Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - April 7, 2025

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.

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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 7, 2025: West Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Duck Creek

No anglers were observed at this location this week.

Fox River Boating Anglers

Heavy fishing pressure was observed this week. On Saturday and Sunday, there was a walleye tournament. Anglers reported having the best success fishing finesse presentations like live night crawlers, jigs and flies. The water temperature was around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fox River Shore Anglers

Heavy fishing pressure was observed at Voyager Park in De Pere. Walleye anglers had limited success overall. The anglers that had the best success were using hair jigs and flies.

Geano Beach

The boat launch and channel are free of ice, although anglers reported that the water level is low in the channel. Limited anglers were observed, and no reported catches were made. The water temperature was around 38 degrees Fahrenheit.

Longtail Point

No anglers were observed at this location this week.

Marinette County

Menominee River anglers were having some luck on walleye throughout the river. Fish were being caught below the dam early in the week on occasion. Walleye numbers increased in the river over the weekend, with quite a few being caught on the Wisconsin side of the dam. Boat anglers reported some luck at the mouth of the river and in the turning basin off the Sixth Street landing. Jigs and minnows, blade baits, lipless crankbaits, and hair jigs were popular baits. A few steelhead were also being caught by the dam on spawn or beads. 

Anglers on the bay reported a tough bite for browns and walleyes. Cold, clear water was the general observation stated by several anglers. Best catches were reported off the mouth of the Menominee trolling spoons and stickbaits. Water temperatures in the bay were running 37 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Fishing pressure on the Peshtigo River picked up considerably toward the end of the week. Fishing from the shore below the dam was hit and miss, with the best catches reported early in the morning. The high water that was seen at the beginning of the week receded over the weekend by about 8 inches.

Oconto County

Angling pressure increased drastically over the week. Area boat launches were full over the weekend. Walleye catches were rather light with all the boat traffic around. Better catches were reported earlier in the week between the Peshtigo River and the Oconto River. Anglers were fishing in shallow and warm spots with some off-color water. Lipless crankbaits and hair jigs were working for walleyes.

Fishing at night was gaining popularity, with anglers reporting seeing lots of boats staying out after dark. Trolling stickbaits produced some nice catches, and large fish were reported. The walleye in the Oconto River started to increase in numbers toward the weekend. A few fish were being caught below Stiles Dam, below the County J bridge and around Holtwood Campground. Casting stickbaits and crankbaits were popular. Water temperatures were still rather cold, with most areas hovering around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Suamico River

Few anglers were observed this week. Walleye anglers didn't have any reported catches.

 

April 7, 2025: East Shore Green Bay Creel Report

There is no report available this week.

 

Nov. 1, 2024: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

The 2024 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!

 

Nov. 1, 2024: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

The 2024 open water creel season has ended for Northern Lake Michigan including Manitowoc, Kewaunee and open waters of Door counties. Thank you to all those who participated in the survey this year. We look forward to seeing everyone again next spring!