Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - Sept. 7, 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.

 

Sept. 14, 2026: West Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Brown County

Duck Creek: Anglers had luck catching yellow perch and other panfish using worms below slip bobbers.

Fox River: Anglers fishing within the Fox River reported targeting a variety of different fish species including muskellunge, freshwater drum, white bass and channel/flathead catfish. Musky anglers reported limited success and activity. Anglers who had the best success were using live bait on a variety of rigs with worms and minnows working best. Some other species that were reported being caught were common carp, round goby, smallmouth bass and walleye.

Suamico River: Limited fishing pressure was observed this week due to rains and heavy winds throughout the week. Anglers departing both launches were most commonly targeting yellow perch, walleye and muskellunge. Musky anglers reported seeing the most action near Geano Beach while fishing weed beds in 10 to 15 feet of water, but no muskies were reported as being caught this week. Walleye anglers reported a tough bite this week with only a few walleye being caught. Yellow perch anglers were having good luck fishing with minnows and nightcrawlers in 10 to 20 feet of water using drop shots. A few individuals reported harvesting their limits of perch. Anglers fishing from shore in the Suamico River continued to catch small yellow perch along with a few nicer ones mixed in. A few large bluegills were also being caught by anglers fishing in the Suamico River. Anglers targeting walleye and yellow perch also reported catching some freshwater drum, white perch and channel catfish.

Marinette County

Fishing activity was fairly light this week. Most anglers were chasing walleyes out in the bay around Green Island. Casting jigs and crawlers were good options for catching fish. Shoreline areas with rocky bottoms north of the river were also producing fish. Trolling on the bay for trout and salmon produced a few fish. Mainly small salmon were being caught with a couple pink salmon reported as well. The occasional 4 chinook and brown trout were seen in low numbers.

Oconto County

Fishing pressure was down slightly this week with some days of higher winds. Anglers out of Oconto were targeting 10 to 18 feet of water around rock piles and weeds north of the river and out in deeper waters around the Oconto shoal. Both walleyes and perch were being caught in good numbers. Most anglers were using slip bobbers with crawlers or jig and crawlers. A few anglers had a little success trolling deep diving crankbaits for walleye. Water temperatures began to drop and were in in the upper 60s by the end of the week.

 

Sept. 14, 2026: East Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Bayshore Park: Limited to heavy fishing pressure was observed this week with weather driving fishing pressure. Anglers targeting yellow perch had mixed results. The perch anglers who had the best success were fishing just north of Bayshore Park and south near Vincent's Point in around 15 ft of water. The yellow perch anglers were mostly using a mix of nightcrawlers and minnows. The sizes of the perch caught were mixed with over half the perch caught being too small to keep. Anglers targeting walleye had the best success trolling crawler harnesses and minnowbaits near Two Mile Reef. Anglers also unintentionally caught drum/sheepshead and white perch. The reported water temperature was around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eagle's Nest: Limited to moderate fishing activity was observed this week. Part of the week had very windy conditions. Anglers targeting yellow perch had the best success fishing near Vincents Point in around 15 ft of water using a mix of nightcrawlers and minnows. There were no reports from anglers targeting walleye or musky. Anglers also unintentionally caught white perch and freshwater drum. The reported water temperature was around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chaudoir’s Dock: Chaudoir's Dock boat launch is now open, although the upper parking lot was still closed. Part of the week had windy conditions which resulted in limited fishing. Anglers targeting yellow perch had the best success fishing about a mile north of Chaudoir's Dock in around 15 to 18 ft of water. The sizes of the yellow perch were mixed with some larger-sized yellow perch that were kept. There were no anglers interviewed this week who were targeting walleye or musky. The reported water temperature was around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Little Sturgeon Bay: Moderate to heavy fishing pressure was observed this week. Anglers targeting walleye had the best success trolling crawler harnesses and jigging nightcrawlers near Henderson Point and Larson's Reef in 15 to 25 feet of water. Anglers targeting yellow perch had success catching larger-sized perch near Henderson Point in 25 feet of water and within Little Sturgeon Bay in 15 feet of water. Anglers also unintentionally caught freshwater drum and white perch. The water temperature was around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sawyer Harbor: Moderate fishing activity was observed this week. Anglers targeting yellow perch had success fishing within Little Sturgeon Bay and were able to catch some larger-sized yellow perch, although they also caught plenty of smaller ones that were too small to keep. Anglers targeting walleye had great success trolling crawler harnesses and jigging nightcrawlers off Larson's Reef. The water temperature was around 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Sept. 14, 2026: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Green Bay: At Egg Harbor, boaters targeting smallmouth bass had success in 8–20 feet of water using hard plastics, bottom bouncers with worm harnesses, Ned rigs, drop shots and paddletails. Walleye were caught in 20 feet of water using worms and jigs tipped with worms, freshwater drum were also caught by walleye anglers. Pier anglers targeted smallmouth bass, rock bass, walleye, and yellow perch, with worms producing perch, white bass, and smallmouth bass. Water temperatures were 69–70°F. At Ephraim, anglers targeting smallmouth bass had success with green pumpkin tubes, worms and slip bobbers. Smallmouth bass caught weighed 3.5–4.5 pounds, with water temperatures around 70°F. At Peninsula State Park, boaters targeting walleye and smallmouth bass caught walleye in 20–40 feet of water using jigs and crawlers, while smallmouth bass were caught in 21 feet of water on drop shots. Water temperatures ranged from 69–71°F. Pier anglers targeting smallmouth bass had success with worms.

