Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - October 18, 2021

Fishing reports are updated once per week on Tuesdays and is subject to change based on the availability of reports and the work schedules of field staff.

Fishing report information comes from creel survey clerks, who work in the lakeshore areas from March through October, and in the tributary rivers seasonally in spring and fall. The report includes a large segment of information pulled from a variety of days, times and locations to reflect current fishing and harvest efforts. 

Additional fishing information can be found by contacting local bait shops, charter captains and marinas.

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 the waters of Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and the Wisconsin/Michigan, Wisconsin/Minnesota and Wisconsin/Iowa boundary waters.

• Green Bay Fishing Report
• Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report
• Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Oct. 18, 2021: Green Bay Fishing Report

Fox River And Metro Boat Launch

• Success on walleye was reported by boaters at the Metro Boat Launch. Anglers reported having success using artificial baits, flicker minnows and crawler harnesses in waters that were 9 -14 feet deep. 

Green Bay

East Shoreline Of Green Bay: 

• Water temperatures reported this week ranged from 63 - 66 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• Fishing and boating were slow this weekend due to high winds and cooler temperatures. 
• Bayshore Park Boat Launch: Boaters had success on yellow perch using minnows. One boater reported having some success on walleye using stickbaits. 
• Chaudoir's Dock: Some success on yellow perch was reported using minnows. Boaters reported having success on walleye using zip lures and nightcrawlers. 
• Little Sturgeon Bay at Robert M. Carmody Boat Launch: Reports of success on yellow perch using minnows. A boater also reported having success on walleye using crankbaits. Some boaters also reported success on northern pike with minnows and large suckers

West Shoreline Of Green Bay:

• Geano Beach: There were not many creel surveys conducted at this location this week, but the interviews that were conducted were of people who were duck hunting.
• Suamico River: Shore anglers reported success catching yellow perch, pumpkinseeds, and round gobies. 
• Longtail Point: Boat launches were busier than the previous week, but remain less active this week.
• Duck Creek: Shore anglers reported success catching yellow perch using minnows. Boat anglers have reported catching yellow perch, black crappies and round gobies on minnows. There were also duck hunters using these locations to launch their boats.
• Fox River and the Metro Boat Launch: Shore anglers have reported catching yellow perch, carp, sheepsheads, and round gobies on a mix of nightcrawlers, minnows and soft plastics. Boat anglers have reported catching walleyes, northern pikes and catfish on crankbaits. They also reported catching walleyes and white bass on jigging raps. Purple and green were reported to be effective colors for the crankbaits and jigs. The water temperatures were reported to be around 60 degrees Fahrenheit by Sunday October 17th.

Marinette County

• Menominee River anglers were trying for walleyes or trout and salmon. Most were finding a few smallmouth and rock bass with the occasional walleye. Areas from the dam downstream to the Hwy. 41 bridge were most popular. Anglers reported the need for some rain and cooler water temps to hopefully bring in some fish. Angling effort at Red Arrow Park increased this week with perch being the targeted species. Boat anglers fishing the “pocket” were having good luck for perch with early morning hours being best. Minnows were the bait of choice.

Oconto County

• Most fishing activity was seen by shore anglers this week with an increase in duck hunters using the launches than fishing boats. The ditches along County Hwy Y and the shore at Oconto Park II were popular with perch anglers. Perch were being caught in good numbers but a lot of sorting was needed to find keepers. Minnows were working best. Northern pike, bowfin, and rock bass were also occasionally being caught. Water temps were still above 60 degrees Fahrenheit at the end of the week.

Oct. 18, 2021: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

• Kenosha Piers and Shoreline: The piers and shorelines in Kenosha continue to see plenty of angling activity as the season progresses. Most anglers are being seen fishing the further inland stretches of the harbor. Fishing with eggs and a slip bobber continues to be the most commonly seen fishing setup at this time of the year. Anglers are still targeting salmon, but now are waiting for steelhead and browns to start making an appearance. Success has still been low despite the steady angling effort. A small mix of kings and cohos were caught on a combination of eggs or vertically jigging a tube jig.  
• Kenosha Ramps: The ramp in Kenosha went nearly unused this week. One or two boat trailers were seen throughout the entire week. Fishing boat activity has shut off almost completely as the weather gets colder, and the lake gets rougher. No catches were recorded as the fishing season will quickly be coming to an end.
• Pike River: The Pike River experienced a slight increase in angling activity over the past week. Despite the increase in activity, the number of anglers has still been low during this time of the fishing season. A few anglers were seen fishing farther up the river than what was seen in recent weeks. There has also been noticeably more angling activity near the mouth now that it has been opened again recently. Anglers were seen using artificial baits as well as fishing with bobbers in order to catch salmon. Even though more angling effort was seen on the river last week, no catches were recorded.

