Category: General

First and foremost, no ice is ever safe ice.
Reports from the Fox are that ice is in good shape, but foot traffic only is still recommended. Walleye
activity has been above average, and reports of a few bigger fish have surfaced. Jigging raps have still
been a favorite choice tipped with a minnow head.
Perch fishing activity has been happening from Deadhorse Bay to Suamico and all the way up to Oconto
Park 2 area along the West shore, and mostly around Little Sturgeon Bay and Sawyer Harbor along the
East Shore. Reports are mixed and mostly due to the unstable weather we have had. Some report limits
and some report 5 to 10 fish per person with sorting through smaller fish. One common theme has
been some really big trophy Perch keep showing up in all locations. Please consider releasing all those
big females to help keep out fishery going strong. Tip downs and Box Tip-Ups with small shiners or Rosie
reds have continued to dominate the catches. A few fish have fallen pray to anglers using small plastics
and small jigging spoons also.
For Northern Pike areas in the back of the bays has continued to be decent with mostly smaller fish
showing up. Dead Horse Bay and Suamico lead the West Shore and Little Sturgeon leads the East Shore
for action. Tip-Ups with Large Golden Shiners continues to be the best presentation.
Lower Bay areas around Dykesville to Point Comfort have been fair to good for Whitefish. Slick jigs
tipped with a minnow tail or plastic have been good bait choices.
Over the last week the Larsons reef area continued to see ice shifting. Several new cracks opened up
out offshore. The new cracks left several dangerous areas with small to medium sized open water
pockets. Use extreme caution when navigating to and from the Whitefish areas. The deep freeze
weather upon us should make this more secure moving forward, but please remember Green Bay is a
very dynamic body of water and Ice can change in an instant.
Anglers that were able to get on the reef had very good success targeting Whitefish. Slider Rigs and Jigs
and plastics continue to be the most prominent tactic. Any plastic that mimics a Goby is a good choice.
If you want to find more success out there with Whitefish get away from the crowd.

Yah only at Smokeys!!! We will reopen March 2nd. See you soon mangs.

Capt. Robert Claus
FinFanatic Charters
920-360-2904
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com
www.finfanatic.net

First and foremost, no ice is ever safe ice.
The Fox River has good ice coverage but again please continue to navigate only on foot and remember
this is a river with current and thin ice can appear in many areas use a spud and walk cautiously. Anglers
are reporting above average catches of Walleye especially areas of the river down from Fox Point Boat
Launch. Jig/minnow and jigging raps tipped with a minnow continue to outshine other presentations.
But do not overlook other jigging tactics like spoons tipped with minnows and blade baits.
Deadhorse Bay and Suamico have reports of very good ice conditions, but fishing reports have been
slow. Tip downs and box tip ups with minnows do seem to be showing the best catch rates.
Lower Bay areas like Volks, Vincent, and Bay Shore continue to show good catches of Whitefish. Tactics
change from day to day so be prepared to use minnows on slick jigs, Goby mimicking plastics on a jig,
jigging shad raps or sliders tipped with waxies.
Little Sturgeon Bay and Sawyer harbor are both reporting a slow down in perch activity. Most likely due
to the heavy traffic of anglers in that clear water. Tip Downs and box tip ups are still the best tactic to
get on a school of Perch. Some decent action on tip ups for Pike has been reported around the Little
Sturgeon Bay area. Large Golden Shiners have been the bait of choice by most.
The Larsons reef area continues to see ice shifting. Some commercial boat traffic between Sturgeon Bay
and Marinette has allowed the ice to shit with offshore winds. Several cracks that have been open as
wide as 100’ continue to plague getting to deep water in general. Getting on and off the reef is going to
continue be a gamble for a bit yet. The colder weather approaching and hopefully no more boat
movement may make this more secure.
Anglers that were able to get on the reef had very good success with limits or near limits of Whitefish
showing up. Slider Rigs and Jigs and plastics seemed to be the most prominent tactic. Try running a
Slick Jig with a Keitech Plastic tail on the back to mimic a Goby.

Smokeys on the Bay will reopen Monday March 3rd 2025. Yah, se you soon!!!

