Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - July 22, 2024

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 scheduled to be in a specific location. This allows us to generate statistically valid fishing efforts and harvest information.

Information for 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.

July 22, 2024: West Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Brown County

Duck Creek: One shore angler was interviewed this week and that angler reported catching seven smaller sunfish using live worms. There were no boating anglers interviewed this week.

Fox River Boating Anglers: This week limited fishing pressure was observed although there was moderate boating traffic. All boaters that were interviewed were not fishing.

Fox River Boating Anglers - Mouth/Metro Launch: There was heavy boating traffic observed this week, although most of the boaters that were interviewed were not fishing. The boaters that were fishing caught largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and sheepshead/drum. The anglers that reported catching smallmouth and largemouth bass were casting spinnerbaits and ned rigs in 1 to 10 feet of water. The water temperature was between 76 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fox River Shore Anglers: There was moderate fishing pressure observed this week. Anglers reported catching sheepshead/drum, white perch and channel catfish by using live nightcrawlers. 

Suamico River: There was moderate to heavy boating traffic observed this week, although most of the boaters that were interviewed were not fishing. The boaters that were fishing reported catching walleye, sheepshead/drum and white perch. The walleye anglers had mixed results with the best success from trolling crawler harnesses in 15 to 30 feet of water. The reported water temperature was around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Marinette County

Most activity at the launches was seen by anglers and pleasure boaters heading out into the bay. Both the Menominee and Peshtigo rivers had very little use. Most fishing pressure was for trout and salmon. Anglers were finding fish from the Peshtigo Light north into Michigan waters. Areas around Green and Chambers islands were holding fish as well. Browns, Chinooks, steelhead and the occasional coho were all being caught. Most boats were targeting 50 feet of water and fishing 40 feet down and deeper. spoons in various colors were popular.

Oconto County

Some good fishing was reported this past week for perch and walleyes. Anglers trolling crawler harnesses and crankbaits were catching walleyes in waters 10 to 20 feet deep. Areas off Oconto County Park 2 and south of Oconto towards Pensaukee were popular. A few anglers reported going over to Larsen’s Reef towards Sturgeon Bay as well and finding fish. Sheepshead and catfish were being caught along with the walleyes. Perch fishing continued to be good with some anglers reportedly catching their limit. The rock piles between Oconto and Oconto Park 2 remained popular. Deeper waters off the Oconto shoal and Young’s Reef had perch around as well. Minnows and crawlers were both working.

Geano Beach: This week had moderate to heavy fishing pressure. Anglers are reporting an increase in walleye catches compared to the past six to eight weeks. Anglers had success catching walleye by trolling minnowbaits and crawler harnesses in 10 to 30 feet of water. The anglers that had the best success were fishing in the 10-foot range. The water temperature was around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

July 22, 2024: East Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Bay Shore Park: There was limited fishing pressure this week. Most boating anglers were targeting walleye but had trouble finding active fish. Boating anglers also reported unintentionally catching white bass, round goby and sheepshead/drum. The water temperature was around 76 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Chaudoir’s Dock: This week had moderate fishing pressure. Boating anglers were targeting yellow perch and walleye. Walleye anglers had mixed results with the greatest success coming from trolling crank baits in 15 feet of water. Yellow perch anglers had success, with the average number of fish caught being around 8-10 yellow perch per boat. Anglers also reported unintentionally catching white perch, white bass and sheepshead/drum. The water temperature was around 70-74 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Little Sturgeon Bay: There was limited to moderate fishing pressure this week. Boating anglers were primarily targeting yellow perch and walleye. The walleye anglers had mixed results with the best report coming from anglers trolling crawler harnesses in 15 to 20 feet of water. Yellow perch anglers had the best success using live nightcrawlers and minnows in 12 feet of water. One boating angler was targeting northern pike and reported catching two northerns using minnows in 10 to 14 feet of water. Anglers also reported catching white bass, smallmouth bass, round goby and sheepshead/drum. The water temperature was 74 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sawyer Harbor: There was limited fishing pressure this week. Boating anglers were primarily targeting yellow perch. Yellow perch anglers were able to find a few fish with most boats catching 5-10 yellow perch. Most yellow perch anglers were using nightcrawlers and minnows in 9 to 12 feet of water. Anglers also reported unintentionally catching white bass, round goby and sheepshead/drum. The water temperature was between 73-76 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

July 22, 2024: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

Boat anglers report success in targeting rainbow trout, lake trout, and Chinook and coho in 120-160 feet of water. Anglers should target waters with a temperature of less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Shoreline anglers report success when targeting perch off of Kenosha piers and in Kenosha harbor. 

Milwaukee County

Fishing has slowed down as Salmon-A-Rama ended, but anglers are still having success catching Chinook and coho salmon using both flasher flies and spoons in 80-120 feet of water. Greens and glow colors are popular choices.

