OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The recent cold weather is having an impact on a popular sport fishing event.
The Walleye Run on the Lake Winnebago System is typically in full swing, but this year, it’s a little delayed.
Snow covered the docks, and the boat landing was empty Monday morning along the Fox River at Rainbow Memorial Park in Oshkosh.
“The spring fishing season started good, and then as the weather kept getting colder, it’s either pouring rain, or 40 mile an hour winds, it seems like,” said Cory Van Vonderen, Fish Tales Bait and Tackle Owner.
Van Vonderen says every spring walleye make their way up rivers, streams and tributaries of the Lake Winnebago System to spawn.
“Obviously it’s shallow water. So when we have nights like we did last night, it gets cold, and they just seem like they kind of just stop what they’re doing. They just kind of hold and wait for that temperature to be right,” he said.
According to the Department of Natural Resources, walleye typically need water temperatures of 42-50 degrees to spawn. On Monday, an unscientific reading taken from the Wolf River in Waupaca County read 42 degrees.
“It’s not like they leave the river, and come back to the lake. They just kind of pause in place, and wait for it to get ideal,” said Van Vonderen.
Even on a snowy day, a public fishing pier in Fremont, attracted anglers.
“Because the weather is bad enough, so there might not be too many people. That’s exactly why,” said Andy Kerske, Plover.
Kerske was testing his luck.
“I guess it’s as far as I know, kind of slow for the most part. Like I said, you catch a meal from shore at least. I’ve seen boats do good the last time we were out, but pretty slow,” said Kerske.
Kerske had a walleye on a stringer.
“Just one. First cast of the day, and nothing since. Not even a bite,” he said.
The daily bag limit for walleye on the Lake Winnebago System is three fish.
Anglers say warmer weather should improve the fishing conditions.
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