Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - Aug. 31, 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.

 

Aug. 31, 2026: West Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Brown County

Duck Creek: Anglers fishing Duck Creek this week were catching bluegill from the docks by Rivers Bend Supper Club with worms and bobbers. Water level in Duck Creek has returned to normal and is accessible to small and flat bottom boats.

Fox River: Fishing pressure varied this week based on weather. Boating anglers reported catching yellow perch, muskellunge, walleye and freshwater drum while fishing on Green Bay proper. Yellow perch were being caught in 5 to 8 feet of water around Dead Horse Bay and near Point Sable in 6 to 12 feet of water using minnows, nightcrawlers and a variety of colored plastics. Many anglers reported catching a mix of sizes of yellow perch with perch from 5-11 inches being caught and harvested yellow perch measuring between 9 to 11 inches in size. Muskellunge measured between 43 to 48 inches and were caught on crawler harnesses while out on the west shore of Green Bay. Walleye that were caught measured between 13 to 24 inches with reported catches off of west shore reefs. One angler targeting bass on Green Bay caught one smallmouth bass and three largemouth bass around Peats Lake on dark colored soft plastic jigs. Fox River shore anglers have been catching white perch, yellow perch and channel catfish at Voyager Park and near the river's mouth using baits such as shrimp and nightcrawlers on drop shot and bobber setups. Yellow perch were caught on nightcrawlers and ranged from 5 to 6 inches long. One angler caught a largemouth bass about 14 inches long at the Metro Boat Launch. Reports of various gar were seen hanging around the De Pere Dam off of Voyageur Park. Fox River temperatures ranged from 73 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the week whereas temperatures on Green Bay proper were around 71 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Suamico River: Anglers launching from Suamico River and Geano Beach struggled through rough, choppy water this week. Anglers targeting yellow perch in the evening were more successful than those fishing in the morning with many parties catching their limit within 2-3 hours. Anglers were catching yellow perch ranging from 7 to 12 inches near Pensaukee reef in 9 to 12 feet of water. Perch showed a preference for live minnows. Perch anglers also caught some channel catfish and sheephead/freshwater drum. Anglers targeting musky used large colorful jerk baits and bucktails along the shore and reported catching only a few northern pike in the mid 30-inch range.

Marinette County

Fishing activity was slightly down this week with higher winds on some days. Those that were out on good days were catching salmon and walleye in the bay. Salmon sizes were on the smaller size but a few mature fish were reported caught. Most anglers were fishing deep, targeting areas around Green Island to Chambers Island. A few walleye were also being caught while trolling for salmon. Anglers fishing shallower waters in the 40 to 60 foot range to the north and south of the Menominee River mouth were getting a mix of salmon, browns and rainbows. Walleye anglers were fishing several areas and finding fish most places. Chambers and Green Island as well as shore areas in 10 to 20 feet were good places. Jig and crawlers were working best.

Oconto County

Fishing for walleye and perch has been productive lately. Changing wind directions almost every day made fishing challenging at times. Best fishing came from anglers using slip bobbers and crawlers where a mix of both species were being caught. Weed edges in 12 to 18 feet have been good areas some days while the edge of the Oconto shoal has been good at times, too. A few large smallmouth bass were also caught along with sheepshead. A large portion of the boats out of the Pensaukee ramp were targeting musky this week. Fish were around as most anglers were seeing fish on their electronics or getting follows.

 

Aug. 31, 2026: East Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Bayshore Park: Limited to moderate fishing pressure was observed this week. Anglers targeting yellow perch had the best success fishing near Vincent's Point in around 15 feet of water and near Maccos Reef in around 18 feet of water using nightcrawlers and live minnows. Anglers targeting walleye had the best success fishing near Two Mile Reef and along the west shore of Green Bay near Geano's Reef. Anglers also unintentionally caught drum/sheepshead and white perch. The water temperature was around 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eagle's Nest: Limited to moderate fishing activity was observed this week. Anglers targeting yellow perch had the best success fishing near Vincent's Point in around 15 feet of water using a mix of nightcrawlers and minnows. Anglers also unintentionally caught white perch and freshwater drum. The water temperature was around 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chaudoir’s Dock: The Chaudoir's Dock boat launch and parking lot are closed due to dredging near the launch area.