Racine County

Boat anglers continue to have great success when targeting Chinook, coho and rainbow trout. Anglers reported the most success in 100-150 feet of water. Shoreline anglers also continue to have success when targeting rainbow trout, coho and perch. Shoreline anglers have the most success in targeting salmon and trout when west winds bring cooler water close to shore.  

Sheboygan County 

Sheboygan Harbor and Piers: A few catches of brown trout, coho salmon and steelhead have been reported off of the North and South piers this week. Most luck has been jigging spoons in a variety of colors before the sun rises. Deland Park parking lot will be closed from Aug. 7-13 for a special event.

Sheboygan Ramps: Most boats were reporting high catches of steelhead with good catches of Chinook salmon and coho salmon as well. Spoons have been a main tactic of choice but flasher flies have also been very productive as well. Green has been the main color of choice for flasher flies and spoons. Most people are having success fishing anywhere from 80-140 feet of water. Lots of lake trout have also been biting in deeper depths trolling along the bottom using the same tactics. The Sheboygan Marina boat launch will be closed for a special event from Aug. 7-13.

Ozaukee County 

Port Washington Harbor and Piers: Lots of people have been catching a lot of smallmouth bass and bluegill off of the Coal Dock pier this week. Occasional carp, bullhead and catfish have also been caught. People have been reporting little success off of North Pier, catching Chinook and coho salmon as well as steelhead, but the main tactics of choice are jigging spoons and using live alewives.

Port Washington Ramps: Most boats have been reporting success catching high amounts of steelhead as well as good catches of Chinook and coho salmon. The main tactics of choice have been using flasher flies or spoons in anywhere from 110-130 feet of water. Some boats are also reporting catches of Chinook salmon and brown trout in depths between 40-80 feet of water. Some boats are having success on lake trout at deeper depths as well while trolling along the bottom. 

 

July 22, 2024: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Sturgeon Bay: Anglers fishing the Stone Quarry shoreline were going for primarily smallmouth bass. Smallmouth bass and sock bass were both reported caught using green hair jigs and tubes. Water clarity here was around 3 to 4 feet. In the canal, boaters were going for smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch. Smallmouth bass and yellow perch were reported caught using soft plastics, worms and minnows in around 12 feet of water. On Lake Michigan, boaters were targeting both trout and salmon with rainbow trout, coho salmon and Chinook salmon being reported caught. Depth of bites were reported to be between 30 to 120 feet down with an average range between 60 to 100 feet. The depths boaters were fishing mainly ranged from 90 to 150 feet. Both blue and light green spoons and flasher flies worked well for those who returned with fish. The trolling speed average was about 2.4 mph. Surface temperatures ranged from 64 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit with an average of around 66 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee County

Algoma: Along the shorelines of Algoma, anglers were mainly targeting northern pike and yellow perch. No fish were reported caught by those interviewed. On Lake Michigan, boaters were going for both trout and salmon with rainbow trout, coho salmon and Chinook salmon being recorded caught. The depth of bites mainly ranged between 50 to 80 feet down. The depth of water these boaters were fishing in was primarily 90 to 140 feet. Light green and blue spoons, flasher flies and J-plugs were reported to work well for those with fish. The trolling speed average was around 2.4 mph. Surface temperatures increased this week ranging from 65 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit with an average of about 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Most groups reported marking a good number of fish and bait fish throughout the week.

Kewaunee: Anglers fishing on the pier were targeting both trout and salmon with rainbow trout being recorded caught by individuals interviewed throughout the week. These fish were caught using alewife as bait. Anglers fishing along the harbor shoreline were going for common carp as well. Boaters launching out on Lake Michigan were going for both trout and salmon with rainbow trout, lake trout, coho salmon and Chinook salmon recorded caught. Depth of bites primarily came between 40 to 60 feet down. Lake trout were recorded biting 100 feet down. The depth of water these boaters were fishing in was mainly between 100 and 150 feet. Green, blue, orange and glow spoons and flasher flies were reported to work well by those with fish. The trolling speed average was about 2.3 mph. Surface temperatures increased this week as the range was 64 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit. The average was around 66 degrees Fahrenheit. Markings of fish and bait fish were prevalent throughout the week.

Manitowoc County

Chinook and rainbow trout catches have remained consistent. Groups are averaging about four fish per trip. A few groups have recorded 9, 13 and 15 fish. Cohos and lake trout have been sporadically mixed in. Most groups have had success from 80-150 feet. Anglers reported 90-110 feet frequently. Trolling speeds have ranged from 2.0-2.5 mph. Surface temps have been reported from 62-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures at 90 feet are hovering around 51 degrees Fahrenheit. Most anglers are having success with a mix of spoons and flasher flies. Some groups have seen most of their catch on spoons. Anglers fishing from the piers have been targeting coho and rainbows with some success. Anglers in Manitowoc have been catching freshwater drum. Most anglers have been using spoons.