Fall Shore Fishing Close to Home - Milwaukee

A Wild Ride

Learn about the new machine that "fin clips" salmon fingerlings. Watch now »

The fish are running...are you? With 50 places to fish within 60 minutes of Milwaukee, it's time to get started!

50 Places Within 60 Minutes of Milwaukee

Interested in a new spot to fish? Look no further!

Milwaukee Fall Fishing Brochure [PDF 431KB]
Download and print this pocket-size brochure complete with fishing locations, directions, distance and driving time from downtown Milwaukee and the dominant fish species.
To request a hard copy, email Cheryl.Masterson@Wisconsin.gov with your name and mailing address.

Fall Fishing Google Map
Get driving directions, fish species, and a picture of the fishing location with the Fall Fishing Google Map.

What Might You Catch?

• Coho salmon [PDF 147KB]
• Chinook salmon [PDF 147KB]
• Steelhead [PDF 147KB]
• Brown trout [PDF 147KB]
• Walleye
• Largemouth bass [PDF 147KB]
• Smallmouth bass

Not Sure What Gear To Use?

Get equipped by reeling in this gear before you go:

• Rod: 8 to 11 feet long, medium to heavy action.
• Reel: Medium-sized spinning reel with good drag system.
• Line: 8- to 10-pound monofilament.
• Lure and tackle: Heavy-duty, ball-bearing snap swivels for use with spoons like krocodiles,
  cleos, castmasters and daredevils will work great off piers and breakwalls.
• For bait fishing: Small hooks in sizes 4 to 6 with slip bobbers, split shot, three-way
  swivels and bell sinkers for use with spawn, minnows and wax worms.
• Miscellaneous gear: Long-handled landing net for fish up to 20 pounds, heavy-duty stringer,
  needle-nose pliers, extra spools of line, garbage bags, and warm clothes (weather conditions can change quickly on Lake Michigan).

What You Need - Licenses and Regulations

• Fishing license if you are older than 15.
• Great Lakes Trout and Salmon stamp or a two-day Sports Fishing License to fish for trout or salmon in the tributaries (up to the first dam or lake).
• A copy of the Fishing Regulations.
• *Note: From September 15 to the first Saturday of the following May, there is no hook and line fishing from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise in the tributaries.
• VHS rules

Fishing licenses can be purchased online or at DNR service centers or at license agents.

More Resources

• Daily Stream Conditions - USGS Real Time Water Data [exit DNR]
• Lake Michigan Fishing Report
• Find Places to Fish From Shore Year-Round
• Find a Tributary to Fish
• "Hook into a Good Time" - Questions and answers about taking your first charter fishing trip.
• Find a Fishing Charter [exit DNR]
• Fish Consumption Advice