Little Sturgeon Bay: Moderate fishing pressure was observed this week. Anglers targeting walleye had the best success trolling Flicker Minnows and jigging with plastic jigs in 15 to 25 feet of water near Henderson Point, Larson's Reef and near Geano’s Reef. Anglers targeting yellow perch had success catching larger-sized perch near Henderson Point in 25 to 27 feet of water and within Little Sturgeon Bay in around 15 feet of water. Anglers also unintentionally caught freshwater drum and white perch. The water temperature was around 71 degrees Fahrenheit this week.

Sawyer Harbor: Limited fishing activity was observed this week. There was a higher number of larger-sized perch caught within Sawyer Harbor this week in around 15 feet of water near the islands close to Potawatomi State Park. The water temperature was around 71 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Aug. 31, 2026: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Green Bay: Walleye anglers launching from Peninsula State Park Ramp fished in 15 to 40 feet of water, with water temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. At Ephraim Pier, anglers targeting smallmouth bass found success using worms and leech-style hard plastics. At Sister Bay Ramp, boat anglers targeted smallmouth bass in 8 to 30 feet of water using drop-shot rigs, with water temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Lake Michigan: At Rowley’s Bay Pier, anglers targeting smallmouth bass found success using worms. One angler noted catching 3.5 and 5-pound smallmouth bass at the same location a few days earlier using a brown spinner, as well as a 2-foot northern pike on a swimbait.

Sturgeon Bay: Anglers were primarily fishing for smallmouth bass and yellow perch while targeting the Sturgeon Bay shorelines. In addition to these species, other fish reported caught include pumpkinseed and round goby. Nightcrawlers were mostly used with some preferring bright soft plastics. Boaters positioned in and around the canal were targeting and catching a variety of species, most of which were fishing for yellow perch. These groups were mainly fishing in 10 to 16 feet of water using a mix of worms and minnows. Smallmouth bass boaters reported catches in 16 to 20 feet of water. Northern pike groups were having luck in 8 to 15 feet of water, and 20 feet of water for walleye anglers. Surface temperature average in the canal this week was 71 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee County

Algoma: Along the pier and Ahnapee River, people were out mainly targeting salmon, trout and northern pike. With rainfall late in the week, water clarity on the Ahnapee River was less than a foot. On Lake Michigan, groups reported catching Chinook salmon and rainbow trout at an even split rate. Reported bites ranged from 30 to 45 feet down, and most boats were fishing in 80 to 120 feet of water. Glow spoons and flasher flies were frequently used by those with fish. Surface temperature average was about 68 degrees Fahrenheit (comparable to the temperatures last week).

Kewaunee: Anglers fishing the pier and harbor shorelines were going after salmon, trout and smallmouth bass. Boaters on Lake Michigan reported catching Chinook salmon in mainly 90 to 100 feet of water. Fish were being caught between 50 to 60 feet down. Spoons were commonly used throughout the week. Surface temperatures remained similar to the week prior, with an average of around 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Manitowoc County

Anglers have been catching a few Chinook salmon, with just a few rainbow trout mixed in. The average over the week was 2-4 fish per group. A few groups caught 10 and one group had 11. A few groups caught fish in 60 feet of water, with most sitting in 75-100 feet. The bites were consistently coming out of the 40–50-foot level. Surface temperature was right around 68 degrees. 50 feet down, the temperatures were from 47-50 degrees. Spoons were mentioned as the best producing baits with J-plugs also catching fish. Angling effort has been consistent from the piers with only a few Chinooks caught, along with an occasional smallmouth bass. The most consistent baits have been small spoons.

