Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - May 11, 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.

 

May 11, 2026: West Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Brown County

Fox River Shore: Moderate fishing pressure was observed among shore anglers targeting white bass. Low catches were reported among these anglers with most stating the white bass run hasn’t started yet. Most anglers were using soft plastics or flies on jigs or three ways. Shore anglers reported catching good numbers of freshwater drum.

Suamico River: Walleye anglers continued to have good luck fishing out of Suamico. Trolling crawler harnesses proved to be effective. Most walleyes caught were between 20-25 inches. Wind was a driving factor in how long people stayed. Water temperatures were around 53-54 degrees Fahrenheit.

Marinette County

Not many anglers were seen this week on the Menominee and Peshtigo Rivers. Cooler temps and wind were present much of the week causing poor conditions. Some walleyes were still being caught, especially in the bay south of the Menominee River towards Little River. Anglers were having luck with hair jigs and jigs and crawlers. Water temps were still on the cold side with upper 40s reported in the bay.

Oconto County

Good walleye fishing was seen this week with best reports from the Pensaukee ramp, followed by Oconto County Park 2 and then Oconto Harbor. Best tactics were trolling crawler harnesses in shallow water of 4 to 8 feet. Wonderbread and purple and white blades were reported as good colors. Most walleye were in the 19-to-24-inch range with a few larger fish up to 27 inches caught. Other species caught were white perch, northern pike and catfish. A few northern pike were being caught off the Oconto pier on dead baits. The occasional bowfin was also being caught. Water temperature was around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

May 11, 2026: East Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Bayshore Park/Eagle's Nest: Limited fishing activity was observed at these two launches this week. A few fishing parties that were targeting walleyes stated they marked large schools of fish in about 20 feet of water but were unsuccessful at getting them to bite.

Chaudoir’s Dock: Windy conditions kept many anglers off the water, especially over the weekend. One party fishing walleye managed to catch 15 casting rattle baits as well as trolling crank baits. All walleyes were caught in less than 15 feet of water, and the surface temperature was 54-55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Little Sturgeon Bay: Anglers targeting smallmouth bass had the best success fishing rock points, reefs and humps in water depths between 5 and 15 feet using tube rigs. Some anglers stated the water temperature was still too cold for smallmouth bass. Anglers targeting walleye mostly had limited success, although a few anglers had some success catching walleye using hair jigs in depths under 17 feet. The water temperature over the weekend was 48-50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sawyer Harbor: Moderate fishing activity was observed this week. Walleye anglers had the best success fishing with hair jigs in depths under 18 feet of water. Anglers targeting smallmouth bass had limited success. Some shore anglers fishing in Potawatomi State Park observed smallmouth bass cruising near the shore in the shallows but were unable to catch any.

 

May 11, 2026: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Sturgeon Bay: In town, shoreline anglers were targeting and catching smallmouth bass using a mix of soft and hard plastics. On the north end of Sturgeon Bay, shoreline anglers were fishing for walleye. Boaters were mainly going after smallmouth bass (~ 6 to 12 feet of water), walleye (~ 12 to 16 feet of water) and northern pike (~ 15 to 25 feet of water) with all three species being reported caught. Artificial lures being preferred by smallmouth and walleye anglers, and live bait for northern pike. Surface temperatures ranged from 46 to 53 degrees Fahrenheit with an average of around 49 degrees.

Kewaunee County

Algoma: Along the Ahnapee River, anglers were targeting northern pike. The river’s water level has lowered since last week. Visibility was around one foot. Boaters launching out on Lake Michigan were focusing on brown trout. Surface temperature near the shorelines was around 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

May 11, 2026: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

Ramps: Shore anglers in Kenosha have had success catching coho from both the north and south piers. Most fish have been caught from the east end of the south pier, but anglers need to arrive early to get a prime spot. White tube jigs tipped with shrimp have been the most productive, and some coho have also been caught by anglers casting spoons. Kenosha trollers have been catching limits of coho in 30 feet of water just outside the harbor. Dodgers fished with peanut flies have been taking fish.

Milwaukee County

North Milwaukee: Mostly people are targeting coho at 30-50 feet depth in 50-110 feet of water. They used flasher flies, flashers, spoons and J plugs in a variety of colors. Greens, orange/yellows and blue/silvers were the most used colors in people that landed limits.

South Milwaukee: People are mostly fishing for coho at 20-30 feet depth in 50-80 feet of water. Green, orange and orange/black were the most used colors in people that landed limits.

Ozaukee County

Fishing effort remained moderate throughout the week. On Friday, anglers were very successful in harvesting brown trout near shore using orange spawn sacks in shallow water. As the weather warmed, the number of anglers increased on Saturday morning. Weather conditions remained steady throughout Sunday, which led to a notable increase in boat angler activity. Coho salmon began biting Sunday morning, with a total of three harvested by boat anglers.

Racine County

Ramp: Fishing effort has been high in Racine. Anglers on the south pier have been catching coho on tube jigs tipped with shrimp. Trollers have been catching limits of coho from outside the harbor mouth as well as in 90-100 feet of water. Peanut flies in a variety of colors have been productive.

Sheboygan County

Fishing effort was moderate to poor throughout the weekend, with little harvest success. A small number of brown trout were harvested by boat anglers. Many anglers targeted coho salmon but had no success. Warm and sunny conditions continued through the end of the weekend, increasing boat angler activity.