Menasha Channel

Lake Winnebago, the largest inland lake in Wisconsin, allows navigation through the Fox River inlet to lakes Butte des Morts, Winneconne and Poygan. The Lake Winnebago system leads to the inlet of the Wolf River. Lake Winnebago’s self-sustaining lake sturgeon population is rated as one of the finest in North America. The traditional winter spearing season in 2004 produced a sturgeon weighing in at 188 lbs! Ice fishing Lake Winnebago for walleye, perch, white bass and sturgeon is popular with anglers throughout the nation. Check with local fishing guides and marinas regarding pressure cracks or areas of weak ice around currents. Careful navigation close to shore and near islands is urged. Shallow unmarked reefs and sand bars can be hazardous. Rapidly changing weather should also be observed. Special fishing regulations apply to Lake Winnebago and connecting waters. Consult the Wisconsin fishing regulations for details.

Trout perch, emerald shiner, young-of-the-year freshwater drum (sheepshead) and carp are the most abundant forage. Lake fly larvae (red worms) provide an important food source for sturgeon. The bottom-dwelling red worms hatch into lake flies in mid-May. Gizzard shad can be significant although they tend to cyclically die-off and reemerge. Crayfish are also present.

Studies indicate that the older, larger walleye move upstream to spawn in the marshes along the Wolf River, while young walleye tend to spawn in the Fox River and along the west shore of Lake Winnebago. The spawning run usually lasts 7 to 10 days and generally occurs between April 8 and 18. Most fish are caught after spawning as they return downstream. The white bass run usually lasts from early-to-mid May. The largest concentrations of fish are found in the Fox and Wolf Rivers, up to New London.