Capt. Robert Claus
FinFanatic Charters
920-360-2904
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com

First and foremost, no ice is ever safe ice.
Well in some areas of Green Bay ice fishing season is in full swing, but there are several zones that still
need much caution.
The Fox River has good ice coverage but continue to navigate only on foot and remember this is a river
with current and thin ice can appear in many areas use a spud and walk cautiously. Anglers are
reporting decent catches of Walleye. Jig/minnow and jigging raps tipped with a minnow are remining
the favorites but blade baits and other glide baits like Shiver Minnows have been working. Size is in
general smaller to medium but if you are looking to keep a few the size for that has been good.
Remember the limit currently on the Fox is 3 fish with no length limit.
Deadhorse Bay and Suamico both continue to see pressure for Perch chasers. Reports have been few
and far between, but from the sounds of it the action was slower this last week. Tip downs and Box
Tip ups with small shiners or rosie reds have continued to be the best tactics.
From Volks to Red River reports are that action for Whitefish in general has been above average. Jigging
goby style plastics and slick jigs with minnow tails or plastics are being reported as the best tactics.
Anglers that like to run sliders are reporting that sliders with waxies have caught some fish also. Not
much reported for Perch activity in this area. There are reports of a few anglers making it out to 2 Mile
reef finding Whitefish and an occasional Walleye.
Little Sturgeon Bay has around 12” of ice depending on where you are in the bay be diligent and use
caution around the points and some rock humps those areas have had open water pockets this week..
Reports from last week were Perch action was slow in general. Tip downs and box tip ups with minnows
were the best. Pike anglers continue to report a good tip up bite using large golden shiners around the
back areas on Little Sturgeon. Other areas like the Flats and Potawatomi Park were reported as slow for
Pike.
The Larsons reef area continues to see ice shifting. Several cracks that have been open as wide as 100’
continue to plague getting to deep water in general. Getting on and off the reef is going to be a gamble
until the ice can settle from the winds as of late and we get some more cold weather back.
Walking out off Lime Kiln and Big Rock has seen folks having good success with Whitefish but use
extreme caution on those areas as several cracks have been working near the shorelines.
The shipping traffic was operational through last Saturday. The Port of Green Bay is now closed.

Capt. Robert Claus
FinFanatic Charters
920-360-2904
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com
www.finfanatic.net

First and foremost, no ice is ever safe ice.
The cold weather has Green Bay getting to a point that looks like we will have a great ice season overall.
One big reminder is that there will be ice breaking and Shipping traffic on Green Bay up until the end of
January so that can present ice movement issues when the winds are strong. Please pay attention to
your winds when venturing out.
The Fox River off Voyager Park has seen reports of 10” now this week in most areas. Continued caution
should be advised when venturing out near the river channel. Anglers continue reporting very good
action jigging Walleyes in the morning and evening along with a few Whitefish mixed in. Jigging raps
and jig/minnow combinations being the most productive, but do not overlook blade baits!
Deadhorse Bay and Suamico both have anglers venturing out on ATV’s and Snowmobiles. Most anglers
are targeting Perch with some mild success. Tip downs and box tip ups with minnows have been the
most productive with some fish caught on small plastic and jigging raps actively jigging. Some anglers
using tip ups and Large Golden Shiners are reporting finding a few Pike in these aeras also.
Reports from Volks to Bayshore and up to Red River have been that action has been very good overall
for Whitefish with above average numbers being reported most days. Jigging goby style plastics and
jigging raps tipped with wax worms are being reported as the best tactics. The Perch bite in these areas
has been reported as below normal. Some ATV traffic has been seen around these locations but use
caution. Walleye activity has been slow, but a few decent fish have been reported among guys jigging
for Whitefish.
Little Sturgeon Bay has around 12” of ice depending on where you are in the bay be diligent and use
caution around the points and some rock humps those areas may be less ice formation. Reports
continue of good Perch action form anglers. Tip downs and box tip ups with minnows are the best but
actively jigging baits like small spoons tipped with wax worms or jigging raps have been producing. Pike
anglers continue to report a good tip up bite using large golden shiners around the back areas on Little
Sturgeon. Perch anglers venturing out onto Sawyer Harbor near Sturgeon Bay are also reporting good
catches of Perch at times using the same tactics.
The Larsons reef area over the past week has seen then ice blow out and in several times. Noone has
been venturing out there to chase Whitefish just yet. But expect those reports to pick up after this week
with continued cold weather.
Walking out off Lime Kiln and Big Rock has seen folks having good success with Whitefish but use
extreme caution on those areas as several cracks have been working near the shorelines.
Capt. Robert Claus
FinFanatic Charters
920-360-2904
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com
www.finfanatic.net

