I am asking for your advise on how does one learn to fish Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin? Or for that matter learn how to fish the bay of Green Bay in Wisconsin. Large bodies of water but only having a 17 foot boat with a 60hp motor. I have tried asking at the boat landings and the majority of the time people say that I need to put in your time and I will figure it out. I agree that this method will work but I am trying to figure things out without years of trial and error. I am not set up for trolling so I need to be able to firgure out how to fish a large body of water using the methods of jigging or casting. I know this limits the amount of water I can cover in a day. So, any advise on how pinpoint the best possible spots to try without the years of trial and error. And as a side question when I find that spot what advise do you have on jigging? Favorite jig, size, what type of line, type of reel, and what type of rod (length, stiffness, name brand …) Thank you in advance for your time and efforts. Todd.

Lake Winnebago and the Bay of Green Bay are great for fishing walleye. You have a seventeen-foot boat with a sixty horsepower motor, so you are ready for Winnebago and for the Bay. You are right, covering a large amount of water is your downfall, but it can be done and has been done. I suggest talking with the guys and gals over at Val’s Bait & Tackle Shop to see where the bites are and what bait is working the best. They are great for giving you the information you need. Up in the Bay of Green Bay, most anglers leave this area for winter ice fishing for walleye. I would suggest Lake Winnebago for spring, summer and fall with the boat and ice fishing the Bay for walleye during the winter. I would use a six to eight pound test line with a six to seven foot graphite rod. You want to have a lighter rod for walleye because they are known light strikers. Winnebago walleye fishing is great during the July Walleye Fest, but you can go anytime. Val’s Bait & Tackle also give out fishing reports and you can learn more about the bait that is working the best. You can take along some artificial lures and just play it by ear once you are there. For the record, casting and jigging work just fine for anglers on Lake Winnebago. You just need a map and maybe some good advice for the hot spot of the day from the bait shop.