I have been getting lots of questions about how the ice will hold up with this warmup. The short answer
is I am not 100% sure and Mother Nature only knows, but based on our current ice thickness and
conditions I don’t suspect we will suffer much damage to the ice with this warmup other than the
landings or areas where a crack might be present. Overall, right now ice conditions remain great all-over
Green Bay but please remember to stay vigilant and always use caution!
One location to really use more caution would be walking out onto the Fox River. The warmer days can
increase current and cause ice erosion that will not be very noticeable. Reports have not changed much
from the Fox with lots of the 2025 spring young Walleye being around. A few better fish are reported
every week. Jigging Raps tipped with a shiner head or Jig/Minnow combos have been the best.
Perch action along the West shore in Deadhorse, Suamico and Geanos and Oconto area continue to be
very good. Box Tip Ups have dominated the catches with Tip Downs being a close second. Spreading
out your lines has been key to covering more area to catch the schools moving around. Small shiners
and Rosie Reds are still the best baits.
Whitefish action on the east shore around Red River and Sugar continue to be fair at best. Jigs and
plastics or Lindy Slick jigs tipped with minnow tails leading the way for tactics.
Perch action up around Little Sturgeon and surrounding areas has slowed a bit. Guys willing to fish areas
away from the groups have reported some success. Tip downs and box tip ups with small shiners or
rosie reds continue to be the most productive method. Jigging small spoons tipped with minnow heads
or waxies when schools of fish show up has also worked well in those areas. The size of the fish has
been good quality all over Green Bay. Please consider releasing all those 12” or bigger fish if you can.
Whitefish action on Larsons reef slowed this past week and anglers needed to stay more diligent and
focused in their jigging tactics to get fish to bite. ¼ oz jigs like slick jigs and plastic tails like Keitech Easy
shiners or Keitech Swing Impact Fats in a 2-4 length continue to dominate the catches Don’t be afraid to
move up shallower than 40 feet at times looking for active fish especially in less pressured areas. We
have had a robust bite off in 80’-90’ at times and also in 40’-50’ even on the same day. The best advice
is set up far away from others and travel routs to keep fish from getting spooky. The feeding windows
have become very focused so if you get bit stay focused on your cadence and watch your rod ti for
subtle changes and set the hook with something feels different.
If you are out targeting Whitefish, please consider releasing all fish under 16” to 17”. It takes several
years for a female to reach maturity to be able to effectively reproduce. Keeping fish under that 17”
mark increases the chances you are keeping an immature female before she has a change to give back
to the population at least once. Smokeys will reopen 3/2/26, Yah!!!
Remember to take a kid fishing
Brought to you by
Capt. Robert Claus
FinFanatic Charters
920-360-2904
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com