First and foremost, no ice is ever safe ice.
Continued cold weather has keep our ice pack growing for the most part. Not by leaps and bounds yet
but the forecast over the next 2 weeks looks even better.
Keep in mind that the ice breaking operations on Green Bay are continuing to happen often and will
continue at least through the end of January. This can make some areas suspect with the wrong wind
conditions. So pay attention to boat traffic and wind conditions daily.
The Fox River off Voyager Park has seen reports of 6”-8” now this week. There were areas of the river
near the channel that were still open water early last week so some of those spots were less ice so
continued caution should be advised when venturing out on the Fox. Anglers continue reporting some
action jigging Walleyes in the morning and evening. Jigging raps and jig/minnow combinations being the
most productive.
Anglers continue to venture out of Joliet Park area, but no reports have some in of catches. So either
the fish are biting and its hush hush or it has been tough. You decide. Ice conditions are 10” for the
most part.
Deadhorse Bay continues to see increased traffic, and anglers are mostly targeting Perch. Tip downs and
box tip ups with minnows have been the most productive with some fish caught on small plastic and
jigging raps actively jigging. Perch anglers are reporting good conditions over all out of Suamico but
action can be better away from others
Reports from Volks and Bayshore have been that action has been good overall for Whitefish. When
schools move through the bite can be good with above average numbers being reported most days.
Jigging goby style plastics and jigging raps tipped with wax worms are being reported as the best tactics.
An occasional Perch has been popping up around Bay Shore also. Most anglers are reporting staying
fairly near shore still with the potential for ice movement. These areas are also advised only walking
traffic still at this point.
Areas like Red River and Sugar Creek been more suspect to the moving ice conditions so I would use a
ton of caution if thinking about venturing out of those locations. Reports have been sparse but a few
anglers are getting out there on foot and finding a few Whitefish.
Little Sturgeon Bay has been reporting from 8-12” of ice depending on where you are in the bay. There
were also areas of open water around the points and some rock points early last week so those areas
should be avoided. Reports of good Perch action are coming form anglers again using tip downs and box
tip ups with minnows. Anglers actively jigging are also reporting having decent luck with most fish
running average to slightly above average in size. Pike anglers are reporting a good tip up bite using
large golden shiners around the back areas on Little Sturgeon.
The Larsons reef area is still weeks away from being fishable and lots of ice movement over the
weekend was evident. Please do not venture out there currently.
Capt. Robert Claus
FinFanatic Charters
920-360-2904
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com

First and foremost, no ice is ever safe ice.
Well, the cold weather has dropped in on us and it looks very promising to stay cold overall and keep us
on a path building ice around Green Bay daily. With that said this early ice can be the most dangerous
and most suspect to cracking and shifting and even “blowing out” until all of Green Bay freezes across
and to the north. So please be mind full of your wind conditions and direction every day when planning
to head out. Even a 5-10 mph offshore wind can be enough to set you a drift on an iceberg.
The Fox River off Voyager Park has seen reports of 4”-6” the last few days and anglers are reporting
some action jigging Walleyes in the morning and evening. Jigging raps and jig/minnow combinations
being the most productive.
Anglers venturing out of Joliet Park are reporting slow action for everything.
Reports of good ice conditions on Deadhorse bay have anglers targeting Perch with tip downs and box
tip ups. Minnows being the best bait choice. Most reports are fish are scattered and it may take you a
bit of looking to find some schools. Not too many reports out of the Suamico area yet but anglers have
been venturing out there looking for Perch action.
East shore locations like Volks and Bayshore have walkable ice but use caution as much of that ice “blew
in” and is suspect to wind shifts. Some reports are Whitefish activity has been up and down. Guys
willing to stick it out and move arounds a little are picking up Whitefish jigging goby style plastics and
spoons tipped with wax worms.
Areas like Red River and Sugar Creek have just begun to ice in so I would use a ton of caution if thinking
about venturing out of those locations.
Also be advised that shipping traffic out on Green Bay does continue through the entire month of
January and can cause high potential for issues even near shore.

Capt. Robert Claus
FinFanatic Charters
920-360-2904
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com

First and foremost, no ice is ever safe ice.
The last several days of warm weather, rain, and some wind has made many areas that had walkable ice
around Green Bay much more dangerous. I CAN NEVER STATE THIS ENOUGH USE EXTREME CAUTION!
With that said I suggest holding off venturing out until the temperatures drop once again. It looks like
by the coming weekend some areas may be walkable once again.
Hopefully next weeks report will be much improved!
Also be advised that shipping traffic out on Green Bay does continue through the entire month of
January and can cause high potential for issues even near shore.

