As of October 17, 2024, the fishing scene on Lake Winnebago is quite active, despite the transitioning fall weather. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

**Weather and Water Conditions:**
The weather is expected to be sunny with temperatures in the mid-60s, which is typical for this time of year. Winds are coming from the southeast at about 13-17 mph, which might make the water a bit choppy but still manageable for boating.

**Sunrise and Sunset:**
Sunrise is at around 7:15 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 5:45 PM, giving you a good window for both morning and evening fishing.

**Fish Activity:**
Recently, anglers have been having success catching walleyes, yellow perch, and white bass. Walleyes are being caught primarily on the east shoreline by trolling small crankbaits such as Flicker Shad #5's and Salmo Hornets in metallic clown, purple, and pink colors. The slip bobber/leech bite is also heating up, especially in the evening hours, with small jigs in green or orange tipped with a leech.

**Best Lures and Bait:**
For walleyes, small crankbaits and slip bobbers with leeches are the way to go. For yellow perch and white bass, minnows and small jigs are effective. If you're targeting smallmouth bass, which are feeding heavily on crayfish, using jigs and plastics can be very productive.

**Hot Spots:**
One of the hot spots is the east shoreline of Lake Winnebago, where walleyes are being caught while trolling. Another good area is around the rock piles, where smallmouth bass are active and feeding on crayfish.

**Tidal Report:**
Lake Winnebago is a freshwater lake and does not have tides, so you don't need to worry about tidal changes affecting your fishing.

Overall, with the right lures and bait, and by targeting the right areas, you should have a good chance of catching some quality fish on Lake Winnebago today. Enjoy your time on the water