Category: General

First and foremost, no ice is ever safe ice. Please use extreme caution especially on any early ice.
Due to the lack of ice building weather in our area, walking out should continue to be the only option
when heading out on these ice conditions.
Green Bay waters are still far from locked up, please pay very close attention to the wind direction every
day. It does not take much to separate the ice between you and shore and send you a drift. Ice
breaking operations on Green Bay continue as the USCG Mobile Bay has been working in the main
shipping lanes since last week.
People venturing out on Dead Horse Bay, and the Suamico area are still finding some decent Perch
action. Tip downs with minnows have been the best bet in the shallower waters.
In U-Bay the Joliet Part area has still been good action for some Walleye and Whitefish. Using weight
forward style jigs and plastics or minnow tails have been taking most of the Whitefish. Jigging raps
tipped with a minnow head have been a solid choice for Walleye along with tip ups.
Folks walking out at Volks, Bayshore and Red River area are all finding mixed success daily in the
shallower waters with mostly Whitefish but a couple Walleye have shown up also.
All these locations up the East Shore will continues to be very suspect to the South winds. EXTREME
CAUTION is advised.
The Sturgeon Bay area is still very shaky for any ice conditions
Walking out on Little Sturgeon Perch action has been fair. Some Pike have been taken on Tips ups with
Large Shiners. The Sawyer Harbor area has also had fair action for Perch and Pike.
Most other locations in Door County have very bad ice conditions.
The Fox River continues to be solid action for both Walleye and Whitefish. The warmer weather has
deteriorated the river ice in areas so use very extreme caution.
This next 10-day weather pattern will continue to see mild temps and some rain/snow. Hopefully
Mother Nature decides to give us a deep freeze soon so we can begin to move out to other popular
fishing areas. Be careful out there no fish is worth your life.
Capt. Robert Claus
FinFanatic Charters
920-360-2904
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com
www.finfanatic.net

First and foremost, no ice is ever safe ice.
Please use extreme caution especially on any early ice. Walking out should be the only option on these
early ice conditions. Wear your ice picks spud your way-out checking ice thickness as you go. Tell others
where you are planning on heading out to fish and use the buddy system never fish alone.
Venturing out on Green Bay especially on early ice conditions pay very close attention to the wind
direction, it does not take much to separate the ice between you and shore and send you a drift. Green
Bay is NOT locked in at all making every location vulnerable to ice shifting.
Locations on the lower west shore like Dead Horse Bay, Suamico, and Hook Rd, Guys are walking out just
offshore finding 3”-5” and having some mild success for Perch. Tip downs with minnows and Rosie Reds
brining most of the success.
In U-Bay the Joliet Part area has similar ice conditions 2”-6”, some Walleye and Whitefish activity has
been had with standard jigging techniques taking most fish. Jigging raps tipped with a minnow head and
Jigs/minnow along with some plastics all having a few bites.
Moving up along the east shore there have been a few guys also walking out and finding mixed success
with mostly Whitefish. Volks and Red River being the main targets. All these locations up the East Shore
will be very suspect to the South winds we are going to experience. EXTREME CAUTION is advised.
The Sturgeon Bay area is still very shaky for any ice conditions outside of a few folks walking out on Little
Sturgeon to target some early ice Perch jigging and with tip downs and Pike on tip ups. Most other
locations in Door County have very bad ice conditions.
The Fox River has what seems is the largest gathering of early ice fishermen locally. Both Walleye and
Whitefish catches have been good from all reports. Jigging various baits like jigging raps, spoons, and
blade baits being popular among anglers. The river ice is also varied in thickness and travel should be
limited to foot traffic only at this point.
This next 10 days we will see warmer temps and some rain possibility enter our weather pattern so
please use caution on all ice in the area. No fish is worth your life.
It looks like more consilient colder weather is coming our way soon so stay tuned! Yah, only at Smokeys!!!
Capt. Robert Claus
FinFanatic Charters
920-360-2904
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com

We have been getting flooded with calls asking where there is safe ice on the bay to fish. Remember ice is never 100% safe. With the cold weather we are experiencing this week some of the small bays are fish-able. On the west side Dead Horse bay has been producing some nice perch and pike are being caught off Hook Rd. On the east side fishermen are getting out of Joliet Park and are catching white fish and a few walleyes. Please do not venture out far from shore as the ice gets thinner the farther out you venture. On the Fox River the smaller harbors boarding the river has some safe ice on them. Perch, walleye, whitefish and crappie are being caught. Do not try to drive anything out on the ice at this time. Also beware of the ice breakers that will be in service through January on the bay and into the mouth of the Fox River. Always have the proper safety equipment with you and use the buddy system when fishing the early ice. for more information give us a call at 920 593 1749. Yah, only at Smokeys!!!

