Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - June 22, 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.

 

June 22, 2026: West Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Brown County

Fox River: Many days with strong north winds made it difficult to access Green Bay from the Fox River. A few walleye anglers tried to fish the lower bay with little success. Boat anglers fishing on the Fox River itself reported decent catches of channel catfish ranging in size from 3-7 pounds, many freshwater drum and a few largemouth bass. Most of these anglers were fishing bottom rigs with live bait. Shore anglers reported that the white bass run is largely over. A few small white bass and white perch were caught by shore anglers along with a mix of channel catfish and freshwater drum.

Suamico River: Strong winds and storms resulted in little fishing pressure during the week. Over the weekend, a mix of anglers and pleasure boaters were using the launch. Walleye anglers reported tough fishing, although a few walleyes were caught by anglers trolling in 30-35 feet of water. Walleye caught ranged in size from 20-24 inches. Anglers targeting yellow perch also reported tough fishing with the best reports coming from anglers fishing the north side of Long Tail Point. Anglers also reported catching freshwater drum, catfish, and suckers. The water temperature was in the mid-60s over the weekend.

Marinette County

Some better wind conditions were seen this week allowing more anglers to get out on the bay to try for trout and salmon. Fish catches were scattered around with Chambers Island being best followed by Green Island. Catches of multiple salmon were starting to be seen over the weekend. Both spoons and flasher and flies were working. The occasional brown trout was also caught. Water temps were still rather cold. No real defined temperature break was set up yet in the bay. Surface temps were in the low 60s with 50 degree water being not far below the surface. Anglers fishing the Menominee River were getting several sheepshead during the day and a few walleyes trolling minnowbaits and crawler harnesses. Best catches for walleyes were being taken at night up stream around Stephenson Island.

Oconto County

Most of the anglers seen this week were chasing yellow perch on the bay. Best luck was between Oconto and Oconto County Park 2 around the rock piles with weeds. Both minnows and crawlers were catching fish. Early mornings seemed to be the best time to fish with higher numbers caught before 9 a.m. Targeted depths were between 5 to 12 feet of water. Water temps haven’t warmed up much this past week with upper 60s being common.

Geano Beach: Strong winds and storms resulted in little fishing pressure during the week. Over the weekend recreational boaters that were primarily tubing and swimming were using the launch.

 

June 22, 2026: East Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Bayshore Park: No report available this week.

Eagle's Nest: No report available this week.

Chaudoir’s Dock: No report available this week.

Little Sturgeon Bay: Limited fishing activity was observed during the week due to windy and rainy conditions. An angler reported having success catching walleye farther north near Sherwood Point in 12 to 40 feet of water by jigging hair jigs and plastic jigs. Water temperatures throughout the week ranged from 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit in Green Bay.

Sawyer Harbor: Limited fishing activity was observed during the week due to windy and rainy conditions. Water temperatures throughout the week ranged from 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit in Green Bay.

 

June 22, 2026: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Green Bay: Smallmouth bass remained the primary target species for anglers this week, with successful catches reported throughout several locations. Anglers at Sister Bay, Egg Harbor, Ellison Bay, Anderson Pier, Murphy Park and Peninsula State Park all reported catching smallmouth bass. Productive presentations included imitation gobies, shiner-pattern swimbaits, bluegill and goby soft plastics, hair jigs, drop-shot rigs with flatworms, crankbaits and live minnows. At Sister Bay Ramp, boaters reported good success using gray soft plastics and shiner-pattern swimbaits in 63 degrees Fahrenheit water. At Ellison Bay Ramp, boaters reported catching many smallmouth bass under two pounds on imitation goby presentations. One boater at Peninsula State Park reported catching smallmouth bass while fishing live minnows suspended approximately five feet down over 25 feet of water. Additional species caught this week included rock bass, walleye, yellow perch and northern pike. Egg Harbor Pier continued to see high angling effort, with anglers reporting catches of smallmouth bass and rock bass on nightcrawlers and neutral-colored soft plastics. Murphy Park anglers also reported catches of both smallmouth bass and walleye. Weather conditions ranged from sunny to overcast with occasional rain. Fishing success remained consistent despite changing weather conditions.

