As of October 25, 2024, the fishing scene on Lake Winnebago is quite active, despite the bitter cold temperatures forecasted for the area.

### Weather and Conditions
The weather is expected to be chilly, which is typical for this time of year. According to the latest observations, temperatures are in the mid-50s, with winds coming from the southwest at about 6-8 mph.

### Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise today is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 5:30 PM, giving anglers a good window to hit the water.

### Fish Activity
Walleyes are being caught consistently, particularly on the east shoreline. Trolling small crankbaits like Flicker Shad #5's and Salmo Hornets in metallic clown, purple, and pink colors have been effective. 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 working well.

Big smallmouth bass are active on the rock piles, with some fish in the 18-inch range and numerous smaller ones in the 12 to 15 inch range. These bass are feeding heavily on crayfish.

Whitebass are also making an appearance, and their numbers are expected to increase in the coming weeks. They can be caught using jigs paired with plastics and crankbaits, but pulling flies, especially in purple, has been the most successful method.

### Best Lures and Bait
For walleyes, use Northland Fishing Tackle Thumper Jigs paired with nightcrawlers, or a Carolina rig with a 1/16-ounce weight and a gold hook. Hair jigs in purple, black, orange, and chartreuse are also effective.

For smallmouth bass, focus on using lures that mimic crayfish. For whitebass, pulling flies in purple, white, green, and orange is recommended.

### 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 the rock piles, which are home to big smallmouth bass feeding on crayfish.

Additionally, the Wolf River, which connects to Lake Winnebago, is seeing a good bite for walleyes and whitebass. Dragging crawlers along the bottom of the Wolf River has been particularly effective.

### Tidal Report
Lake Winnebago is a freshwater lake and does not have tidal movements. However, the water levels can fluctuate based on weather conditions and human activities such as dam operations.

In summary, Lake Winnebago is offering some great fishing opportunities right now, especially for walleyes, smallmouth bass, and whitebass. Make sure to bundle up for the cold and hit the water early to take advantage of the best fishing times.