Battle on Bago: Our Ice Fishing Tradition in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Battle on Bago 2025
Location: Lake Winnebago System
City: Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Event: Battle on Bago Ice Fishing Tournament
Target Species: Walleye & White Bass
What is Battle on Bago?
Battle on Bago (or “BOB,” as most anglers call it) is a massive ice fishing tournament held on the Lake Winnebago system in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The event was started in 2007 by the Oshkosh Rotary Club to raise money for youth outdoor programs and conservation efforts.
Since then, it has grown into a full-blown winter fishing festival that awards some huge prizes — including trucks, boats, and piles of gear.
Yes… an actual truck.
And the best part? The tournament has donated millions of dollars back to Wisconsin communities and conservation programs over the years, while also donating fresh fish fillets to local causes.
Fishing, prizes, and helping the community… hard to beat that combination.
Why Oshkosh Is Perfect for Battle on Bago
Oshkosh sits right on Lake Winnebago, making it the perfect home base for Battle on Bago. During tournament weekend, the entire city feels like it’s buzzing with anglers.
Restaurants are packed with people telling fish stories. Bait shops are busy. Gas stations are full of trucks pulling UTVs and ATVs. It’s a huge event that brings loads of tourism dollars to the surrounding area.
The Winnebago system is legendary for:
Walleye
Perch
White bass
Massive ice fishing opportunities
And Battle on Bago showcases all of it.
A few stops I’d highly recommend if you’re in the area:
The Roxy Supper Club for a steak
Leon’s for an Avalanche
Menominee Park to check out the tent which is always bumping with music and games
Where You Can Fish During Battle on Bago
One of the coolest parts about Battle on Bago is that anglers can fish the entire Winnebago system, including:
Lake Winnebago
Lake Poygan
Lake Butte des Morts
Lake Winneconne
Picking which lake to start on can be quite the battle and makes tournament strategy half the fun (and half the headache).
Some years you guess right.
Some years you don’t.
That’s tournament fishing.
The Rules (Quick Version)
Battle on Bago has evolved over the years to protect fish populations and keep things fair.
Registrable fish include:
Walleye: 14–18 inches or 22+ inches
Panfish: perch, bluegill, crappie (8-inch minimum)
White bass: 8-inch minimum
Weigh-ins happen at Menominee Park in Oshkosh, and trust me — getting there early is always the move.
One thing I love about this tournament is the prize structure. After the top placements, prizes are awarded every five places (15th, 20th, 25th, etc.). Many of the biggest prizes are deeper in the standings, which makes cheating basically pointless.
It keeps the event fun, fair, and exciting for everyone.
How to Fish the Winnebago System During Battle on Bago
If I could give one piece of advice for fishing Battle on Bago, it would be this:
Don’t get emotionally attached to a fishing spot.
Mobility wins tournaments on the Winnebago system.
Drill holes.
Check electronics.
Move again.
Repeat.
We’ve learned that lesson many times since fishing our first Battle on Bago in 2013. Some years you find fish quickly. Other years you grind all day before seeing activity.
One year, Trevor and I debated between Lake Winnebago and Lake Poygan before finally deciding on Poygan. We spent most of the afternoon moving before finally marking fish late in the day and it turned into one of our best evening bites of the season.
Sometimes persistence pays off.
My Go-To Battle on Bago Lures
Every year I get asked what I use during Battle on Bago. The truth is, it changes depending on fish mood and conditions — but a few lures consistently make the starting lineup.
My Battle on Bago confidence baits:
Gold hammered Swedish Pimple tipped with red spikes
Northland Buck-shot Rattle spoons (bare) 1/16 oz
Rapala Ice Jigging Rap (Clown) size 2 or 3
Nothing fancy — just reliable fish-catchers.
The real key isn’t the lure, it’s finding fish. Once that’s accomplished, I generally throw my entire tackle box at them to see what sticks.
Ice Safety (Especially This Year)
This last week of weather has really wreaked havoc on the landings, and the impending rain is only going to make things worse.
My best advice:
Check ice often.
Travel smart.
Fish with others.
No fish — and definitely no truck prize — is worth risking safety.
Why Battle on Bago Keeps Us Coming Back
Even after more than a decade of fishing Battle on Bago, it’s still something Trevor and I look forward to every winter.
It’s not just about catching fish or winning prizes. It’s about tradition, community, and being part of something bigger than a fishing tournament. Battle on Bago is one of those events that reminds you why you love ice fishing in Wisconsin — and why I’m so grateful to call it home.
Tight lines and good luck out there.
I’ll see you on the ice.
For more information about Battle on Bago, visit
battleonbago.org
To plan a trip to Oshkosh, visit
visitoshkosh.com
