FISHING REPORTS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 5TH, 2022

FISHING REPORTS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 5TH, 2022

MANITOWOC COUNTY

• Between the Manitowoc salmon derby and the holiday weekend, there was a high concentration of fishing pressure that hasn’t happened since the Two Rivers carp fest or the steelhead run. Boats launching out of Two Rivers and Manitowoc covered a large stretch of the lake shore; everywhere from the Point Beach nuclear plant to the south of Silver Creek was fished at varying depths. Surface temperatures vary from low 50s close to shore to high 50’s/low 60s in over 250ft of water. However, 30ft below the surface remained a consistent 45-46 degrees Fahrenheit. Half of the boats interviewed marked both bait and fish all along the water column, while the other half of anglers found neither. Kings and steelhead were the most consistently targeted and consistently caught fish, followed by lakers and the odd coho. Green-blue flasher-flies and orange spoons trolled at two mph seemed to have the most success.

KEWAUNEE COUNTY

• Kewaunee: Shore anglers were primarily going for trout and salmon, with some groups going for common carp and netting for alewife. One group had a bycatch of 40 round goby on the pier. Water clarity was poor at the start of the week, with its depth increasing throughout the weekend. Boater’s catch rates on trout and salmon improved on Saturday, with over half the boats bringing in at least one fish. The highest catch total for a group this week was 6 (3 chinook salmon, 2 rainbow trout and 1 lake trout). Depths of bites were around 30 to 60 ft deep, with boaters fishing in about 350 feet of water. Water temperatures ranged from 46 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average in the mid-50s. Lures of choice included flasher fly combos and Moonshine spoons.
• Algoma: From shore, anglers targeted yellow perch, smallmouth bass, bowfin and anything that bites. Species caught include bowfin, smallmouth bass and bullhead. Similar to Kewaunee, clarity increased as the week progressed. Boating pressure was low this week, with two groups going for chinook salmon and one group going for yellow perch. This low count was in part due to high waves from windy conditions. The water temperature was 51 degrees Fahrenheit on the surface. Some fish and baitballs were marked.

DOOR COUNTY

• Sturgeon Bay: The four main species fished from shore included smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch and rock bass, with bycatch of gobies and freshwater drum. Water clarity ranged from 2 to 3 feet, and a few fish were seen jumping on the surface. All interviewed boaters this week were going for walleye, with every group having bycatches of a freshwater drum. Water temperatures were set at a steady 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Northern Door/Lake Michigan: Salmon fishing has picked up for Door County anglers. One group fishing out of Bues Point caught five king salmon, the biggest was 20.5 pounds and the average was 17 pounds. They targeted 75-100 feet of water where the surface temperature was around 59 degrees Fahrenheit, and 45 degrees Fahrenheit was the lowest temperature they found deeper in the water. They aimed for 1.8-1.9 mph for their trolling speed and caught four of the salmon on flasher flies and one on an orange spoon. Anglers fishing out of Baileys Harbor also saw some success. One fishing party caught two king salmon shy of 8 pounds each and 3 rainbow trout around 2.5 pounds each. They targeted 150-200 feet of water, and surface temperatures ranged from 50-59 degrees Fahrenheit. They trolled at two mph and caught these fish on spoons. Rowleys Bay water temperatures ranged from 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit, and anglers caught some smallmouth bass on nightcrawlers, the average lengths being in the 12-14 inch range.
• Bay of Green Bay: Anglers fishing out of Sister Bay caught smallmouth bass in the 3-4 pound range on drop shots, and green goby was the hot color for them. They were fishing in 66 degrees Fahrenheit water, but strong winds cut their fishing trip short. Anglers fishing the piers of Sister Bay, Ephraim, and Peninsula State Park caught some smaller smallmouth bass around 8-10 inches on green spinners and nightcrawlers. Perch were caught on the Egg Harbor pier on nightcrawlers and minnows, with the biggest being nine inches, but most of the perch have been smaller than that.

