Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - Aug. 24, 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.

 

Aug. 24, 2026: West Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Brown County

Duck Creek: Shore anglers had some luck over the week, primarily catching perch and sunfish. Boat anglers were far more productive, with some anglers keeping limits of perch fishing down river of the launch.

Fox River: Most anglers were fishing for drum, catfish and white bass. Both shore and boat fishermen reported catching drum and catfish regularly, but only a handful each trip. White bass are rarely being caught in the river. Fish were also reported as being finicky, short striking often.

Suamico River: Perch fishing has continued to be variable, but typically quite good. 15-20 feet of water seems to be holding active fish. Anglers have also started targeting them from shore with more regularity and variable success. Walleye catch was poor, though few people reported fishing for them.

Marinette County

Fishing activity was light this week with days of wind and scattered showers. Anglers were able to find good fishing for walleye, salmon and brown trout. Walleye anglers were getting fish around Green and Chambers islands casting jig and crawlers and shiver minnows. A few sheepshead and catfish were being caught as well. The best salmon fishing was occurring by Chambers Island. Flashers and flies were working along with some plugs and spoons. Brown trout and a few salmon were caught closer to shore both north and south of the Menominee River in waters 40 to 50 feet deep. Smaller spoons were working best with white colored spoons producing fish. Anglers fishing in the Menominee River were getting some perch and bluegills fishing weed beds in the shallows out of the main river channel. A few walleyes and smallmouth were being caught upstream from Stephenson Island, especially in low light conditions.

Oconto County

Fishing activity was a little lower this week with weather late in the week producing higher winds and scattered rain showers. Anglers that were out were able to get a few walleyes around the Oconto Shoal. Slip bobbers with crawlers and jig and crawlers were the preferred method for most anglers. A few perch and sheepshead were also being caught while targeting walleyes. Most anglers were targeting waters 25 to 40 feet deep.

Geano Beach: Musky anglers were out in force this week, as surface water temperatures began dropping, from 75 degrees Fahrenheit on Aug. 18 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit on Aug. 23. Successful anglers typically reported using bucktails and casting into perch schools. Perch fishing has slowed but some boats are still bringing back limits. The walleye catch was poor, though fewer people reported fishing for them.

 

Aug. 24, 2026: East Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Bayshore Park: Limited to moderate fishing pressure was observed this week. Anglers targeting yellow perch had the best success fishing near Vincent's Point in around 15 feet of water using nightcrawlers and live minnows. Anglers targeting walleye had the best success fishing near 2 Mile Reef, although the windy conditions made it challenging for many anglers to fish. Anglers also unintentionally caught drum/sheepshead and white perch. The water temperature was around 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eagle's Nest: Limited to moderate fishing activity was observed this week. Most of the week had windy conditions that limited angler effort. Anglers targeting yellow perch had the best success fishing near Vincent's Point in around 15 feet of water using live nightcrawlers. Anglers also caught a few walleyes near Geano's Reef while trolling crawler harnesses. The water temperature was around 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chaudoir’s Dock: The Chaudoir's Dock boat launch and parking lot are closed due to dredging near the launch area.

Little Sturgeon Bay: Moderate fishing pressure was observed this week. Part of the week had windy conditions that limited angler effort on these days. Anglers targeting walleyes had the best success by trolling Flicker Minnows and jigging with nightcrawlers near Henderson Point and Geano's Reef in 18 to 25 feet of water. Anglers targeting yellow perch had better success catching larger-sized yellow perch this week, which resulted in a higher number of fish being kept. Anglers did also catch smaller-sized perch, but there were some larger ones mixed in. The yellow perch were mostly caught within Little Sturgeon Bay. The water temperature was around 71 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sawyer Harbor: Limited fishing activity was observed this week. The few anglers that were interviewed this week were all targeting yellow perch. Although they caught some yellow perch, the fish were mostly on the smaller side and were not kept. The yellow perch were caught within Sawyer Harbor near Potawatomi State Park. Due to the windy conditions, anglers did not travel far out. The water temperature was around 71 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Aug. 24, 2026: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Green Bay: Smallmouth bass remained a popular target. At Ephraim Pier, anglers caught smallmouth bass using slip bobbers with worms, drop-shot rigs, tubes and Ned rigs. Anglers noted that smallmouth activity increased ahead of approaching storms. At Peninsula State Park Pier, anglers targeting smallmouth bass also caught a few incidental freshwater drum while using worms and jigs. At Egg Harbor Pier, anglers fishing for a variety of species caught yellow perch, rock bass and smallmouth bass on worms.

Lake Michigan: Boat anglers at Bailey’s Harbor Ramp targeted rainbow trout and chinook salmon, with lead core and spoons producing fish. Bloody Nose and Wonderbread patterns produced the most fish. Boats were fishing in 85–90 feet of water, with fish caught around 40 feet down. Surface temperatures ranged from 65 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures around 52 degrees Fahrenheit at 85 feet. At Rowley’s Bay Pier, anglers targeting smallmouth bass found success with spinners, worms and leeches.