Northern Door County: Lake Michigan Side: At Rowley’s Bay, boat anglers targeting smallmouth bass had success in 7 feet of water and while casting into 4 feet of water using worms under a bobber. Incidental yellow perch and small northern pike were also caught. Water temperatures ranged from 68–74°F.

Sturgeon Bay: Along the shorelines, anglers were mainly going after smallmouth bass. Both smallmouth bass and round goby were caught while using worms and darker colored soft plastics. Boats out on Lake Michigan were fishing for both trout and salmon with Chinook salmon being caught. The average depth of bites was around 45 feet down with most groups fishing in 90 feet of water. Surface temperatures lowered as the week progressed down to an average of about 61 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Kewaunee County

Algoma: Compared to last week, the pier saw an increase of anglers fishing for trout and salmon. From those surveyed, no fish were reported caught. The Ahnapee River also had an uptick in fishing effort with more shoreline anglers and boaters trying for yellow perch and northern pike this week. Yellow perch were caught with worms used as bait, and northern pike liked bright colored spinners. Visibility on the river was just under a foot for most of the week. Boaters on Lake Michigan preferred to set up in shallow water with Chinook salmon being caught in around 30 feet of water biting about 10 feet down. Glow spoons were commonly used. Surface temperature average was around 62 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee: The number of anglers fishing the pier and shorelines increased this week as most were targeting both trout and salmon. Both Chinook salmon and Coho salmon were caught on a mix of lures and bait. Orange spoons, green/glow spoons, spawn sacs and paddle tail jigs were the most popular choices. Groups fishing the lake were fishing for trout and salmon fishing as shallow as 30 feet of water near the harbor, all the way out to 350 feet of water. The average depth however was around 100 feet with most bites coming in about 50 feet down. Surface temperatures cooled off to an average of around 62 degrees by the end of the week (68-degree average last week).

Manitowoc County

Anglers have caught some Chinook salmon, with a few rainbow trout as well. The average group caught 3-5 fish, with one group reporting 12 and a couple groups with 8. Groups reported catching fish from 70-200 feet. Most groups had success in 70-100 feet. Surface temperatures were right around 68 degrees. 53-degree water was found anywhere between 80-90 feet. Several groups caught fish on J-plugs, with spoons also being effective. Green was a solid color choice. Anglers have had moderate success catching smallmouth bass in the harbor and just outside the mouth of the harbor on Ned rigs. Effort is still strong on the piers. A few anglers are catching Chinook, mostly on green spoons. There has also been occasional brown trout and coho salmon caught. Harbor anglers have had good catches of northern pike and carp. The best bait for northern pike has been spinners and crankbaits. Anglers targeting carp have had success with live bait.

 

Sept. 14, 2026: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

No report available this week.

Milwaukee County

North Milwaukee: Boats out of McKinley were fishing in a couple different depths depending on if they were out on the lake or inside the breakwaters. Most boats out on the lake were mostly in 60-90ft of water, but the vast majority of boats were either in the gaps or the Kinnickinnic River east of the interstate 794 bridge and around the red lighthouse at Lakeshore State Park. More than a few boats even reported going significantly further up river from the bridge, but it did not appear that they had a significant return on that time investment so far. Most boats out on the lake were trolling and using flasher flies and spoons. Green, blue, and glow spoons reportedly got the most action out on the lake away from shore. Boats fishing close to shore reported mostly using jigging spoons and plastics, mostly in lighter colors including white, pink, and lighter chartreuse. An increasing number of fishermen reported having good luck fishing with bobbers and using skein. Shore-casters as a whole increased in number as the bite picked up over the last weekend and the amount of people fishing near the Red Lighthouse at Lakeshore park increased significantly and  fishing from shore got a little crowded at times. Spoons and jigging spoons made up the vast majority of lures from shore, but a good number of anglers from shore were also using bobbers and egg skein. Pink, green, white, and blue seemed to be the most popular colors and 3/4oz was the most popular weight of spoons and jigging spoons used. Some anglers in the Lakeshore lagoon area were targeting panfish but not landing any in significant numbers. A few anglers were fishing the newly reopened inlet landing immediately adjacent to the Milwaukee Yacht Club and accessible by sidewalk right off Lincoln Memorial Dr; and these anglers landed a few bluegill and crappie.

South Milwaukee: Some boats out of the South Milwaukee Ramps fished headed out onto the open lake and trolled 8 miles offshore in 60ft of water and had some luck. Flashers with pink or white flies seemed to work well for the trollers, as did green and lighter-colored spoons. Most boats that launched out of the southern ramps stayed close to shore however, and most were sitting in the main gap or the among the large number of boats fishing the waters around the Red Lighthouse at any given time. These inside the breakwater anglers from the southern ramps also reported success with pink, green, white, and blue jigging spoons and a handful of them also went with the bobber and skein approach. Anglers using the Oak Creek Power Plant Pier had the pier and shoreline closed to public use every day except Sunday. Most anglers having luck here reported using the tried-and-trued 3/4 small jigging spoons, although a notable few mentioned using some plastics and even others went with the bobbers and skein. Most anglers reported a good number of bites off this pier, but it seemed like the hooked fish were a little tougher to actually land here. 

Ozaukee County

Pier/Shore: No report available this week.

Ramp: No report available this week.

Racine County

Racine had high angling effort. Most catches of coho and Chinook were off the South piers and the rocks at the mouth of the Root River. Most were caught floating a tube jig with shrimp or skein. Some catches were on a jigging spoon. Most boaters were near shore or at the mouth of the river.

Sheboygan County

Pier/Shore: No report available this week.

Ramp: No report available this week.