LAKE KOSHKONONG
The spider-web concept is just one epiphany that has been stumbled over in more than 30 years of chasing walleyes through the ice.

Credit the Beloit chapter of Rock Valley Anglers for coming up with this idea. The winter “clubhouse” was a massive ice shack on Lake Koshkonong with a revolving red light on top to enable anglers to find their way back in darkness and fog. I was enlightened regarding the day-bite walleye concept on Kosh in the winter of 1987. This 10,400-acre lake straddling the Jefferson-Rock County line gave up more big walleyes than anyone can remember -- until today. Koshkonong has a maximum depth of 6 feet. Back in ‘87, all you had to do was poke a hole and put two crappie minnows on a No. 8 treble below a tip-up with the bait suspended maybe 8 inches off the bottom.

It has taken Department of Natural Resources biologist Don Bush since ‘87 to bring this fishery back into balance. Big walleyes are swimming here again in substantial numbers, bolstered by at least four smaller year-classes of adult fish.

Access is possible from multiple points around Kosh. Charley Bluff on the lake’s south side is probably the best place to get on, but I like getting on the ice off Blackhawk Island on the east end after stopping by Riverfront Resort for a big bowl of chili and a fishing report. You can call them at (920) 563-2757 to see how the bite is going before heading out, but you should really try the chili first.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Tailwaters of several Mississippi River dams offer good day-bite action for a bag that is mostly saugers once winter has arrived in earnest.

Although anglers who fish here routinely fill the six-fish limit allowed on the river in an hour or so, I refuse to fish here because of the strong current flowing under ice of dubious quality. If the thought of drowning doesn’t concern you, grab a rod spooled with 8-pound-test Berkley FireLine Ice Line and a couple blue/chrome No. 7 Jigging Rapalas and wear a PFD.

Cap’n Hook’s Bait & Tackle in Genoa is a good source of information at (608) 689-2800. Bob’s Bait on French Island upstream near La Crosse is another good contact at (608) 782-5552.

FOX RIVER
Another tailwater bite worth checking out is below the Fox River dam at De Pere just out from Voyageur Park.

NAPA pro Pat Cavins likes to hang bait below two tip-ups just off the bottom and jig a third line with a blade bait. Because the current is so strong, Cavins fishes a 25-inch leader with a shiner hooked through the lips on a single No. 6 hook behind a 1- to 2-ounce egg-sinker stopped by a swivel. Don’t be surprised if a massive catfish stumbles into your bait.

Cavins also likes to hit the day-bite for walleyes at the mouth of Green Bay where the Fox River dumps in seven miles below the dam in De Pere. Access is pretty easy. Just walk out from the boat launch parking lot 50 feet and set your boards.