Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - January, 10 2022

Fishing Wisconsin

In general, fishing reports will be updated once per week, usually on Tuesdays.  This may change based on availability of reports and work schedules of field staff.

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, which allows us to generate statistically valid fishing effort and harvest information.  Information for these reports are only based on days and times of the week that creel clerks are present.

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

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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.

DNR does not verify or guarantee the reported ice conditions, and anglers should proceed at their own risk. Please use extreme caution as conditions can change rapidly.

Ice Safety

  • There is no such thing as safe ice.  You cannot judge the strength of ice by one factor like its appearance, age, thickness, temperature, or whether the ice is covered with snow.  Ice seldom freezes uniformly and can vary greatly in different areas of the same waterbody.  It is important to know before you go.  The DNR does not monitor local ice conditions or the thickness of the ice.  Local bait shops, fishing clubs, and resorts serve winter anglers every day and often have the most up to date information.  If you’re heading out onto a frozen lake for the first time, check the ice yourself and check it often.
  • Ice Safety Tips:
    • Carry some basic safety gear:  ice claws or picks, a cellphone in a waterproof case, a life jacket, and a length of rope.
    • Dress warm in layers.
    • Don't go alone. Head out with friends or family. Carry a cell phone with you an make sure someone knows where you are and when you are expected to return. 
    • Know before you go. Don't travel in areas you are not familiar with and don't travel at night during reduced visibility. 
    • Avoid inlets, outlets, or narrows that may have current that can cause thin ice. 

Jan. 10, 2022: Green Bay Fishing Report

East Shore Green Bay Ice Creel Report: 

  • Please check back again next week for up-to-date information.

West Shore Green Bay Ice Creel Report:

Marinette County

  • Menominee River:  Very little activity on the river with only 1 group seen heading out off of the Mystery Ship boat launch.
  • Red Arrow:  A permanent shack was put out this week in the pocket.  There were signs of snowmobile and ATV activity but no fishing activity.
  • Peshtigo River:  No activity seen here.  The river and bay were iced over with lots of chunk ice and shoves seen in the bay.

Oconto County

  • Oconto Parks:  Park 2 had many anglers out trying for perch.  Most were finding small perch in the 4 to 6 inch range.  No activity seen on the bay outside of either park.
  • Oconto Harbor:  Only a few anglers were seen out this week.  All access was by foot.  Open water areas could still be seen east of the river mouth.
  • Geano’s Beach:  The first signs of fishing activity was at the end of the weekend.  A couple groups were spotted just outside the entrance to the boat launch.  One group reported 4 inches of ice while targeting perch.  No perch were caught but they did manage 7 whitefish and a walleye.  They reported seeing lots of whitefish but only 1 out of 10 were willing to bite.

Brown County

  • Hook Rd:  Activity during the week was rather low with a bit more anglers out over the weekend.  Most were seen going out around first light.  ATV travel was common along with snowmobiles.
  • Suamico:  Very little anglers seen this week.  A couple anglers were off the river mouth accessing the ice from another area
  • Duck Creek:  Only 1 angler seen this week heading out.  A few people reported getting a few small perch earlier in the week but decided to fish elsewhere as the water wasn’t very deep now.
  • Fox River:  Anglers were split between using Voyageur Park and the fairgrounds boat launch this week.  Shacks could be seen across the main channel just downstream from Voyageur Park.  Anglers reported marking lots of fish but having little luck catching anything.

Nov. 1, 2021: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

  • The 2021 open water creel season has ended for Southern Lake Michigan including Racine, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Sheboygan Counties.  Thank you to all those who participated in the survey this year.  We look forward to seeing everyone again next spring!

Nov. 1, 2021: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

  • The 2021 open water creel season has ended for Northern Lake Michigan including Manitowoc, Kewaunee, and open waters of Door Counties.  Thank you to all those who participated in the survey this year.  We look forward to seeing everyone again next spring!