About Fishing Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is the most frequently visited water in Wisconsin. It’s easy to see why – whether by boat or onshore, a fishing pole will bring you some of the state’s best and most diverse fishing, not to mention picturesque views.
With millions of fish stocked annually to keep populations healthy, there’s a good chance there will be a bite on your line.
As a reminder, anglers must carry a paper copy of their license/stamps while fishing on the waters of Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and the WI/MI, WI/MN and WI/IA boundary waters.
MANITOWOC COUNTY
- Two Rivers: Two Rivers ramps had the most fishing pressure overall with several boats having success. Several species were caught including one 8.3 lb. rainbow trout. Boat anglers had success using a variety of lures such as spoons, flasher flies and dipsy diver combos. The most common colorations were blue, orange, and green. Fish were biting anywhere from the top 20 feet to 50 feet down in 80 feet+ water. Water conditions ranged from glassy to 6-foot waves, with many anglers staying in close to fish. Water temperature ranged from 40 degrees to 64 degrees depending on location and depth. In the Two Rivers harbor several bullheads were caught using worms and a few creek chubs were caught via dipnet.
- Manitowoc: Manitowoc ramp this week had the most fishing pressure overall with many boats having success. Many trout and salmon were caught this week including rainbow trout ranging from 4 lbs. to 9 lbs. and lake trout ranging from 4.5 lbs. to 9 lbs. A few chinook and coho salmon were also caught with one coho salmon weighing 2.6 lbs. Many anglers were successful using spoons and flasher flies of varying color with one successful group using meat rigs. However, the most common colors this week were orange, blue, and green. Fish were biting anywhere from 12 ft to 60 ft down in 75 ft+ water. Water conditions ranged from glassy to 3-foot waves. Temperature ranged from 47 degrees to 62 degrees depending on location and depth. Lastly, boat anglers reported seeing several bait balls on their radars this week. At the Manitowoc harbor two smallmouth bass were caught using a pink/grey swimbait. Additionally, one carp was caught using worms in the Manitowoc harbor as well.
KEWAUNEE COUNTY
- Algoma: Anglers interviewed reported surface temperatures between 56-58°F. Trout and salmon were being caught using blue/green flasher fly combos with orange spoons. The best water depths this week were 50-80 feet with other anglers also reporting success in 120 feet. Not many balls of bait were reported this week by anglers.
- Kewaunee: Surface temperature reported this week was 60°F. Anglers reporting catching trout and salmon using blue/green flash fly combos and orange spoons. The fish were biting 20-30 feet down in 130-180 feet of water.
- As spring changed to summer on the calendar this past week, Big Lake trollers continued to tie into a variety of trout and salmon species. Some of the best action early and late in the day was in 80 to 180 feet of water, from near-surface to 60 feet down at dawn. After the sun was higher, 25 to 75 feet down seemed to be the sweet spot for many. Some anglers had success deeper during the midday hours, from 60 to 110 feet down. Midday trollers who ventured deep on calm, sunny days said the 200- to 400-foot depths have been good for mixed bags dominated by steelhead in the top 50 feet and an occasional trout or salmon 50 to 100 feet down. The bulk of the action has been coming on spoons and flasher/fly combos run off leadcore line, Dipsy Divers and downriggers. The catch this past week was roughly 90 percent chinooks and steelhead, and 10 percent coho and lake trout. The catches included a 25-pound brown trout and a 20-1/2-pound steelhead caught by a charter out of Algoma. One evening fishing outing produced 9 fish and included 4 different species.
River anglers tossing live bait continue to find mixed bags of everything from bass, bowfin and bullheads to carp, catfish and crappie. Some pike and perch are also being hooked on the Ahnapee and Kewaunee systems.
DOOR COUNTY
- On Lake Michigan anglers were getting 58-63°F surface water temperature. Green spoons seemed to be the best presentation while trolling in 200 feet of water. Anglers interviewed caught a few chinook salmon, and one of those chinook salmon measured at 39-inches and 24-pounds! Chrome colored spoons and blue/green flasher fly combos were some of the most popular presentations.
- Calm waters and good water clarity down to 5 feet were observed on the Bay of Green Bay. Anglers were catching smallmouth bass and freshwater drum. Those fishermen were using drop shop worms and tube jigs. Shore anglers at Sunset Park were using nightcrawlers for bait and were fishing for yellow perch.
NORTHERN DOOR COUNTY LAKESIDE
- Low fishing activity was reported around Door County Lake Michigan. Temperatures have decreased from the past week and were recorded between 49 to 62 degrees Fahrenheit depending on distance from the shore. Water visibility greatly ranged, from as low as 3 feet and upwards to 15 feet. Lower visibility occurred after strong winds and thunderstorms.
- A couple boating anglers targeting smallmouth bass with soft plastics were interviewed from Rowley’s Bay and Bues Point. Anglers used a mixture of soft tube baits and hard plastic swim baits in a variety of colors.
