As of November 8, 2024, the fishing scene on Lake Winnebago is looking promising despite the cooler autumn weather. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

### Weather and Conditions
The weather forecast is calling for bitter cold temperatures, so make sure to bundle up. Sunrise today is at around 6:30 AM, and sunset will be at about 4:30 PM. There are no tidal reports for Lake Winnebago since it is a freshwater lake, but water levels and clarity can be affected by recent weather patterns.

### Fish Activity
Walleyes are actively being caught, particularly along the east shoreline. Trolling with small crankbaits like Flicker Shad #5's and Salmo Hornets in metallic clown, purple, and pink colors has been effective. The slip bobber/leech combination is also heating up, especially in the evening hours. Use a small jig in green or orange tipped with a leech for good results.

Big smallmouth bass are feeding heavily on crayfish around the rock piles, with some fish seen in the 18-inch range and numerous smaller ones in the 12 to 15-inch range. Whitebass are also being caught in increasing numbers.

### Best Lures and Bait
For walleyes, stick with those small crankbaits and the slip bobber/leech setup. For smallmouth bass, imitate crayfish with your lures. On the ice, if you're targeting perch and crappies, use Clam Bomb Jigs, slender spoons, or tungsten jigs in dull orange or gold plated colors. Pound the mud with your jigs and spoons, slowly jigging them up from the bottom to attract the fish.

### Hot Spots
One of the hot spots right now is the east shoreline for walleyes. For smallmouth bass, focus on the rock piles where they are actively feeding on crayfish. If you're ice fishing, the Black Wolf area has about 7-9 inches of ice and is producing good-sized perch and crappies, though the fish can be spotty.

### Additional Tips
Sturgeon spearing season is set to open next Saturday, so keep that in mind if you're planning to target those. Also, be prepared for the cold weather and ensure you have all the necessary gear before you head out.

Overall, it's a great time to be on Lake Winnebago, with a variety of fish species active and some excellent fishing opportunities available. Stay warm and good luck on the water