Sturgeon Bay: Smallmouth bass anglers made up most of the shoreline activity this week. Those surveyed reported catching smallmouth bass using worms and dark colored soft plastics. Similarly, most boaters in the canal were targeting smallmouth bass. Most of these groups reported catching smallmouth bass in 16 to 20 feet of water using a mix of soft plastics and hard baits. Surface temperatures ranged from 70 to 74 degrees in the canal.

Kewaunee County

Algoma: Anglers along the pier were out fishing for trout and salmon, and Ahnapee River anglers were targeting mostly northern pike and yellow perch. Northern pike and smallmouth bass were reported caught from those surveyed. Green spinners were used for the pike and worms for the bass. Boaters fishing on Lake Michigan were going after trout and salmon with a large portion of the catch being chinook salmon with some rainbow trout and coho salmon caught as well. These groups reported bites and depth of water ranges slightly deeper this week than last. Primarily having bites occur 40 to 70 feet down as they were fishing in 90 to 130 feet of water. Surface temperatures varied from 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee: Those fishing along the pier and shorelines were primarily targeting trout and salmon. Chinook salmon, coho salmon, common carp and bullhead were caught. Light-colored glow spoons were used for the salmon. Boaters returning from Lake Michigan mostly reported catching chinook salmon and rainbow trout with some coho salmon, pink salmon and Atlantic salmon also being reported. Most bites were coming between 45 to 60 feet down and groups were mainly fishing in 90 to 130 feet of water. Both ranges are slightly deeper compared to last week. The water warmed up a little bit as well, with surface temperatures typically falling between 67 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Manitowoc County

Anglers have had success catching chinook salmon and a couple of rainbow trout. Groups averaged 3-5 fish, with a number in the 6-8 fish range. A couple of chinook weighed 10.45 and 10.9 pounds. Most groups reported catching fish in 50 to 95 feet of water, with the best catches coming from 60 to 80 feet. Surface temperatures were from 68-69 degrees. Spoons caught the most fish, along with some on flasher flies. Bloody nose was mentioned as a good color choice Anglers fishing the piers caught a few chinooks on casting spoons. Harbor anglers reported a couple of northern pike caught on spinnerbaits.

 

Aug. 24, 2026: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

Groups are having success in around 60 to 150 feet of water with spoons mostly being used.

Milwaukee County

North Milwaukee: Boats out of McKinley were fishing in a wide range of depths (50 to 175 feet), but most anglers seemed to be in about 100 feet of water. Surface temperature was reportedly 71 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit. Most boats were using flasher fly setups, but spoons alone and jig setups were also reported frequently. Spoon colors getting the most praise this week included green and green/orange. Moonshine lures got a few different mentions at the cleaning station, including the WonderBread color specifically. Shore-casters in the North Shore were also limited due to weather, and general lack of interest with the bite being so low. Crankbaits and small live bait (mostly worms) were most used and anglers on the McKinley pier landed mostly non-salmonoid species like bass. Anglers in the Lakeshore area were targeting panfish but not landing any in significant numbers.

South Milwaukee: Boats out of the South Milwaukee Ramps fished similar depths to the boats out of the North ramps. Spoon color recommendations tended to be green or blue.

Ozaukee County

Pier/Shore: Fishing success from both piers was variable throughout the past week. Many anglers fishing from shore at Coal Dock Park were successful while targeting bass. Off the pier, many anglers targeted chinook and coho salmon with limited success. Anglers who began their fishing trips during the early morning hours were more successful than those fishing at night. Spoons were commonly used to target salmon and trout.

Ramp: Anglers fishing from boats experienced a wide range of success throughout the week. While some anglers returned with their limits of salmon and trout, others landed only zero to two fish. The most successful anglers were trolling south during the early morning hours using spoons and downriggers. Chinook salmon were the most frequently targeted and landed species throughout the week. Anglers specifically targeting rainbow trout reported high catches, while some anglers targeting salmon also returned with a few rainbow trout.

Racine County

Groups are having success in around 60 to 150 feet of water with spoons mostly being used.

Sheboygan County

Pier/Shore: Extremely high fishing effort was observed across both piers throughout the week. Overall, anglers experienced productive fishing Friday and Saturday morning. Fish were actively biting prior to the rain and thunderstorms that moved through the area. Both chinook and coho salmon were targeted, with chinook salmon being the primary target for many anglers. White spoons were particularly productive for chinook salmon throughout the week, while a few coho salmon were also landed. Anglers fishing during the early morning hours were considerably more successful than those fishing during the afternoon and evening. White and other light-colored spoons produced the most success.

Ramp: A wide variety of fish species were targeted and harvested throughout the week. Anglers experienced the most success with chinook salmon while fishing in approximately 80 to 90 feet of water with lines set 45 to 50 feet down. White, red and blue spoons were among the most commonly observed colors used successfully for salmon. Many coho salmon and rainbow trout were harvested as well. A few anglers specifically targeting lake trout also returned with several fish.