 

Aug. 31, 2026: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

Groups are having success in around 60 to 150 feet of water with spoons mostly being used.

Milwaukee County

North Milwaukee: Boats out of McKinley were fishing in a couple different depths depending on if they were out on the lake or inside the breakwaters. Most boats out on the lake were in 90-150 feet of water, with most of the effort being between 95-130 feet. Boats not out on the lake were fishing primarily the main gap and the Kinnickinnic River east of the interstate 794 bridge and around the red lighthouse at Lakeshore Stata Park. Most boats out on the lake were trolling and using flasher flies J-plugs and spoons. White flashers and green, blue, white and orange spoons reportedly got the most action out on the lake away from shore. Boats fishing close to shore reported using some J-plugs but mostly were using jigging spoons. Shore-casters as a whole increased in number as the bite picked up over the last weekend and the amount of people fishing near the Red Lighthouse at Lakeshore Park increased significantly simultaneously with the large number of boats fishing on the water in that area. Spoons made up the vast majority of lures from shore, but a large amount of jigging spoons were being used by the end of the weekend, especially 3/4-1 ounces in silver, green, white or blue. Inline spinner baits and spoons proved effective at landing king and coho salmon and rainbow trout from both the McKinley Pier and Lakeshore Park near the Red Lighthouse. Some anglers in the Lakeshore lagoon area were targeting panfish but not landing any in significant numbers.

South Milwaukee: Boats out of the South Milwaukee Ramps fished at similar depths to the boats out of the North Milwaukee ramps and also reported trolling with flasher flies or spoons alone. Spoon color recommendations tended to be green or yellow for trolling. A lot of boats launched out of the southern ramps stayed close to shore however, and most joined the group sitting in the main gap or the few dozen boats fishing the waters around the Red Lighthouse. Anglers from the southern ramps also reported success with jigging spoons and the 3/4 ounces.

Ozaukee County

Pier/Shore: A moderate level of fishing effort was observed this past week. Many anglers were targeting coho and Chinook salmon, with a few targeting brown trout and rainbow trout. Anglers who began their fishing trips during the early morning hours (2–3 a.m.) experienced the greatest success. Coho salmon were biting for anglers using glow-in-the-dark baits. Spoons were also commonly used to catch both species of salmon. Spoon colors varied, but green and white were the most successful.

Ramp: Rainbow trout, coho salmon and Chinook salmon were the most targeted species throughout the week. Many anglers ended their fishing trips with catches approaching their daily limits. On Saturday, the most successful anglers were fishing in approximately 75–85 feet of water, with lines set about 45 feet down using spoons and plugs. Common spoon colors used to catch the targeted species were green and blue. A few brown trout were also harvested by anglers targeting salmon. Fishing effort was limited on Sunday due to strong winds and high waves.

Racine County

Groups are having success in around 60 to 150 feet of water with spoons mostly being used.

Sheboygan County

Pier/Shore: Extremely high fishing effort was observed throughout the entire week. Catch rates were higher than during the past month, with many anglers walking off the piers with Chinook salmon. All harvested Chinook salmon were caught using spoons and alewives. Anglers who experienced success generally began their fishing trips around 1 a.m. and finished around 6 a.m., leaving with 1–2 salmon. Although overall success was higher than in previous weeks, some anglers still returned from the piers without any fish.

Ramp: Friday and Saturday consisted of high fishing effort. Fishing success was variable, with roughly half of the boats returning with high numbers of fish, while the remaining boats reported little to no catch. Anglers who experienced greater success were primarily using red and black plugs, along with green and red spoons. The most productive anglers were trolling north in approximately 85–110 feet of water, with lines set 45–50 feet down. Crews reported no noticeable difference in catch success between downriggers and dipsy divers. Fishing effort was limited on Sunday, and those who did go out experienced low catch rates.