Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - April 27, 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 27, 2026: West Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Fox River

Moderate fishing pressure was observed this week on the Fox River. Earlier in the week, windy conditions made boat launching difficult at several locations throughout the Fox River. Many reported low catch rates except for a few shore anglers who caught walleyes, white suckers and the occasional freshwater drum. Walleye fisherman reported hair jigs were the most successful. By the end of the week, anglers reported catches improving significantly. 

Fish caught included smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappies, walleye and freshwater drum. Black crappies were caught by many anglers fishing near the mouth of the river with sizes ranging between 6-10 inches in length. Angler fishing near the mouth of the Fox River also reported catching walleyes. Walleyes and crappies were both caught by anglers fishing with jigs and minnows. Shore anglers also reported that white bass started to show up over the weekend.

Marinette County

Fishing on the Menominee River for walleye was tougher this week with numerous suckers and sturgeon being reported near the popular shore fishing areas. Better catches were reported out in the bay at the mouth and just south of the main channel. Casting lipless crankbaits and vertical jigging with minnows was working. A few were also being caught on crankbaits while trolling the shorelines. Anglers on the Peshtigo River were finding a few walleyes throughout the river from the Hwy. 41 bridge out to the mouth. Jigs with plastics or minnows were popular. 

Fish were also caught early in the week from shore at the mouth of the river and in the bay off the river mouth. A few northern pike and smallmouth bass were also caught. Sturgeon made their way up to the Peshtigo Dam in the middle of the week with the warmer weather and could be seen in good numbers from the viewing platform. Water temperatures in the bay had a big range this week depending on wind direction. Anything from 36 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit was reported.

Oconto County

Anglers were having some luck catching walleyes, especially later in the week. Jigs with crawlers were working best followed by lipless crankbaits and crawler harnesses. Most were fishing in waters 10 feet deep and less with many reports of fish in 2 to 4 feet of water. Areas just out in front of Oconto County Park 2 were good as well as about halfway north to the mouth of the Peshtigo River. A few fish were caught at the mouth of the Oconto including smallmouth bass. Pier anglers were having a little better luck catching northern pike this week. A few large fish in the 40-inch size range were reported. Dead baits like smelt or chubs were working best. Water temperatures were from 44 to 51 degrees Fahrenheit at the end of the week.

 

April 27, 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!