Be safe out there, yah only at Smokeys!!!
Happy Holidays!
Capt. Robert Claus
FinFanatic Charters
920-360-2904
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com
www.finfanatic.net

First and foremost, no ice is ever safe ice.
As of the writing of this report there are a few areas around Green Bay that have walkable ice. ALL of
those areas should be traversed with EXTREME CAUTION.
We were lucky enough to have a couple very cold days to firm up a few locations again and allow some
foot traffic. But the Christmas forecast looks to be an upswing into mild temperatures and some rain
and that once again will create even more danger zones. A location that is walkable ice today may not
be so come the end of the week so spud your way out every time and I cannot say this enough use
EXTREME CAUTION. With the major portion of Green Bay being open water anglers should also pay
very close attention to wind conditions if moving out along exposed shorelines. One wrong shift in wind
or current will send you a drift.
Some areas Anglers are walking out cautiously are Deadhorse Bay, University Bay around Joliet Park, the
Fox River by Voyager Park. A few cautious anglers ventured out on the ice out of Bayshore staying very
close to shore and the same at Volks landing. Also, Little Sturgeon Bay and Riley’s Bay have had some
cautious foot traffic. Anglers in University Bay are finding a few Whitefish and a few Walleye, both on
Jigging presentations and tip ups. Volks landing and Bayshore most action is Whitefish but catches are
not great. When fish are present Jigs with goby pattern plastics are the best for Whitefish. The Fox
River has seen both few Walleye and Whitefish being caught by anglers using jigging raps tipped with
minnows. Little Sturgeon and Riley’s Bay have both seen a few catches of Perch but again not heavy
action. Tip downs with minnows being the most productive presentation. Some Pike anglers have had
limited success with Tip ups suspending Large Golden Shiners a couple feet of the bottom.
Hopefully the next cold snap approaching after the new year will be here to stick around longer and firm
up more of Green Bay.
Also be advised that shipping traffic out on Green Bay does continue through the entire month of
January and can cause high potential for issues even near shore.

Smokeys on the Bay will be closed from December 28th until March 1st. See you for the spring walleye run. Captain Claus will continue his fishing reports and will will post them.

Yah, only at Smokeys!!!
Happy Holidays!
Capt. Robert Claus
FinFanatic Charters
920-360-2904
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com
www.finfanatic.net

First and foremost, no ice is ever safe ice.
I know a lot of folks are itching to get on ice, especially since we have had such mild winters as of late.
A couple cold snaps the last couple weeks surely got us started in the right direction, but with that said
extreme caution should be used on any of this early ice on Green Bay no matter what the location. You
should plan on limiting your travel to walking for your first adventures out. Just because you may see
other people never assume you can just head out onto that area. Check the ice yourself and use
caution. Use a spud bar and use it to work your way out \slowly, wear a life jacket or float suite, have
your ice picks ready, use the buddy system and let others know exactly where you are venturing out to.
As far as locations around Green Bay, there are reports of folks walking out by Joliet Park, and Volks.
Also reports of a few folks on the Fox river going into the weekend. ALL these locations should he
evaluated daily as we experienced some rain and a slight warm up the last couple days especially the
Fox River, there is more current than you may think.
If you are considering heading to the Green Bay to get your ice fish on, my advice is to wait for more
cold weather to really begin to firm things up. Even though the last few weeks did provide us with a
good start to making some ice no areas are in mid-winter form and should be all approached with
extreme caution. I can not over state that fact!
Many local inland waters also have seen ice from 3’-6” and are less dynamic than the Green Bay waters.
I suggest you explore with caution those fishing holes vs venturing out on Green Bay currently.
Also be advised that shipping traffic out on Green Bay does continue and can cause high potential for
issues even near shore.

Capt. Robert Claus
FinFanatic Charters
920-360-2904
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com
www.finfanatic.net

Its getting down to the last of the open water fishing. The last dock was pulled from the Green Bay
Metro ramp as of this morning. Yesterday anglers reported “icing” issues while out trying to squeeze in
one more Musky troll.
Walleye action on the Fox has still been reported as slow overall. The few anglers out report catching a
few fish dragging jig and minnow combinations along the channel edges upriver from Voyager Park to
Hwy 172. A few anglers casting hair jigs and jig and plastic combinations down by the paper mill also
reported a few fish caught. When the wind was not blowing the water out of the river making the levels
low guys casting cranks like Berkley hit sticks with a slower retrieve were catching some Walleye up at
the Dam in DePere.
Musky Trollers reported action slow with 0 -2 fish per outing with the dropping water and air temps this
last week.
Once we begin to get some ice formation around Green Bay we will continue the reports so lets hope
this cold spell hangs on and begins to lock things up.
If you go fishing, please be safe.
Brought to you by
Capt. Robert Claus Capt. Jerry Ruffolo
FinFanatic Charters Anglers Plus Guide Service
920-360-2904 920-973-2868
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com anglersplus@yahoo.com
www.finfanatic.net www.anglerspluswi.com