FOX RIVER:

• Fox River Shore anglers: Shore anglers caught yellow perch, smallmouth bass, rock bass, white bass, white perch, sheepsheads, and round gobies. The yellow perch, rock bass, white bass, and round gobies were caught on nightcrawlers. The white perch were caught on flies. The sheepsheads were caught on both nightcrawlers and flies, and the smallmouth bass was caught on nightcrawlers, flies, and leaches.
• Fox River Boat anglers: Boat anglers on the Fox River reported catching yellow perch, catfish, sheepsheads, and rock bass on nightcrawlers. The perch that were kept averaged about 10 inches long. Boat anglers that went out onto the bay caught sheepsheads and white bass on crankbaits, most of which were flicker minnows. Chrome was reported to be a successful color this week. The water temperature was said to be 76 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit in the river and about 66 degrees Fahrenheit on the bay.

EAST SHORELINE OF GREEN BAY:

BOWN COUNTY

• Bayshore Park: There was moderate to heavy fishing activity observed this week. Boating anglers were targeting walleye and perch. The anglers that were targeting walleye had limited success overall. The anglers catching walleye successfully used crawler harnesses and jigs, fishing from 14 to 22 feet deep. The number of reported walleyes caught per boat ranged from zero to nine fish. The sizes of the walleye kept ranged from 15.5 to 25 inches long. Many walleye anglers reported unintentionally catching sheepshead/drum and white perch. The boating anglers that were targeting perch had limited success this week. The anglers that successfully caught perch were using live minnows and nightcrawlers fishing from 15 to 22 feet deep. The sizes of the perch kept ranged from 9.4 to 11.8 inches long. Limited shore anglers were observed, and no catches were reported from shore anglers. The reported water temperature was around 70 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the week.

DOOR COUNTY

• Chaudoir’s Dock: There was limited fishing activity observed at the beginning of the week. Later in the week, the fishing activity picked up. Boating anglers were targeting walleye and perch. Anglers targeting walleye had limited success. One boat was able to catch 10 walleyes jigging around 22 feet deep. Most anglers targeting walleye unintentionally caught sheepshead/drum and white perch. Boating anglers that were targeting perch had mixed success. Anglers successfully used nightcrawlers and minnows, fishing from around 18 to 25 feet deep. The number of reported perch caught per boat ranged from 0 to 35 fish. The reported water temperature was about 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Little Surgeon Bay: There was moderate fishing activity observed this week. Boating anglers were targeting smallmouth bass and perch. Boating anglers that were targeting smallmouth bass had some success using spy baits and swimbaits fishing from around 3 to 15 deep. The boating anglers targeting perch successfully used live minnows and nightcrawlers. The number of reported perch caught per boat ranged from 1 to 40 fish. The reported water temperature throughout the week was between 66 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Sawyer Harbor: There was moderate fishing activity observed most of the week. Boating anglers were targeting smallmouth bass, perch and panfish. The boating anglers targeting smallmouth bass had some success flyfishing and using plastic tubes fishing around 10 feet deep. The number of reported smallmouth bass caught per boat ranged from 1 to 2 fish. The boating anglers targeting perch successfully used live minnows and nightcrawlers. The number of reported perch caught per boat ranged from 6 to 20 fish. The sizes of the perch kept ranged from 8.8 to 11.8 inches long. Anglers had success catching a variety of panfish, including rock bass, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The panfish anglers had the most success using live worms and plastic jigs. Also, one angler caught 20 bluegills using a fly rod. The reported water temperature later in the week was around 67 degrees Fahrenheit.

WEST SHORELINE OF GREEN BAY:

BROWN COUNTY

• Suamico River: Shore anglers caught yellow perch, black crappies, and white perch on nightcrawlers. The boat anglers reported catching yellow perch, walleyes, sheepsheads, white bass, and round gobies on nightcrawlers and crawler harnesses, minnows, and crankbaits. They also caught black crappies and rock bass on minnows. They also reported catching catfish on nightcrawler harnesses. Purple was reported to be a successful color this week for the crankbaits. The walleyes reported were mostly caught in about 5 feet of water. The water temperature was reported to be between 63-69 degrees Fahrenheit. The yellow perch were mostly between 7 and 11 inches long, and the walleyes were 21 to 24 inches long.
• Duck Creek: Many watercraft using these boat launches this week were paddle sports crafts such as kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. The boat anglers that were interviewed reported catching sheepsheads on nightcrawlers.

