Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - May 13, 2024

Fishing Wisconsin

Generally, fishing reports will be updated weekly on Tuesdays. This may change based on the availability of reports and the field staff's work schedules.

Unless otherwise indicated, this fishing report information comes from our Creel survey clerks who work in the lakeshore areas from March through October and in the tributary rivers seasonally in spring and fall. Creel clerk schedules are random and vary in the days and times scheduled to be in a specific location. This allows us to generate statistically valid fishing efforts and harvest information.

Information for these reports is based on the days and times of the week that creel clerks are present. You can obtain additional fishing information by contacting local bait shops, charter captains, guides and marinas.

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REMINDER - Anglers must carry a paper copy of their license/stamps while fishing on Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and the Wisconsin/Michigan, Wisconsin/Minnesota and Wisconsin/Iowa boundary waters.

May 13, 2024: West Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Brown County

Fox River Boating Anglers: Moderate fishing pressure was observed this week. All anglers that were interviewed were targeting walleye and were fishing near the mouth of the bay or in the bay. The walleye anglers had mixed results, catching between 0 to 6 walleye per boat. The anglers that had the best success were trolling crawler harnesses in 8 to 15 feet of water. Anglers also reported unintentionally catching white bass, white perch and sheepshead/drum. The reported water temperature was between 56 to 60 degrees.

Fox River Shore Anglers: This week had moderate fishing pressure. Shore anglers were mostly targeting white bass, white perch and sheepshead/drum. The white bass and white perch anglers had the best success casting jigs and using live minnows. Shore anglers also caught catfish and common carp.

Suamico River: There was moderate to heavy fishing pressure observed this week. Boating anglers reported catching walleye by trolling crawler harnesses and flicker minnows in 6 to 15 feet of water. The number of reported walleyes caught per boat ranged from 0 to 7. The reported water temperature was around 56 degrees. 

Marinette County

Fishing pressure was rather low this week. During the day, a few walleyes were caught in the Menominee River on crawler harnesses. Better catches were at night along the shore, both north and south of the mouth of the river, while trolling stickbaits. Numerous sturgeon were seen spawning below the Peshtigo dam again over the weekend.

Oconto County

Fishing on the bay was a little more consistent this week.  Anglers trolling crawler harnesses during the day were catching walleyes. Gold-bladed harnesses with purple or green colors were popular. Anglers were trolling at night as well and catching walleyes. Popular baits were jerkbaits. White perch and sheepshead were very active in the mouth of the Oconto River. Both shore and boat anglers were catching numerous fish using crawlers. Surface water temperatures in Green Bay ranged from 50 to 56 degrees from Marinette south to Oconto. Smallmouth bass were also caught in the river's upper stretches below the Stiles Dam.

May 13, 2024: East Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Bay Shore Park: There was moderate pressure observed this week. All anglers that were interviewed were targeting walleye. They had mixed results with the best success coming from anglers trolling flicker minnows in 6 to 10 feet of water. The reported water temperature was around 57 degrees.

Little Sturgeon Bay: There was moderate fishing activity observed this week. All anglers that were interviewed were targeting smallmouth bass. Anglers were finding good numbers of smallmouth bass using swim baits and ned rigs below 12 feet deep. The reported water temperature was around 55 degrees.

May 13, 2024: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Milwaukee County

Boat anglers targeting Coho are regularly catching their limits, and pier anglers are having success as well. Common methods are soaking alewives, using tube jigs with shrimp and casting spoons.

Kenosha County

Anglers are having success targeting Coho salmon in 110 feet of water and less.

Racine County

Anglers are having success targeting Coho salmon in 110 feet of water and less.

Sheboygan County 

Trollers fishing in 120 to 160 feet of water off of Sheboygan have been catching good numbers of Coho, with a few rainbows reported as well. Aqua and white-colored flies have been productive. Shore fishing pressure has been relatively low, and large schools of alewives can be seen off the north and south piers.

Ozaukee County 

Limits of coho have been caught by trollers fishing out of Port Washington. Anglers reported catching fish in a variety of depths from 80 to 150 feet using flashers and flies, and successful color patterns included white or green and gold flies. Shore anglers fishing in Coal Dock Park have been catching browns and coho on spoons.

May 6, 2024: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Sturgeon Bay: At Stone Quarry, anglers fishing the shoreline were mainly targeting smallmouth bass with limited success. Water clarity was around 2 feet. Boaters fishing in the canal were targeting smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike. Anglers reported catching smallmouth bass between 5 to 12 feet of water using flicker minnows, swimbaits and shad jerkbaits. Anglers catching walleye were fishing between 8 to 40 feet of water using mainly darker-colored soft plastics. Finally, anglers who caught northern pike were fishing in 3 to 10 feet of water using crankbaits. Surface temperature ranged from 48 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit with an average of around 55.  

Rowley’s Bay: Anglers were catching smallmouth bass in Rowley’s Bay using dark sleeper swimbaits, paddletails, and other plastics of varying colors which included blues and greens. The anglers here were targeting shallow water of 2 to 5 feet, and the water temperature was 61℉.

Ephraim: Smallmouth bass anglers have been flocking to Ephraim and fishing in 5-15 feet of water. Anglers have been catching bass on ned rigs, swimbaits, and paddletails. Success has been seen with the colors of green pumpkin, perch, and others. Water temperatures around Ephraim ranged from 47℉ to 51℉.

Kewaunee County

Kewaunee: Overall fishing pressure was very low this week. Anglers fishing on the pier were going for brown and rainbow trout. No fish were recorded caught. Anglers did claim to see rainbow trout surface in the distance. No boaters were spotted/reported throughout the week.

Algoma: The pier saw anglers fishing for brown and rainbow trout with no fish reported caught. Anglers fishing next to the dog park and at Olsen Park were fishing for brown trout, rainbow trout, and northern pike. These anglers reported catching white suckers and bullheads and noted the water clarity being less than a foot of visibility. Boaters launching out to Lake Michigan were targeting brown and rainbow trout. Surface temperature reportedly fell to between 41- 43F.