DNR Sport Fishing Outdoor Report For 8-15-2018

Manitowoc Co.

  • Manitowoc Ramp – The west winds that were forecasted for last week happened and the water temps have cooled down. Surface temps are still in the lower 70s, however, once you get 40 feet down the water temp is in the mid 50’s. There were multiple reports of water temps in the upper 40’s 75 feet down. Overall the fishing has picked up compared to last week. Boats are still coming in with two to three fish on a trip, but the number of boats that have fish increased compared to the recent weeks. Flasher flies seemed to work best for producing chinooks throughout the week. Covering a wide range in the water column was the best way to produce fish as they are still scattered throughout.
  • Manitowoc Shore, Piers, and Harbor – The anglers that fish the pier daily were finally rewarded this weekend with three chinooks and a rainbow being caught in one morning. Water temps cooled down for a couple hours Saturday morning and the fish moved in with some being caught. However, as the day progressed the cool water was replaced by warm water and there hasn’t been any salmon or trout caught as of late. Anglers fishing in the harbor had success fishing for northern pike casting spoons. Smallmouth bass were active as well.
  • Two Rivers Ramp – Anglers going out on Lake Michigan were finally able to find fish on a regular basis, although the average catch was still three fish per boat. There were more boats coming in with fish compared to the last few weeks. There is no pattern to the fishing right now as the water temp is still in the 70’s on the surface and in the 50’s once you get down 40 feet or so. Fish were caught anywhere from 75 feet down on downriggers to high lines. Flasher flies seemed to be the ticket yet with some hits on spoons. Chinooks were coming to the cleaning station the most often followed by rainbows. Most of the fish that came in were under 15 pounds, but occasionally there would be a 25-pounder mixed in.
  • Two Rivers Shore, Pier, and Harbor – The anglers fishing on the Two Rivers pier weren’t as lucky as the anglers in Manitowoc this week as there were no salmon or trout caught this week. Carp are still being caught while casting for salmon and trout. Also, smallmouth bass are caught occasionally. Bullheads are still being caught in the harbor. The size of the bullheads is still on the smaller size as they average six inches.

Kewaunee Co.

  • Kewaunee Ramp – Fishing pressure was heavy for the majority of the week and into the weekend. Anglers were catching rainbow trout and king salmon along with lake trout and brown trout. The catch rate remained low. Chinook was reported to be out in 110-180ft of water and down 40ft with water temperature at the surface staying around 70°F. Folks were getting brown trout closer to 50ft of water with the surface temperature reported at 67°F. Good luck was had with kings using red and white spoons.
  • Kewaunee Shore & Piers – There was heavy fishing pressure at the pier this week. Smallmouth bass and brown trout were spotted along the southside of the pier. Water temperature increased from around 62°F early in the weekend to 69°F. There was light fishing pressure along the shore this week. Most of the catches were freshwater drum though an occasional brown trout was caught.
  • Algoma Ramp – There was heavy fishing pressure this weekend due to Shanty Days and folks were coming back with large rainbows and kings along with a few lake trout and some brown trout. Water temperature was reported to be 70°F in 100-150ft of water and the thermocline held at 42°F 50ft down. It was 66°F near the ramp. Wind conditions remained fairly stagnant throughout the weekend.
  • Algoma Shore and Pier – Anglers out at Olson park were catching small largemouth bass on nightcrawlers while reports of yellow perch have increased as well.

