Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - May 15, 2023

Fishing Wisconsin

Generally, fishing reports will be updated weekly on Tuesdays. This may change based on the reports' availability 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, marinas, etc.

Sign up to get the latest fishing information on Lake Michigan.

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 15, 2023: Green Bay / Peshtigo Area Fishing Report

East Shoreline Of Green Bay

Bayshore Park

  • There was limited to heavy fishing activity observed this week. The days that had a limited amount of anglers had windy and wavy conditions. All boating anglers that were interviewed were targeting walleye. The anglers that had the best success were trolling flicker minnows and shads. The number of reported walleyes caught per boat ranged from 0 to 12 fish. There were a few shore anglers observed, although there were no reported catches. The reported water temperature ranged from 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chaudoir’s Dock

  • There was limited to moderate fishing activity observed this week. Part of the week had rainy and wavy conditions. All anglers that were interviewed were targeting walleye, and they had the best success trolling flicker minnows and shad. The number of reported walleyes caught per boat ranged from 0 to 10 fish. The reported water temperature ranged from 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Little Sturgeon Bay

  • There was moderate to heavy fishing activity observed this week. Boating anglers were mainly targeting smallmouth bass, and a few were targeting walleye. The walleye anglers had the best success trolling flicker minnows. The number of reported walleyes caught per boat ranged from zero to four fish. There was a smallmouth bass tournament during the weekend, which resulted in heavy fishing pressure. The smallmouth bass anglers had the best success casting plastic tubes, swimbaits and jerk baits. The number of reported smallmouth bass caught per boat ranged from 0 to 40 fish. The reported water temperature ranged from 51 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit.

Red River Park

  • There were no anglers observed at this location this week.

Sawyer Harbor

  • There was limited to moderate fishing activity observed this week. Part of the week had windy and rainy conditions. Boating anglers were targeting walleye and smallmouth bass. There were no reported walleye catches this week from the anglers that were interviewed. The smallmouth bass anglers had the best success casting plastic tubes and hair jigs. The number of reported smallmouth bass caught ranged from 0 to 30 fish. The reported water temperature was between 51 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

West Shoreline Of Green Bay

Brown County

  • Duck Creek: Limited anglers were using Duck Creek, with the primary catch being walleye.
  • Fox River Boating Anglers: The primary location that anglers were launching from was the Metro Boat launch. All boaters that were interviewed were primarily targeting walleye, with boaters being able to catch some white bass as well. Anglers ended up catching 0 to 3 white bass and 0 to 10 walleye per boat. The average water temperature observed was approximately 43 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and most anglers were using crank baits and crawler harnesses.
  • Fox River Shore Anglers: There was moderate fishing pressure at the beginning of this week, primarily due to a fishing tournament taking place last Sunday. A large amount of shore anglers were targeting white bass, with the best bait being minnows. The anglers reported light catches at the beginning of the week, but gradually caught more white bass as the week progressed, averaging 0 to 15 per person by the weekend. 
  • Longtail Point: No anglers were observed this week. 
  • Suamico River: There were many boating anglers observed during the beginning of the week, but the number of boats slowly dwindled moving into Mother’s Day weekend. There were very few shore anglers, with the primary catch being a few black crappies among shore anglers. The primary species that boating anglers were catching were walleye, with boats reporting catching 0 to 4 walleye. The lures that had the best results were crankbaits and crawler harnesses. The average water temperature observed was approximately 43 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit.

Marinette County

  • Walleye were being caught in the Menominee River, especially in the lower stretch from the Menekaunee Bridge to the mouth of the river. Three-way rigs with flies or stick baits were working well. The Peshtigo River was producing walleyes as well from the mouth and upstream about halfway to the dam. Casting stick baits, crankbaits, and jigs with crawlers were working. A few smallmouth bass were also active in the river. Anglers in the bay between Peshtigo and Marinette were finding walleyes as well when the wind cooperated. Trolling crawler harnesses and stick baits around 10 to 20 feet were working best. 

Oconto County

  • Geano Beach: There were a fair number of trailers using this launch, with walleye being the primary species targeted. Boats reporting catching anywhere from 0 to 10 walleyes with crankbaits and crawler harnesses having the best success. 
  • Walleye fishing remained good this week for anglers on the bay. Most were fishing in the 5-to-10-foot range, with trolling being popular. The best baits were crawler harnesses and crankbaits like flicker shads. Areas off Oconto Park II and south of Oconto to Pensaukee were popular. A few walleyes were still being caught in the river around Holtwood Campground. Jigs with crawlers were working. A few smallmouth bass and northern pike were also being caught.

