2015 Winnebago Walleye Report and 2016 Outlook
Winnebago System Fisheries Enthusiasts:
Below is a message from my colleague Adam Nickel (Winnebago System Gamefish
Biologist) about current water levels on the Wolf River along with a PDF
version of the 2015 Winnebago System Walleye Report. I hope you enjoy the
information and please forward any questions or comments to Adam
(Adam.Nickel@wisconsin.gov).
Click here for 2015 Winnebago Walleye Report
Despite the recent snow fall, the 2016 Winnebago walleye run will be here
soon. In fact, DNR fisheries staff have already tagged 248 male and 100
female walleye on the Wolf River. However, with the recent cold front DNR
fisheries staff will wait until next week to resume tagging as it appears
that the peak spawn is still a little ways down the road. While out
conducting tagging surveys DNR staff encountered many anglers that were
talking about the high water levels on the Wolf River. The hydrograph
figure below indicates that discharge nearly reached 9,000 cubic feet per
second (cfs) on March 22nd, which marks the highest discharge observed
during March on the New London gauge since 1986. Furthermore, discharge has
already surpassed peak discharges that occurred during the recent high water
years of 2013 and 2014. For now it looks like 2016 will go down as a high
water year and it appears that conditions may be favorable for a good
walleye hatch. However, it remains to be seen what water levels and
temperatures will be through the rest of the spring and where they will
stand during peak walleye spawning. For now we will have to wait and see
how the 2016 spring walleye run progresses and look forward to the 2016
summer Lake Winnebago trawling assessment to reveal where the 2016 walleye
hatch will land. Good luck fishing and remember if you happen to catch a
tagged walleye or yellow perch please mail them to the Oshkosh DNR office
(625 East County Road Y, Oshkosh WI 54901), email them to
DNRWINNEBAGOSYSTEMTAGRETURNS@wisconsin.gov, or call 920-303-5429.