Green Bay Fishing Report: August 15, 2018

Oconto County

  • Oconto Park II – Fishing pressure increased at the Oconto Park II area this week. Anglers were reporting success catching some perch, smallmouth bass, and walleye over the weekend. Anglers were having success catching perch using nightcrawlers at water depths between 5 and 10ft. Anglers were having success catching walleye using nightcrawlers water depths between 10 and 15ft.
  • Oconto Breakwater and Harbor Area – Anglers on the pier were having some success catching catfish, northern pike, perch, and smallmouth bass this week. The Oconto Breakwater Harbor had high fishing pressure by anglers using the boat launch Anglers using the boat launch were reporting success catching channel catfish, northern pike, perch, smallmouth bass, and walleye.
  • Oconto River – A lot of anglers were out this weekend on the lower Oconto river. Anglers had decent success catching walleye. Anglers were having the most luck catching walleye using plastic nightcrawlers at depths of 10 – 15ft. Over the past weekend, the water temperature for the Oconto river ranged from 73 – 81°F.
    • Municipal Boat Ramp – Good fishing pressure was observed at the Oconto Municipal boat ramp this week.
    • Holtwood Park Ramp – Very low fishing pressure was observed at the Holtwood Park Boat Ramp in Oconto this past week.
    • North River Road Ramp – Very low fishing pressure was observed at the North River Road Boat Ramp this week.
    • Stiles Dam & Iron Bridge Area – Fishing pressure has remained low over the past week. Fishing success had decreased over the past couple of weeks. Anglers were having occasional success catching rock bass or bluegill this week.
  • Pensaukee River Boat Ramp – High fishing pressure was observed at the Pensaukee river boat ramp this week. Anglers were reporting success catching catfish, northern pike, perch, and walleye.
  • Geano’s Beach – Very high numbers of boaters filled the launch this week, over 80 trailers Saturday morning, with most after walleyes. Most anglers experienced high catch rates of walleyes, 2-4 per person, although it’s been a little slower than it has been in previous weeks. Many reported catching numerous freshwater drum, catfish and an occasional northern pike. Musky anglers reported only boating 1 musky with only a couple follow ups after being out for several hours.

Marinette County – Menomonee River

  • Menominee River – This week anglers were having the most luck catching walleye using nightcrawlers at depths of 10 – 15ft. The water temperatures on the Menominee averaged about 72 – 74°F over this past week.
    • Boom Landing Ramp – Fishing pressure remained decent over the past week. Some anglers were having success catching rock bass, walleye, and smallmouth bass.
    • Mystery Ship Ramp (Menominee, MI) – Fishing pressure was lower over the past week. Anglers were having some success catching catfish, smallmouth bass, and walleye.
    • Ann Arbor Ramp – Good numbers of anglers were out this past week. Some anglers were having some success catching brown trout this week.
    • Stephenson Island – Fishing pressure was low over the past week.
  • Menekaunee Harbor – Anglers reported having success catching brown trout, northern pike and walleye this week.
  • Little River Area – Good fishing pressure was observed at the little River Ramp this week. Some perch were being caught along the shore using nightcrawlers. Brown trout were being caught trolling using spoon rigs at water depths between 50 – 60 ft.
  • Peshtigo River – Overall, low fishing pressure was observed on the Peshtigo River this past week. The water temperatures ranged from 75 – 78°F over the weekend.
    • Peshtigo Dam Area – Fishing pressure is low along at the Peshtigo dam area. Some anglers were having luck catching rock bass using nightcrawlers up by the dam.
    • Peshtigo Municipal Garage Ramp – Fishing pressure has very low this week.
    • Klingsborn’s Ramp (5 mi down CTY RD BB outside Peshtigo) – decent fishing pressure was observed at the Peshtigo river mouth ramp over the last week. Anglers were having success catching catfish, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and walleye this week.
    • Peshtigo River Mouth (at the end of Harbor Rd in Peshtigo Harbor Wildlife Area) – Fishing pressure remained steady over the past week. Anglers were having success catching northern pike and walleye using nightcrawlers this week.

Green Bay/Fox River

  • Metro Boat Launch – Low numbers of trailers were recorded with most being leisure boaters. Those that were fishing reported slow fishing with only a few walleyes being caught and a couple harvested per person. No interviews were taken of muskie anglers. No shore anglers were interviewed.
  • Fox Point/Fairgrounds – There were very few trailers, no interviews were taken of anglers.
  • Voyager Park – Low number of anglers were out this week; no interviews were taken of anglers.
  • Duck Creek – A few boaters were out with only a few yellow perch being harvested and a couple catfish.