Racine County

• Racine Piers and Shoreline: The piers and shorelines of Racine went nearly unused this week. Only a few anglers were seen fishing on the harbor side of the lake as the piers continue to be tough to fish due to the waves. Anglers are probably still targeting salmon or possibly brown trout or steelhead now that water temperatures have dropped. The few anglers out were seen throwing artificial baits as well as fishing with slip bobbers. No catches were recorded.  
• Racine Ramp:  Activity at the boat ramp went completely quiet this week. Weather on the lake has been windy which has increased waves. Trying to fish in such conditions would be very tough. As fall continues, the open water fishing season on the lake appears over for most.  
• Root River: The Root River experienced a sizeable increase in angling activity this week despite already high angling efforts over the previous few weeks. Anglers are now being seen fishing from the mouth all the way up to the dam whereas previously anglers were crowding around the steelhead facility. All anglers are continuing to target coho or chinook salmon as the run progresses. Fly fishing is still the most common method being used to catch fish. Some anglers are being seen fishing with spawn as well. The majority of anglers went home empty-handed. A relatively small mix of coho and chinook salmon were caught using flies. Hopefully, fishing will improve as the water temperatures drop from the colder days. Water levels and flow are still very low in most spots on the river.  The water temperature near the steelhead facility at the end of the week was 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Milwaukee County

• Southern Milwaukee County: Grant Park had light fishing activity; however, many anglers were fishing upstream on Oak Creek, where Chinook were caught, mostly on flies. The water level was low. Oak Creek Power Plant had light fishing activity, but no fish caught during survey times.  
• Northern Milwaukee County: McKinley ramp had minimal activity and McKinley pier had light fishing activity, with nothing reported caught. Summerfest had light fishing activity with no catches reported. Water temperature was 62-63 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Milwaukee River: Many anglers were catching Chinook at Kletzsch Park and Estabrook Park using flies, egg flies, yarn and spoons. Additionally, there were some anglers fishing under Capitol Drive. There was moderate fishing activity near North Avenue where anglers were catching Chinook on skein and flies, but also hoping to catch rainbow trout. Carp were also caught on corn in Lincoln Park. River level was up slightly.
• Menomonee River: There were a few anglers fishing the Menomonee this week with most of the activity near Miller Park and MMSD. The river level was low.
   

Ozaukee County

• Port Washington: The weekend was cool to chilly, windy and mostly clear with some clouds over the lake Saturday. Sauk Creek (57°F) was slightly up, swift and mostly clear. Anglers fished at all access points but focused their efforts at the marina piers and the outflow. Anglers caught Chinook, with most success on the breakwalls and near the ramp using red egg sacs. A brown, Chinook, and coho were caught within 50 feet of water via boat. Bites occurred both in the morning and in the evening.

Sheboygan County

• Sheboygan: Sunday was cool, windy and mostly sunny. The Pigeon River (59°F) was low and clear. Anglers focused their efforts at Pigeon River Park. Few northerns and Chinook were caught on the river, with better success earlier in the week.
• Sheboygan River: Saturday morning was chilly, windy and mostly sunny. The river (56°F) was slightly up, swift and clear.  Anglers fished along all access points. Anglers caught Chinook at Kohler Dam and at Esslingen Park throughout the day, with reports of coho and steelhead catches earlier in the week.

Oct. 18, 2021: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Manitowoc County

• Two Rivers: Several groups had success in the East and West Twin Rivers catching Chinook salmon. In the East Twin River, salmon were caught using orange and pink spawn sacks, gummy bears and red yarn balls. Additionally, groups had success using green and white jerk baits, a red/pink/white-colored spoon and a dropshot with crappies scrubs. Flow ranged from swift to average with some areas of higher water due to rain events earlier in the week. Salmon weighed from the East Twin River ranged from 10.1 lbs to 19.4 lbs. In the West Twin River salmon were caught using pink and orange spawn sacks, earplugs, yellow yarn balls, a purple fly and beads. Anglers reported seeing a lot of Chinook salmon as well as rainbow trout. Additionally, one coho salmon was caught using an orange spawn sack. An angler reported little to no baitfish in the river this week. Water remains relatively stained this past week. Most fish were reported to be located right under the dam or slightly downstream. Salmon weighed from the West Twin River ranged from 14.6 lbs to 24.3 lbs.
• Manitowoc: Manitowoc River had the most success this week with a few salmon species being caught. At the Clark’s Mill Dam, one angler had success catching a few Chinook salmon and a brown trout using red spawn sacks. Additionally, at the end of 19th street, one coho salmon was caught using an orange/silver spoon. One angling group at 19th street reported seeing some salmon and some bait in the stained water. Anglers reported higher water levels as well as increased flow due to a rain event earlier in the week. Due to windy weather, no anglers were seen fishing at the Manitowoc piers. Although no successful interviews were conducted at the Manitowoc harbor, anglers reported seeing a few fish jumping.

Kewaunee County

• Algoma: The number of pier anglers that have been fishing has decreased. Fishing activity along Stoney creek has decreased. The anglers that were interviewed fishing for salmon reported no catches. Fishing activity in the Ahnapee River has increased. Anglers were catching Chinook salmon near the Forestville Dam with orange earplugs, orange spawn sacs and multicolored spoons.
• Kewaunee: Anglers that were interviewed were catching Chinook salmon by Bruemmer County Park with orange spawn sacs, orange and red-colored flies, orange foam earplugs and orange yarn. One individual caught a rainbow trout with an orange fly. Another angler caught a coho salmon with orange yarn. The number of pier anglers fishing for Chinook salmon has decreased and one of the few anglers that were interviewed fishing the pier did not report a catch.

Door County

• The weather this week was cool and partly cloudy. The majority of days the wind kicked up and made it difficult to fish and boat. All anglers are advised to take proper caution to be safe around the waters’ edge. Fishing pressure has dropped all around Door County and very few anglers were interviewed. Water temperatures have decreased since last week and readings ranged between 55 - 58 degrees Fahrenheit.
• A few smallmouth bass were caught from around Washington Island. Bass were caught in waters between 10 to 20 feet deep on soft plastics of natural or dark blue colors. Northern pike were caught around Sturgeon Bay and Pottawatomi State Park in the shallow weed beds along the shore. Pike were caught on 3-to-4-inch crankbaits in a variety of colors.