Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - April 13, 2026

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 they are scheduled to be in a specific location. This allows us to generate statistically valid fishing efforts and harvest information.

The information in 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.

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.

 

April 13, 2026: West Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Fox River

Weather was a primary driver of angler activity this week with lighter fishing pressure observed on days with high winds and rain and heavier fishing pressure on days with nicer weather. Walleye anglers reported a varied bite all week with some anglers doing poor and other anglers catching around 20 fish. Other fish being caught more frequently this past week include whitefish, white bass and flathead catfish. Water clarity is getting better, and the water temperatures were around 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the week.

Marinette County

A warmup at the end of the week improved the walleye bite. More fish were caught below the dam and in the deeper sections of the Menominee River. Three-way rigs with stick baits or flies were working as well as jigs and minnows. Anglers off the Hattie Street bridge were getting a few fish during the day but a better bite was reported after dark. Anglers on the Peshtigo River started to see fish up by the dam late Thursday with good fishing seen over the weekend. Most of the fish were males, but a few large females were caught. Casting stick baits or shad rap style baits was working best. 

Fishing was proving to be more difficult downstream away from the dam. A lot of the deeper holes were full of suckers and a few sturgeon. Brown trout anglers were having a difficult time finding good days to fish the bay with the wind this week. Those that were out found some fish both north and south of the Menominee River. Water temperatures were still very cold so finding any water that was a degree or so warmer was key.

Oconto County

Anglers fishing in the bay were catching a few walleye this week. Most were averaging 2 to 8 fish. A few higher catches were reported from anglers fishing at night. The warmer weather late in the week drew lots of fish up to the Stiles dam area. Fishing was good from the dam downstream to the Hwy J bridge. Suckers were also reported in the same areas. Best catches seemed to be just downstream from the Hwy 141 bridge. Stick baits and shad-style raps were popular. Water temperatures warmed up from the upper 30s during the week to the mid-40s over the weekend in the river. Temperatures out in the bay were 36 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

April 13, 2026: East Shore Green Bay Creel Report

There is no report for this week.

 

Nov. 17, 2025: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

The 2025 open water creel season has ended for Northern Lake Michigan. Thank you to all those who participated in the survey this year. We look forward to seeing everyone again next spring!

 

Nov. 17, 2025: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

The 2025 open-water creel season has ended for Southern Lake Michigan, including Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties. Thank you to all those who participated in the survey this year. We look forward to seeing everyone again next spring!