Steelhead fishing was a struggle for most anglers I encountered this past weekend. The Manitowoc River is still high and has a faster than normal flow to it in areas. The anglers I talked to who were fishing the Manitowoc River did not have any luck. There were two anglers dip netting for suckers at Cato Falls, but had no fish to show for when I stopped and talked to them. The branch river is still producing steelhead. The flow and water levels are perfect for fishing. The fish caught came on spawn. The docks are put in at the Manitowoc Marina, with boaters come in with mixed results. It seems most of the fish that were caught were south of Manitowoc. The East Twin River is producing a mixed bag of fish at the dam. Anglers have caught steelhead, northern pike, suckers, and smallmouth bass. Fish are being caught using multiple different tactics, including spoons, minnows, spawn, crankbait, and beads. Steelhead fishing at Shoto appears to have decreased compared to last week when talking to anglers, but fish are still be caught. Spawn sacs and spoons have been effective according to anglers. The docks are put in at Vets Park in Two Rivers. Seagull Marina docks are not put in yet, however the launch is still accessible.
Door County – Lakeside
The bay still has ice on it, however, it seems like the ice conditions are worsen by the day. When looking down on the bay from a higher vantage point your able to see all the pockets of open water. Anyone venturing out on the ice this late in the year needs to use extreme caution. There were no anglers found fishing while on creel this week.
Door County – Bayside
The bay still has ice on it, however, it seems like the ice conditions are worsen by the day. When looking down on the bay from a higher vantage point your able to see all the pockets of open water. Anyone venturing out on the ice this late in the year needs to use extreme caution. There were no anglers found fishing while on creel this week.
Door County – Sturgeon Bay Canal
The city of Sturgeon Bay put the docks in this week at Sawyer Harbor launch.
Fox River and Green Bay Creel Report: April 8, 2019
Fox River
Many boats on the Fox River this past weekend with a good catch reported by most anglers. Lots of walleye catches reported in mid-to-upper 20-inch size range. The fairgrounds and Fox Point both saw heavy traffic, while more anglers were seen utilizing the Metro launch even without the docks in. Catches reported the whole length of the river, with a few anglers reporting good luck on the Bay as well. River temps were around 38 all weekend.
Oconto County
Geano Beach: Ice is still present at the beach, however it may open up very soon.
Oconto River: Heavy fishing pressure at Stiles Dam downstream to Hwy. 141 bridge. Overall fishing for walleyes was slow. Only a few fish reported caught with accidental foul hooked fish reported also. Heavy fishing pressure also on the lower river. Full parking lots at the city dock and breakwall ramp on the lower Oconto River. Most anglers reporting slow fishing with minimal catches for walleyes. Some white suckers were reported caught at the mouth and in the Oconto River.
Oconto Parks: As of April 6th the Oconto Park II Ramp was unavailable because of ice, however the river mouths have open water with ice still present in the bay.
Brown County
Duck Creek, Longtail Point, Suamico River: Water is open, however no anglers were observed.
Marinette County
Peshtigo River: Peshtigo River had high fishing pressure at the boat landing on County Hwy. BB and the Municipal launch in Peshtigo. As of April 7th the boat landing at the mouth of the Peshtigo was unavailable because of ice. Lots of anglers fishing below the dam in Peshtigo. Overall fishing was slow for walleyes throughout the river with boat anglers doing slightly better by the Hwy. 41 bridge.
Menominee River: Menominee River had high fishing pressure also with many boat trailers at Stephenson Island, Mystery Ship, and Boom landings. The landings at Menekaunee Harbor, Menominee Lighthouse, 6th St. and Little River are still closed due to ice. Shore anglers were in high numbers on Stephenson Island, below Hattie St. dam, and on the Hattie St. bridge. Overall walleye fishing was a little better at the mouth of the Menominee but still slow. A few brown trout are being caught also mainly from Boom Landing upstream.