With docks being removed from launches and Mother Nature putting an icy grip on the Bay, this will be our last open water report of 2022. Once the ice is safe to fish Smokeys will have weekly ice fishing reports by Captain Claus, his reports will target perch, pike, walleye and whitefish on the bay of Green Bay and the Fox River.
The walleye bite continues to be good on the Fox River, as both day and night bites are still going strong. During the day, mid river edges of current are holding the most fish. Jigging hair jigs, casting ripper minnows, rippin raps, blade baits and crankbaits in rocks are taking the most fish. Trolling below the 172 flats and around University Bay was consistent, though ice formation is making the Bay unfishable. Trolled flicker minnows in purple and natural colors was best. Muskie action was slowed but some are still being caught. Trolling speeds of 2-2.5mph with shalllw diving crankbaits was best. Don’t be afraid to downsize your presentations for these large predators, as many fish are taken with 5-6” stickbaits meant for walleyes. Shore fishing has been hot out of Metro Launch and Voyager Park with nice catches of perch, walleye, pike and musky.
Thank you again to Tilky and all our followers of this report. Be safe, take a kid fishing, and I’ll see you in March! Yah, only at Smokeys!!!
Capt Jerry Ruffolo
Anglers Plus Guide Service LLC
920-973-2868

Walleyes and musky remain active around Green Bay and the Fox River. Water temperatures are falling with the weekends cold front, and big fish are active. Jigging for both big and eating size walleyes was excellent, with good fish found at the mouth of the Fox and south to the bridges and flats. Ripper minnows, hair jigs and blade baits have been best. The musky bite slowed a bit but good fish are still being taken at the mouth of the Fox and in University Bay. From second hand sources, I’m told perch are active in the Suamico Bay and River, Deadhorse Bay, and Oconto River. Fathead minnows should be an excellent choice for these fish. Shore fishing is on fire down at Metro Launch, huge walleyes, perch, pike and muskies are being caught, the bite is the best around dusk. Voyager Park is also doing very good for walleyes. If you go, please be safe and take a kid fishing. Yah, only at Smokeys!!!
Capt Jerry Ruffolo
Anglers Plus Guide Service LLC
920-973-2868

While the numbers of walleyes in the Fox River and Green Bay were plentiful, the catching was a bit tougher over the last week. Night fishing up near the dam on the Fox was still accounting for good numbers of fish, as anglers were casting swim baits or crankbaits to catch walleyes. The day bite, on the other hand, was very tough. Low current and migrating baitfish slowed the bite, with the best presentation for numbers being hair jigs, ripper minnows or blade baits in deep water around Walnut St or Mason St bridge. Walleyes are still biting on the Bay, with good fish and numbers found around Young’s Reef in Oconto and University Bay in Green Bay. Perch fishing has been good, with a good bite going in Sturgeon Bay, Little Sturgeon Bay, Oconto River, Suamico, and Deadhorse Bay. Fathead minnows on spreader rigs or night crawler pieces are best. The musky bite is still going well, with fish still taking large crankbaits around Kidney Island, east shore up near the Eagles Nest and on the Fox River. Shore fishing by Metro Launch and Voyager Park also slowed down this past week but with the rain and colder temperatures the bite should pick back up. If you go, be safe, and take a kid fishing. Yah, only at Smokeys!!!
Capt Jerry Ruffolo
Anglers Plus Guide Service LLC
920-973-2868

