Presented by Yamaha Motor Corp USA and Warrior Boats LLC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 29, 2018
Contact: Denny Fox, 920-505-0122
Anglers Insight Marketing LLC (AIM™)
Wisconsin’s Winnebago Calls With Great Walleye Action, But The Weather May Have Something In Store Sunday
Wisconsin’s Lake Winnebago is ready for a full field of AIM Weekend Walleye Series warriors in Sunday’s Nitro Boats Open, but the weather may have something to say about where the 100 boats will go find the lake’s improving class of fish that may mean 25-pound-plus bags.
“Winnebago’s always been known as a lake producing decent-size fish, but recently those guys have been putting on some weight,” said Denny Fox, AIM national tournament director. Because of that, the fishing should be great.”
Russell Gahagan is one who will be on Winnebago Sunday. He also runs Angler’s Avenue Pro Shop in Sheboygan, WI, an AIM sponsor, and reports that things like Winnie’s algae issues won’t affect the fishing, but it may affect the fishermen Sunday, depending on where, and how they’re doing it. He’s just a bit familiar with Winnebago. He’s notched 40 days on it already this season, and finished second at the recent NWT there.
“The algae makes it difficult to troll. It’s wind-oriented, and the forecast for the weekend is southwest pretty heavy. The lake’s north end has been where some of the best fishing has been so my expectation is the algae will get pushed up there and that will cause some problems,” Gahagan says. “It gets all over your line and your boards. And you may have to check your lines frequently because they’re full of that stuff.”
On the positive side, he said, the walleye fishing has been fantastic. “I think it’s been as good as I’ve ever seen. The average size is definitely up. The average keeper has been 16 to 18 inches, and this year, 18 to 20. The other interesting thing is the water temps have not gotten really hot, which means the entire system is in play,” Gahagan says.
The upper lakes on the Wolf River system near Winneconne, he said, still hold lots of fish because the water there hasn’t warmed up.
Winnebago’s biggest mayfly hatch is over, and isn’t an issue. The wind expected for Sunday, he say, may be. “It’s calling for 20-plus out of the southwest, so matter where you fish navigation and boat control will be issues.
“But I also think you’ll probably see some of the biggest weights AIM has seen here. I wouldn’t be surprised if a handful of guys have over 20 pounds,” he adds.
And what will pull them in? Harnesses and larger than normal crankbaits, he expects. “Big crankbaits and crawler harnesses, and the jig weed bite will be in play as well. Guys have the opportunity to catch big ones. ”
Another angler reached on the water at midweek is Jim Preissner, who’s not expecting the lake to be too bad. But, “too bad” is relative. He’s also expecting the upper lakes to still hold fish.
“We had heavy rain recently and there are still fish coming down the river. A tournament was won in the river last weekend with 18 pounds, and that’s pretty good for Winnebago,” Preissner says. He also likes the lake’s algae blooms when he’s fishing.
“I think it could be a pretty good jig bite. The algae darkens up everything,” he says. He also thinks pulling flies, and “pole lining” with floating Rapalas, which is similar to hand-lining, but with rods, trolling slowly upstream with a heavier weight to submerge it, may do the deed.
“My partner is a big jig fishermen so he’s doing that and I’m trolling to see what we come up with. Look for us in the winner’s circle,” he adds.
That winner’s podium will be waiting at Oshkosh’s Wicked Archery, starting at 5 p.m. Sunday for whomever figures out where the biggest ‘eyes will be, wind or no.
Teams will meet at 5 p.m. Saturday there for registration and the rules meeting. Boat inspection at Pioneer Marina on the Fox River’s south side in Oshkosh, starts at 5:30 a.m., and teams can launch either there or at the location of their choice. The first wave heads out at 7 a.m., and check-in for Wave One is at 3 p.m., and Wave Two, 3:15 p.m.
Watch the excitement on the water and at the awards at AIM’s Facebook site. Good luck all teams! For info on all AIM events, go to aimfishing.com.
Anglers Insight Marketing LLC (AIM™) is a unique tournament organization created and owned by many of the most accomplished and recognizable professional walleye anglers, along with others who share the mission of advancing competitive walleye fishing and making it sustainable into the future. AIM is committed to marketing excellence on behalf of its tournament competitors, the tournament host communities, and the brands that partner with it. AIM is also committed to maintaining healthy fisheries across the nation by the development of the exclusive AIM Catch-Record-Release™ format which is integral to its dynamic events and unparalleled consumer engagement.
For more information about AIM™, AIM Pro Walleye Series™, AIM Weekend Walleye Series, AIM sponsors and AIM anglers, visit www.aimfishing.com.
AIM Presenting Sponsors: Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A. and Warrior Boats, LLC.
AIM Supporting Sponsors: Mercury Marine, Nitro Boats, Garmin, Navionics, Power Pole, Worldwide Marine Insurance, AirWave Pedestals, Off Shore Tackle, Vibrations Tackle, Pro Chattrr, Gemini Sport Marketing, Treeland Resort, Anglers Avenue, Moonshine Lures Shiver Minnow, JT Outdoors Products, Fox River Lures and Rods, Bismarck Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau