Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - Aug. 3, 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. 3, 2026: West Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Brown County

Fox River: Anglers were observed targeting a variety of species, but the most common were channel catfish, freshwater drum and smallmouth bass. Fishing pressure was observed to be the highest near dark. Anglers having the most success were using live bait on bottom rigs and bobbers. Anglers also caught yellow perch, flathead catfish, white perch and white bass. 

Fox River Mouth: Most interviews were taken from pleasure boaters; however, some anglers ventured out into the bay targeting walleye. One angler had success using tube and hair jigs and reported catching walleye, white perch and freshwater drum.

Suamico River: Fishing pressure was limited throughout the week due to strong north winds, but some anglers were observed targeting yellow perch and walleye. Perch anglers were having the best luck using live bait. Minnows and night crawlers seemed to be working the best when paired with drop shots and slip bobbers. Most perch anglers found success in 15 to 20 feet of water, and a few anglers reported catching their limits. Walleye anglers on average caught seven walleye per trip, with many of them being larger than 20 inches, but a few anglers also mentioned catching undersized walleye. Successful anglers had the best luck trolling in 20 to 30 feet of water using crawler harnesses, flicker shads and jigging spoons, but harnesses seemed to be the most popular. Anglers also reported catching white perch, freshwater drum, channel catfish and even a bowfin.

Marinette County

North winds this week brought in warm water for trout and salmon anglers. Most anglers were still catching salmon but were finding them in deeper waters. The near shore bite in waters less than 70 feet of water was unproductive. A mix of spoons and flasher and flies were catching salmon. A few walleye and sheepshead were also being caught while targeting salmon. The offshore walleye bite was good last week, with anglers finding fish around Green Island and Chambers Island. Trolling crankbaits or casting jig and crawlers was most popular. Most fish were 24 inches and larger, with most fish reported as being released.

Oconto County

Some days with north winds changed conditions on the bay and kept some anglers off the water with wavy conditions. Those that were trying had decent luck for perch and walleye. Lots of little perch were being caught in the 3- to 5-inch range as well as a handful of keepers per angler out of Oconto County Park 2. Weeds and rocks in 10 to 12 feet of water was popular. Most walleye anglers were targeting deeper water of 20 to as much as 40 feet. Fishing for suspended fish seemed to be most productive. Crawler harnesses, crankbaits and slip bobbers with crawlers were all taking fish. Sheepshead were also being caught by both perch and walleye anglers.

Geano Beach: No report available this week.

 

Aug. 3, 2026: East Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Bayshore Park: Heavy fishing pressure was observed this week. Anglers targeting yellow perch had great success fishing near Red River and just north of Bayshore Park. The sizes of the yellow perch that were kept ranged from 8 to 13 inches, with a few anglers keeping their limit. Anglers targeting walleye had the best success fishing in between 10 to 18 feet of water just south of Bayshore Park by trolling flicker minnows. Anglers also unintentionally caught drum/sheepshead, white perch and channel catfish. The water temperature was around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eagle's Nest: Limited to moderate fishing activity was observed this week. Anglers targeting yellow perch had the best success fishing near Vincent's Point in around 15 feet of water using live nightcrawlers. The reported water temperature was around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

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

Little Sturgeon Bay: Heavy fishing pressure was observed this week. There were two different walleye tournaments this week, which resulted in heavy fishing pressure for walleye. Walleye anglers had the best success fishing near Larson's Reef and Snake Island by jigging nightcrawlers in around 18 to 30 feet of water. Anglers also caught a few walleyes in the shipping canal. There were no anglers interviewed who were targeting yellow perch this week. The reported water temperature was around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sawyer Harbor: Limited fishing activity was observed this week. Anglers targeting walleye had the best success fishing off Larson's Reef by jigging nightcrawlers in between 15 to 30 feet of water. There were no anglers interviewed who were targeting yellow perch this week. The reported water temperature was around 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Aug. 3, 2026: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Egg Harbor Pier: Anglers targeted smallmouth bass, yellow perch and rock bass. Worms were effective for perch and smallmouth bass, while leeches and Ned rigs also produced good results. Peninsula Pier anglers targeted smallmouth bass and panfish. At Egg Harbor Ramp, anglers caught smallmouth bass using drop-shot rigs with flatworms and Ned rigs. Sister Bay anglers reported success targeting smallmouth bass and perch. Pier anglers used worms and crawlers, while boat anglers launching from Sister Bay caught smallmouth bass using worms. Catches ranged from 16 to 18.5 inches and 2.5 to 4 pounds.

Gill's Rock: At Gill’s Rock Ramp, anglers fished in 125 to 140 feet of water and caught Chinook salmon 55 to 80 feet down. Spoons were the most productive presentation, with anglers having success on a variety of colors, although green was the most used. One incidental brown trout was also caught. Surface water temperature was 67°F. At Baileys Harbor Ramp, anglers targeted Chinook salmon and rainbow trout in 80 to 120 feet of water, with most fish caught 50 to 90 feet down on flasher flies and spoons. Surface water temperature was 68°F. 

Green Bay: Most shore anglers continued targeting smallmouth bass, although catch rates were generally low. At Sister Bay Pier, many anglers were fishing recreationally with worms rather than targeting a specific species, though most still hoped to catch smallmouth bass. Drop-shot rigs and worms were the most common presentations, but success was limited. At Ephraim/Anderson Dock and Egg Harbor Pier, smallmouth bass remained the primary target, with most anglers fishing worms. Peninsula State Park Pier anglers targeted smallmouth bass, rock bass and yellow perch. Some rock bass and smallmouth bass were caught on worms, although anglers also were catching large numbers of round gobies.