- A variety of salmon and trout were caught out of Baileys Harbor. Most anglers are averaging between 3 to 5 fish each. Trout and salmon are being caught in about 120 feet of water with line down between 50 to 80 feet deep. Spoons that are half silver paired with a secondary color such as green or blue are being used. Brown trout were recorded between 25 to 38 inches in length and 7.2 to 22.6 pounds. Chinook salmon were recorded between 13 to 28 inches and 2.2 to 10.7 pounds. Coho salmon were averaging 18 inches and 2.7 pounds.
- Yellow perch were sighted in and around the piers and marinas. A few shore anglers that targeted yellow perch and other panfish with live nightcrawlers were interviewed at Rowley’s Bay.
NORTHERN DOOR COUNTY BAYSIDE
- Fishing pressure in northern Door County along Green Bay averaged between 8 to 12 boat anglers at each ramp. Few shore anglers were present. Water temperatures ranged between 62 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Water visibility remained relatively consistent throughout the week, ranging between 10 to 20 feet depending on location. Northern locations exhibited higher visibility.
- Smallmouth bass were being caught in Egg Harbor, Ephraim and along Peninsula State Park. Bass are primarily being caught with soft plastic baits, usually naturally colored. Orange or yellow baits have also been successful catching bass. A few anglers reported catching bass using small swimbaits of various colors. Bass being caught range in size from 13 to 17 inches.
- Low panfish activity was reported this week. While yellow perch, rock bass and other panfish were sighted along the shore, most fish showed no interest in feeding. A single yellow perch was caught in Egg Harbor using a live worm and bobber. A couple rock bass were caught either with a live worm or small worm plastics
FOX RIVER & METRO BOAT LAUNCH
- Shore anglers have reported catching rock bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, catfish, carp, bullheads, gobies, white perch, white bass, and sheepshead with most of their success being on worms and minnows. Boat anglers have reported catching walleyes, yellow perch, carp, catfish, and sheepsheads on crawler harnesses, blades, and crankbaits. Fly fishermen had success catching smallmouth bass, catfish, carp, white bass, and sheepshead.
- Metro Boat Launch: Boat anglers have reported catching walleyes, smallmouth bass, white bass, catfish, and sheepsheads on a mixture of flicker shads and crankbaits, worms, minnows, and leeches. Water temperatures were reported to be around 76 degrees Fahrenheit.
GREEN BAY
EAST SHORELINE OF GREEN BAY:
- Success on bluegill, rock bass, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass were reported out of Sawyer Harbor this week from Potawatomi State Park by boaters. Smallmouth bass were reported being caught at a depth of 10 feet using plastic lures.
- Success on smallmouth bass, yellow perch, walleye, sunfish, and rock bass were reported from Little Sturgeon Bay out of Robert M. Carmody County Park Boat Launch by boaters. Smallmouth bass were reported being caught in 8-9 feet of water with dropshots. Rock bass, yellow perch, and sunfish were reported being caught with night crawlers, minnows, and leeches. One angler had success on walleye using artificial baits.
- At Chaudoir’s Dock a boater reported success on yellow perch and white perch using minnows and night crawlers.
- At Bayshore County park one boater reported success on walleye averaging 16-17inches at water dpeths of 14-20 feet using crawler harnesses. Success on white bass, white perch, and channel catfish were also reported using various baits.
WEST SHORELINE OF GREEN BAY:
- Long Tail Point: These boat launches were not very busy. Most of the vehicles using these locations are there for recreational purposes.
- Suamico River: Shore anglers reported catching yellow perch, rock bass, and bullheads using worms and minnows. Boat anglers have reported catching yellow perch, walleyes, white perch, northern pikes, and sheepsheads on crawler harnesses, crankbaits and jigs. The water temperatures on the bay near the Suamico River were reported to be in the lower to mid-70 degrees Fahrenheit range.
- Geano Beach: Boat anglers have had success catching walleye, yellow perch, and sheepshead on crawler harnesses and jigs.
MARINETTE COUNTY
- Angling effort remains low on the Menominee River. Anglers that were out were targeting catfish by the dam with limited success. Shore anglers were catching panfish by Mystery Ship and Six Street boat launches on crawlers.
- Yellow perch anglers on the Peshtigo River reported good to excellent fishing this week. Perch in the 8 to 12 inch size were common along with a few catches of sunfish, catfish, sheepshead, and bowfin. Crawlers fished below bobbers or fishing on the bottom were working for all species. Anglers were seen throughout the lower river from the launch off Hwy. BB out to the river mouth. Backwater areas, channel edges, and areas off Pond Rd. and Johnson Rd. were all producing fish
OCONTO COUNTY
- Bad weather affected the angling opportunities Saturday morning in Oconto. Several boats were seen sitting in the parking lots waiting for the storms to pass. Some of the anglers reported seeing an increase in numbers of walleyes earlier in the week. Average size was between 12 to 18 inches with most caught being under the 15 inch size limit. Jigs with crawlers and shiver minnows were popular baits.