OCONTO COUNTY

• Geano Beach: The yellow perch fishing seemed to get a bit better at this location this week, but the walleye fishing has still been pretty slow at all of the locations. Boat anglers reported catching yellow perch on crankbaits, nightcrawlers, nightcrawler harnesses and minnows. They also reported catching some walleyes, sheepsheads, white perch, and round gobies on crankbaits, nightcrawlers, and nightcrawler harnesses. There were also a few northern pikes caught this week on crankbaits. Purple and orange were reported to be the most successful colors at this location this week. The yellow perch were mostly caught in water about 8 to 9 feet deep. The water temperatures were reported to range from 64-67 degrees Fahrenheit. The Walleyes caught by the anglers were reported to be mostly between 17 and 19 inches. The yellow perch were reported to mostly be between 10 and 14 inches, and the northern pike was reported to be between 32 and 36 inches long.
• Fishing activity was a bit higher this week, with higher numbers of trailers seen at the boat launches. Popular areas were in water depths of 10 to 12 feet and 3 to 4 feet where weeds were located. Both perch and walleyes were being caught together in the same locations. Casting shiver minnows were working well on the walleyes.

MARINETTE COUNTY

• Anglers were having some luck catching walleyes this week on the Menominee River. The best action was coming upstream from the Highway 41 bridge, and while fishing the last couple of hours of daylight and into the night. Trolling small rapalas and crankbaits was working best. Sheepshead and white perch were caught throughout the river during the day. Walleye fishing on the Peshtigo was a little better this week. Jigs and crawlers and harnesses were catching a few fish as well as lots of sheepsheads.

KENOSHA COUNTY

• No report is available this week. Please check back again for more up-to-date information. Thank you.

RACINE COUNTY

• No report is available this week. Please check back again for more up-to-date information. Thank you.

MILWAUKEE COUNTY

• No report is available this week. Please check back again for more up-to-date information. Thank you.

OZAUKEE COUNTY

• Port Washington harbor and piers: Brown trout were caught this week near Rotary Park using spawn and other live bait such as nightcrawlers and alewives. Anglers on the North Pier also caught brown trout with panther martin lures. Other popular baits anglers include cleos, spoons, spinners, and jigs. Water temperatures averaged between 58-60 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Port Washington Ramp: There were good catches of coho and Chinook salmon this week, along with some rainbow and lake trout. This week, the largest Chinook documented in the creel weighed 20 pounds and was 36.25 inches long. This week, the largest coho recorded in the creel weighed 9.9 pounds and was 27.5 inches long. Boat anglers reported success fishing 10-60 feet down over depths between 25 and 260 feet north of town. Successful anglers mainly used green and blue flies, spoons, and dodgers with some success with orange and purple spoons, chrome flashers, and spin & glows.

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY

• Sheboygan Harbor and Piers: Some anglers reported catching yellow perch along the Deland shoreline using nightcrawlers. Due to ongoing construction on the south pier, there was a noticeable decline in angler number fishing there this week. There were reports of brown trout being caught on yellow tiger stripe spoons if they were kept high in the water column. Water temperatures ranged from 52-54 degrees Fahrenheit this week.
• Sheboygan Ramps:  Earlier this week, there were good catches of chinook and coho salmon, with some reports of lake trout and rainbow trout (steelhead) caught as well. The successful anglers worked the top 30-60 feet of water out of over 135-300 feet. Blue and green flashers worked well this week, and a spoon called ‘broken taillight.’  Anglers catching rainbow trout (steelhead) fished depths of 100-300 feet using green flashers and spoons in moonshine, orange crush, and salmon candy. Throughout Independence Day weekend, fish became more scattered, and there was noticeable randomization in successful depths and lure choices.