Lake Michigan: Boat anglers continued targeting Chinook salmon and rainbow trout. At Gill’s Rock Ramp, anglers fished in 125 to 140 feet of water and caught Chinook salmon 55 to 80 feet down. Spoons were the most productive presentation, with anglers having success on a variety of colors, although green was the most used. One incidental brown trout was also caught. Surface water temperature was 67°F. At Baileys Harbor Ramp, anglers targeted Chinook salmon and rainbow trout in 80 to 120 feet of water, with most fish caught 50 to 90 feet down on flasher flies and spoons. Surface water temperature was 68°F. At Rowley’s Bay, shore anglers reported occasional catches of smallmouth bass using worms and swimbaits. Boaters launching from the ramp averaged about five smallmouth bass per outing while fishing in 4 to 6 feet of water with jig-and-tube combinations in green pumpkin and goby patterns. Fish were up to approximately 5 pounds. Surface water temperatures ranged from 65–69°F.

Sturgeon Bay: Anglers fishing the shorelines were mainly targeting smallmouth bass and rock bass. Smallmouth bass were caught with darker colored soft plastics being used. Boaters in the canal reported catching white perch and freshwater drum typically using worms and minnows. Surface temperatures in the canal stayed around 72 degrees Fahrenheit. On Lake Michigan, boaters were targeting trout and salmon. Rainbow trout and Chinook salmon were the species most frequently caught. Reported depth of bites were 40 to 65 feet down with groups mostly fishing in 80 to 120 feet of water. Darker-colored spoons were used the most followed by flasher flies. The surface temperatures averaged around 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee County

Algoma: Pier anglers were fishing for both trout and salmon. Chinook salmon were caught from those surveyed during the week. Blue spoons were preferred by these anglers. Off the ramp, boaters fishing for trout and salmon reported catching rainbow trout, lake trout and Chinook salmon throughout the week. Most of the fish caught were Chinook salmon. Most bites came between 35 to 50 feet down with boaters primarily fishing in 80 to 110 feet of water. Surface temperatures ranged from 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee: The pier and shorelines were busy again this week with anglers targeting trout and salmon. Chinook salmon were caught with many groups using green and blue colored jigging spoons and Cleos. Boaters were also fishing for trout and salmon on Lake Michigan with rainbow trout and Chinook salmon being caught. Most bites fell between 20 to 40 feet and groups were mainly fishing in 80 to 100 feet of water. Blue spoons and flasher flies were used most often. Surface temperature averaged 58 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Manitowoc County

Anglers have had good success catching Chinook salmon and have also caught some rainbow trout. The average group caught four to six fish per trip. Anglers reported catching fish from 50-100 feet. Surface temperature ranged from 60-64 degrees, with anglers reporting 53 degrees 40-50 feet down. Most of the fish were caught on spoons with a few on flasher flies. Green/white combos worked well. Anglers fishing the piers have caught a few fish using casting spoons with silver and green being the most effective options.

 

Aug. 3, 2026: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

Ramps: No report available this week.

Pier/Shore: No report available this week.

Milwaukee County

North Milwaukee: A larger than normal amount of pleasure boats were using the ramp at McKinley, often causing a little backup for the anglers returning to shore in the late morning/midday. Water temps have fallen since the previous weeks, and this allowed anglers to remain closer to shore. Most fishermen were in 50-85 feet of water and found success in the early morning hours with a flasher fly set up and then switching to spoons (mostly greens and blues) after sunrise. Anglers from shore were targeting smallmouth bass and panfish almost exclusively.

South Milwaukee: South Shore ramp was very similar to reports from the McKinley Ramp -- 60-90 feet of water and flasher fly set up transitioning to spoons after sunrise. The South Shore ramp also had a large amount of pleasure boaters.

Ozaukee County

Pier/Shore: Throughout the weekend, fishing effort declined due to weather conditions. On Friday, anglers were successful when targeting Chinook salmon using shrimp and spoons as bait. Beach hazard statements went into effect Saturday through Sunday inhibiting many anglers from fishing. On Sunday, a couple of anglers were fishing without success.

Ramp: Many Chinook salmon, Coho salmon and rainbow trout were harvested Friday morning. Many anglers were coming in with their limits. Most of the successful anglers were trolling North about 3 miles from shore. Flasher flies and spoons were mainly used with bait being about 40 feet under the surface. A hazardous beach advisory hindered fishing efforts on Saturday and Sunday.

Racine County

Ramps: No report available this week.

Pier/Shore: No report available this week.

Sheboygan County

Pier/Shore: High fishing effort and success occurred early Friday morning with many anglers coming in with Chinook salmon from the North pier using spoons as bait. Rainbow trout were also harvested from those targeting them, as well as anglers who were targeting Chinook salmon with spoons. As the week went on, fishing effort decreased due to beach hazard statements and cold-rainy weather conditions. As the weather cleared, fishermen began fishing off the South pier. No anglers observed had success when targeting both salmon species and trout on the South pier Sunday.

Ramp: The weekend started off strong with many anglers coming in with their limits on Friday morning. Large rainbow trout were harvested as well as Chinook salmon. Many successful anglers were trolling north using spoons set at about 45 feet below the surface. Saturday and Sunday's fishing efforts were limited due to the forecasted weather and beach hazard statements. Those who went out Sunday morning had no success.