Great Walleye fishing on Green Bay and the Fox River continues, as unseasonably warm weather has brought out more fishermen, and the bite has not disappointed. On the Fox, good fishing at night up in the shallows near the dam has been hot, with casting crankbaits taking both big and eating size walleyes. While the river flow has been slow, daytime walleye fishing downriver has been good. Casting hair jigs, ripper minnows, blade baits and jig/plastic is taking many fish. For the trolling crew, good walleyes are biting on the flats below the 172 bridge. Musky are also present in the Fox, and trolling the flats is taking many fish. On the Bay, walleye and perch are still very active. Trolling crankbaits or casting hair jigs is taking the most walleyes. University Bay, Vincent Point, and Young’s Reef have been consistently putting out nice fish. Perch have been active around the shipping channel edges, in Deadhorse Bay, Suamico, and Oconto. Fathead minnows and crawlers are taking most of these fish. Shore fishermen are also catching some nice perch, pike, musky and walleyes from Metro Launch and Voyager Park. If you go, please be safe and take a kid fishing.
Capt Jerry Ruffolo
Anglers Plus Guide Service LLC
920-973-2868

Walleye fishing on the Fox River and Green Bay is very good, with several different bites going to please the dedicated trolled or jig fisherman. Jigging lures like the Wapsie Ripper Minnow and Tyrant Jiggn Raz have dominated our catch in the Fox River. Casting deep holes in the main river channel is taking most of our fish. Bat Lures blade baits, Smokey’s custom blade baits and hair jigs are also taking many walleyes on the Fox. The trolling bite below the 172 bridge has been good too. Flicker minnows and shads have been the best baits. Perch fishing has been good too, with decent catches taking place in Suamico, Deadhorse, and Oconto. Fathead minnows and crawler pieces have been best. Musky fishing is good both in the bay and
In the Fox River. Trolling large crankbaits is taking most fish. Live bait slow trolling with suckers is also taking these big predators. Shore fishing is still doing very well at Metro Launch and Voyager Park. If you go, please be safe and take a kid fishing. Yah, only at Smokeys!!!!
Capt Jerry Ruffolo
Anglers Plus Guide Service LLC
920-973-2868

Muskie fishing on Green Bay is at its peak right now, with several fish over 50” landed in the past week. Hot lures for these big fish include Tyrant Raz Shads, Super Shad Raps, and Tyrant 7″ Czars. Make sure you have weed catcher weights to make your trip a success. Trolling is taking the most fish, and those who love to throw big baits are also meeting with success. Fish are being taken in University Bay, Frying Pan Shoal, Longtail, Littletail, and in the Fox River. Good walleye fishing continues too, With a good bite found on the Fox River, Oconto shoal and in University Bay. Smokeys Custom Blade baits, trolling crankbaits, jigging, and casting spoons are all effective methods. Perch are also good, when Mother Nature lets us access them. Vincent Point, Bayshore, Deadhorse Bay, and Suamico are all good areas for perch. Crawler pieces and minnows are best baits. Shore fishing at Metro and Voyager Park is also doing well for all species of fish. If you go, please be safe, and take a kid fishing! For more information on what to use and where to fish call us at 920 593 1749, yah only at Smokeys!!!
Capt Jerry Ruffolo
Anglers Plus Guide Service LLC
920-973-2868

Walleye fishing in Green Bay remains excellent, with a good bite going in many places. The Fox River, University Bay, Geanos reef, Vincent point, Vokes reef, and reefs in the Oconto area are all putting out fish. In the fox river, hair jigs, blade baits, rippin raps, and ripper minnows are all taking fish. The trolling bite below the 172 bridge has been good, with a mixture of Walleyes and muskies being taken. In the evening, there’s a good bite going up by the Fox River Dam at De Pere and Metro launch casting crank baits in shallow water. Perch fishing has been good with decent catches being taken at dead horse bay, Suamico, Bayshore, Macos reef, and Oconto area. Fathead minnows and crawler pieces have been the best baits. Muskie fishing also has been excellent, with 4-5 or more strikes per trip the norm rather than the exception. Tyrant Raz shads, Super shad raps, Granny’s, Tyrant Czars and Jake’s are taking these big fish. If you go, please be safe and take a kid fishing! For more information on what to use and wwhere to fish call Smokeys at 920 593 1749. Yah, only at Smokeys!!!
Capt Jerry Ruffolo
Anglers Plus Guide Service
920-973-2868