Sturgeon Bay: Shoreline anglers were primarily targeting smallmouth bass. Anglers who reported catching smallmouth bass preferred light-colored soft plastics as their lure of choice. Groups fishing the canal reported catching yellow perch and northern pike in 12 feet of water. Surface temperature average in the canal was around 66 degrees Fahrenheit. Boaters launching out on Lake Michigan were fishing for both trout and salmon with rainbow trout, coho and Chinook salmon being caught. The average depth of bites range fell between 40 to 60 feet with most groups fishing in 120 to 180 feet of water. Green spoons and flasher flies were commonly used. Surface temperatures ranged from 52 to 56 degrees Fahrenheit with an average of 54 degrees.

Kewaunee County

Algoma: Anglers surveyed fishing the south pier were fishing for trout and salmon. In town, Ahnapee River anglers were targeting northern pike. Lake Michigan boaters were also going after trout and salmon. Both rainbow trout and Chinook salmon were being caught throughout the week. Reported bites varied widely from 15 to 80 feet down with an average range of around 50 to 60 feet. The average depth of water groups were fishing in was 130 to 160 feet. Darker colored spoons and flasher flies were most preferred. Surface temperatures ranged from 46 to 53 degrees Fahrenheit with an average of about 50 degrees.

Kewaunee: Shoreline and pier anglers were fishing for both trout and salmon. Chinook salmon were caught off the pier. Off the ramp, boaters were also targeting trout and salmon on Lake Michigan. Rainbow trout and Chinook salmon were caught relatively evenly. Most bites fell between 40 to 55 feet down and the majority of groups were fishing in 120 to 150 feet of water. Most parties preferred blue/green lures. Surface temperatures varied from 47 to 53 degrees Fahrenheit.

Manitowoc County

Groups caught fish anywhere from 170-80 feet. The most consistent catches came between 90-110 feet. Most fish were caught in the upper half at about 40-55 feet down. Surface temperatures were around 54 degrees Fahrenheit earlier in the week. Both spoons and flasher flies were working well, with combinations of blue/green mentioned as good color options. Effective trolling speeds ranged from 2.2-2.6 miles per hour.

 

June 22, 2026: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

Pier/Shore: Anglers were having success catching limits of yellow perch from the piers using soft plastics. Pier and shore fishing continues to be difficult for salmon and trout.

Ramps: Anglers were catching limits of yellow perch in the harbor jigging off the rocks. Anglers were also catching Chinook salmon and coho salmon primarily between 40-60 feet of water.

Milwaukee County

North Milwaukee: The start of Summerfest wreaked havoc on efforts to access a good deal of fishing locations for a lot of people, and when combined on the lower number of fish landed, many fishermen in the north area took the weekend off or traveled to a different location to try their luck. The massive and sudden reduction in the frequency of bites and the number of fish landed also had many fishermen venturing away from their tried-and-true setups and experimenting with new rig combinations. Boats out of McKinley were covering a lot of depths. Anglers were fishing in 55-120 feet of water and having the most success with tubes and spoons of most colors, but especially blue/silver. The increased water level and runoff brought a lot of debris back into the water and boaters needed to take extra caution with large rafts of floating debris and deadheads. Shore-casters in the North Shore struggled just like the fishermen on the water. Those in the Lakeshore area had minor success with smallmouth bass and bluegill, and those fishing from the McKinley Pier didn't catch anything at all. This was frustrating for most and led, along with Summerfest traffic, to a reduction in the number of people using the pier.

South Milwaukee: Boats out of the South Shore Ramp also struggled with the reduction of landings and a lot of fishermen here also turned to rigs of a more experimental nature. Despite the experimentation however, the highest success (and that's a VERY relative term) seemed to be standard dodgers and flasher flies, dipsy divers, and spoons. Two separate and interesting recommendations purported to have yielded success during the surrounding lull included the use of spoons in the earliest hours of the fishing effort then switching to flasher flies in the 8'oclock hour, and the use of  "a black spoon with a bloody nose" 1.8 miles offshore. Boats out of the Bender Park Ramp (which is now open) were fewer in number than other locations, but that will likely change as more people become aware that ramp is open. Most anglers here also returned empty-handed and without a good understanding of why that occurred. The Oak Creek Power Plant Pier had the pier and shoreline closed to public use every day except Sunday, and there were fishermen excited to utilize the location as soon as it opened Sunday morning. Unfortunately, this location suffered from the similar condition as the rest of the coastline and no large amount of anything was landed here. 

Ozaukee County

No report available this week.

Racine County

Ramp: Anglers were catching Chinook salmon, coho salmon, lake trout, rainbow trout and brown trout. Although some groups returned with their limit, most were catching half limits. Anglers were having success fishing primarily between 40-70 feet of water.

Sheboygan County

No report available this week.