Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

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Fall Fishing

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Trap Nets

In general, fishing reports will be updated once per week, usually on Tuesdays. This may change based on availability of reports and work schedules of field staff.

• Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report
• Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report
• Green Bay Fishing Report

Kenosha Co.

Open water can be found in the Kenosha harbor. Casting small spoons or using tube jigs or spawn sacs should produce some browns and rainbows.

Racine Co.

The Racine harbor had fishable ice, but conditions have deteriorated with the current warm temperatures. Anglers have been fishing from the docks and have been catching browns along with some rainbows, and fish had been caught on spawn and Gulp.

Milwaukee Co.

In Milwaukee, boaters continue to have consistent brown trout action in the harbor, and they are catching some rainbows as well. Trolling has produced fish, as has jigging or soaking spawn. Open water anglers fishing behind the Summerfest grounds have also been catching some brown trout and occasional rainbows, and spawn has produced most fish for them. There is no ice currently in the inner harbor, but conditions can change quickly.

Ozaukee Co.

In Port Washington, open water fishing near the power plant has been hit-or-miss for brown trout. Days that fish are not biting in the harbor, some anglers have had success casting crank baits from the pier.

Sheboygan Co.

In Sheboygan anglers in the harbor have taken a few northerns, rainbows and browns on minnows, but fishing has been generally slow. There is ice in the marina that is not safe for foot travel, but anglers have been fishing from the docks. Some anglers have also been fishing off the south pier, with a few brown trout taken.

Manitowoc Co.

Reports will return in spring when the Lake Michigan creel survey season begins.

Kewaunee Co.

Reports will return in spring when the Lake Michigan creel survey season begins.

Door Co. (Lake and Bay sides)

Sturgeon Bay: Anglers have been fishing off the Stone Quarry landing. Anglers are targeting whitefish with good success. Ice conditions have been on the poor side with only 5-6 inches of good ice. Perch fishing has been slow inside of Sawyer Harbor, with smaller fish making up most of the catches. Larson's Reef has been producing some walleyes for some local anglers. Ice conditions along the reef are poor with only walking being advised.

Brown Co.

Warmer then normal temperatures this past week did not bode well for ice conditions. Use caution when venturing out on the ice. Voyageur Park anglers are targeting perch, walleye, and whitefish. There is very little ice left and as of Sunday as many people were open water fishing as there were ice fishermen. Ice anglers are using jigging Rap's tipped with minnows for walleye and rattle spoons tipped with minnow heads or wax worms for perch and whitefish. Shore anglers are casting jig heads and twister bodies. Sunset Beach fishermen are targeting perch in 10 feet of water with the most productive technique being tip ups with minnows. The nicer fish are being caught early morning and late afternoon. Perch are being caught in the Duck Creek jigging with wax worms and minnows with many small fish being caught.

East Shore

Little Sturgeon Bay: Fishermen are catching numbers of small perch inside the bay. Most anglers are targeting perch in 5-15 feet of water. Whitefish have been biting well with numbers being caught off Wood Lane in about 20 feet of water. Jigging spoons and jigging rapalas tipped with a minnow head or wax worm have been working the best. Lime Kiln Road has been producing good numbers of whitefish, but ice conditions have been deteriorating steadily so caution is advised. Volks Reef: Whitefish have been keeping the anglers happy, with a few perch being caught as well. Red River Park: Ice conditions are still pretty good with most anglers walking or driving ATV's on to the ice. Most fishermen are catching good numbers of whitefish on jigging spoons. A few perch and the occasional walleye are being caught as well. Bayshore Park: Whitefish have been the hot bite, with anglers reporting limits earlier in the week with it slowing down by the weekend.

Oconto Co.

Warmer then normal temperatures this past week did not bode well for ice conditions. Use caution when venturing out on the ice. Geano Beach fishermen are targeting the reef south of the Public landing for whitefish using rattle spoons and jiggin Rap's. Ice conditions range from 4 to 10 inches. Some perch are being reported by fishermen plying their trade closer to shore south of the access. Oconto Breakwater is producing some whitefish along with perch; jigging live bait is the key.

Marinette Co.

Warmer then normal temperatures this past week did not bode well for ice conditions. Use caution when venturing out on the ice.