tackle
Fremont, Wisconsin· 28 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Fremont, WI.
Make It a Trip
Nearby Water
Rivers & Streams · Wisconsin · 35 mi
Wolf River
A spring spawning run river where walleye and white bass push up from Lake Winnebago.
Walleye · White Bass
Lakes & Reservoirs · Wisconsin · 48 mi
Green Bay
A Lake Michigan bay with trophy walleye, musky, and smallmouth around Sturgeon Bay.
Smallmouth Bass · Walleye · Muskellunge
Lakes & Reservoirs · Wisconsin · 72 mi
Milwaukee Lakefront
Harbor and river mouth fishing for kings and coho on Lake Michigan.
Chinook Salmon · Coho Salmon