Brown County

  • Bayshore – The walleye bite continues to be very strong with many nice fish being caught. Out of all the walleye anglers interviewed over the past week only a few boats didn’t harvest any fish for half a day out on the water. The average haul was 3-7 fish with harvest around 4-5. Sizes of fish harvested ranged from 16 inches to the mid 20’s. Baits still vary a bit, but most boats were trolling with either crank baits or crawler harnesses. Despite the popularity of trolling some boats tried jigging with minnows and found decent success. Yellow perch fishing is slowly starting to pick up with a few anglers catching 10 perch for a few hours out. The fish that were measured had lengths that ranged from 6-10 inches. Numbers weren’t amazing, but they were far better than previous weeks. The most popular bait seemed to be the jig head and minnow. The parking lot was at least half full during the week and completely full during the weekend.
  • Suamico – High numbers of boaters were out this week filling the extra boat launch parking area. The walleye bite was reported to be slow with most anglers harvesting only 1-2 per person. Anglers reported using flicker shad green in color and motored north near Geano’s Beach. Most anglers reported catching numerous freshwater drum and large catfish. No muskie anglers were interviewed.

Door County

  • Northern Door County, Green Bay Side – Smallmouth action has been good. All the piers and harbors from Murphy park north to Gills Rock have been producing good numbers of bass for those fishing with crawlers, leeches and plastics. The majority of fish are small but bigger fish can be caught by fishing early in the morning and just before dark. Boat anglers are also doing well finding groups of fish off shore. Walleye anglers are not having any success. Perch fishing has been very inconsistent.
  • Northern Door County, Lake Michigan Side – Bass fishing off the pier at Rowleys Bay has been similar to that on the Green Bay piers. Salmon fishermen out of Gills Rock have not had much luck. The best action in the county has been out of Baileys Harbor. Fishing the upper 50ft of the water column has been productive for both kings and rainbows. Anglers are reporting numbers of baitfish and feeding fish. Catches range from 3-7 fish being a mix of kings and rainbows.
  • Chaudior’s Dock – Walleye anglers continue to find consistent catches out of Chaudior’s Dock. Catches ranged from 2 to 25 fish with a few boats catching their limit. Fish that were measured had lengths from 15 to 21 inches. While trolling for walleyes a couple boats also caught a few bonus yellow perch for the cooler. Only a few yellow perch anglers were out over the past week but those that put in some time found decent success. The average catch was 10 fish for a few hours out on the water. While out anglers also caught plenty of freshwater drum, a few catfish, some white perch, and a couple of round gobies. At its busiest time there were 17 trailers in the parking lot.
  • Little Sturgeon/Sawyer Harbor – Pressure was low over the past week, but a few walleye anglers did land some nice fish. The fish that made it to the measuring board had lengths that ranged from 18-27 inches. There were also a few yellow perch anglers out that found a few fish for the cooler. Catches ranged from 6-12 fish for a few hours out on the water. While out anglers also caught freshwater drum, white bass, white perch, catfish, and round goby. Little Sturgeon had less than 10 trailers in it on the days that were surveyed. Sawyer harbor was right around the same with an average of seven trailers on the days that were surveyed.

Sturgeon Bay

  • Sturgeon Bay City Shore – There was low fishing pressure this week. Anglers were out with a few reports of smallmouth bass and perch. Good luck was had using nightcrawlers and leeches.
  • Sturgeon Bay Ramp – Many folks came back with smallmouth bass and walleye. Consistent success on large yellow perch as well was had in the canal for anglers with water temperature reported to be 78-80°F on the surface. Out past the canal folks were coming back with chinook in 150-200ft of water. The water temperature was reported to be 68°F in 200ft of water and 42°F 50ft down.
  • Bay View Park – A few anglers were out for smallmouth bass this week though luck was limited. Fishing pressure was low.
  • Sunset Park Ramp – Folks were coming back with some yellow perch this week. Fishing pressure was relatively low. Water temperature was reported to be 75-78°F at the surface.
  • Stone Quarry Ramp – Many large smallmouth bass were being caught along with loads of freshwater drum. Angler were also catching some 12-13” perch. Water was reported to be around 75°F at the surface near the ramp. Good luck was had using jerk bait for smallies along with tubes and live minnows.
  • Stone Quarry Shore – There was a moderate amount of smallmouth bass catches along with an increase in yellow perch and rockbass along the breakwall. Good luck was had using soft plastics and worms.