May 15, 2023: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

  • Kenosha Piers and Shoreline: Lake Michigan had strong surges and waves, depending on wind speed. The waters were clear and blue. The water temperature was 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Anglers were successfully catching coho salmon with the use of jigs, flies and spinners.
  • Kenosha Ramps: Multiple trailers were parked at Simmons Island Marina, and several vessels could be observed in the bay. Crews were successfully catching coho salmon and chinook salmon with the use of jigs, spoons and flies.
  • Pike River: The Pike River was running quickly with clear water. The water temperature was 46 degrees Fahrenheit. No successful anglers were interviewed during survey times. 

Racine County

  • Racine Piers and Shoreline: Lake Michigan had strong surges and waves, depending on wind speed. The waters were clear and blue. The water temperature was 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Anglers were successfully capturing coho salmon with the use of jigs, flies and spinners.
  • Racine Ramps: A few trailers were parked at Pershing Park, and a few vessels could be observed in the bay. Crews were successfully catching coho salmon with the use of feather flies.
  • Root River: The water temperature was 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Anglers were catching juvenile largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and bluegill with the use of jigs and poppers.

Milwaukee County

  • Milwaukee Ramps: Anglers were having success catching small coho salmon using spoons and marabou jigs.

Ozaukee County

  • Port Washington Harbor and Piers: A few brown trout caught off the south pier with shad and a few anglers netting alewives on the south pier. The water temperature was 58 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Port Washington Ramps: A few anglers are finding success on coho just outside Port Harbor in 50 feet of water on flies.  
  • Sauk Creek: No anglers viewed. Low water level. The water temperature was 62 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sheboygan County

  • Rivers: Fishing pressure has been low on both the Sheboygan and Pigeon rivers. The water temperature was 60 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Sheboygan Ramps: A few anglers are finding success on coho south of the power plant in 50 feet of water using spoons.

May 15, 2023: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Manitowoc County

  • Anglers fishing on the Manitowoc and Branch rivers were able to catch some smallmouth bass using pumpkin tube jigs and silver/white paddle tails. One angling party fishing the shoreline of Manitou Park on the Manitowoc River caught some small channel catfish and bullhead using crawlers and leeches. Anglers have been using the Shoto ramp to fish the West Twin River and managed to catch some northern pike and smallmouth bass. On a warmer day when the water temperature was 59 degrees Fahrenheit, an angler did well using a firetiger flicker shad. A white spinner bait was the go-to lure for an angler fishing for pike along the West Twin at the Shoto Conservation Club shoreline, and an angler fishing farther upstream by the smaller dam caught some fingerling rainbow trout and a brook trout. On Lake Michigan, one angler reported catching a small chinook salmon in deep water, and the angler reported fishing in depths down to 250 feet. The water temperatures on Lake Michigan ranged from 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee County

  • Algoma: At the Algoma piers, anglers reported seeing a few fish with a water clarity ranging from 2 inches to 2 feet. Water levels have increased at the piers over the past two weeks but remain low. Anglers reported switching currents with some mossy vegetation coming in on lines. Water clarity at Algoma shore was 1.5 feet. In the Ahnapee River, anglers reported good currents with average water levels and water clarity of 1.5 feet. Lastly, at Olson Park, boat anglers saw some fish movement while fishing in the Ahnapee River. Angler reported water clarity of 4 feet with a 67-degree Fahrenheit surface temperature at the ramp.
  • Kewaunee: In the Kewaunee River, three steelheads were caught on spawn at Bruemmer Park. Earlier in the week, anglers were reporting higher water levels and faster current with 1-foot water clarity. At the Kewaunee pier, water clarity was less than 1 foot. Boat anglers reported the water temperature at 47 degrees Fahrenheit.

Door County

  • As the weeks go by, more and more anglers can be seen all over, and more trailers are present at boat launches. The boaters are catching smallmouth bass with different types of bait, both live and artificial. Shore anglers are also catching smallmouth bass as well, with a pair catching four off Anderson Dock in Ephraim. Anglers that have been interviewed have also been targeting other fish species, such as walleye, northern pike and steelhead.