Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - Feb. 16, 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.

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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.

Ice Safety

There is no such thing as safe ice. You cannot judge the strength of ice by one factor such as 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 water body. 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 and 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.

 

Feb. 16, 2026: West Shore Green Bay Ice Creel Report

Fox River Route

Fox Point and Ashwaubomay Park: A few anglers had light catches of walleyes. There were reports that the current was quickly eating away at the ice in front of the landing and upstream. Anglers who fished near shore reported 10 inches of ice at the end of the weekend.

Voyageur Park and Perkofski Landing: Warming weather changed the ice conditions by the end of the weekend. Anglers reported that weekday ice of 17 to 20 inches had dropped to 12 inches or less, with some open water in the main river channel. Anglers had decent luck finding walleyes. A couple of fish per angler was common. Fish size varied from day to day, with many around 10 inches being caught.

Oconto Route

Menominee River: A little more open water was present up by the dam, with a few anglers taking advantage of it on the Michigan side. There was still a lot of ice from the railroad bridges downstream. A few anglers were seen on the ice by Sixth Street landing, fishing in shallow water. No activity was seen elsewhere on the river.

Oconto City Park: Some better perch catches were reported this week from 9 to 11 feet of water. Averages of 6 to 10 perch per angler were reported.

Oconto County Parks and Harbor: High numbers of anglers were seen between the two sites. Most were after perch, and they were having decent luck during the week. Weekend traffic seemed to really reduce the perch activity, with most anglers catching only a few. Walleye and whitefish were also being caught. Some were caught while perch fishing, but a few anglers were targeting them, especially off the river mouth. Anglers reported that the ice heave had pushed up a little higher this week and was getting hard to find places to cross. Most were staying inside the crack.

Peshtigo River Mouth: Fishing pressure was light during the week, with increased pressure over the weekend. Several shacks were seen being placed along the shore for upcoming fishing events.

Suamico Route

Geano Beach: Fewer anglers were seen this week. Perch and walleye were still being caught, but in fewer numbers. Low-light periods were proving to be most productive.

Long Tail Point: Anglers were finding a few more active perch than in previous weeks. The best action was coming from small jigs tipped with waxworms. Most anglers were heading south out of the access area to fish. A few northern pike were also caught from the same area.

Sunset Beach Lane: Anglers were out in moderate numbers this week. A few perch were being caught, but anglers reported mostly small fish.

 

Feb. 16, 2026: East Shore Green Bay Ice Creel Report

Bayshore Route: There was moderate to heavy fishing activity observed this week. Anglers targeting lake whitefish had the best success by going out of Bayshore County Park and using wax worms and smaller plastic jigs.

George K. Pinney County Park and Pebble Beach Lane: There was an increase in anglers going out on the ice off Pebble Beach Lane this week. There was also an increase in anglers going out at George K. Pinney County Park. Two parties were interviewed at this access site; both groups were targeting northern pike but didn’t catch any fish.

Little Sturgeon Bay: There was moderate fishing activity within Little Sturgeon Bay. Anglers targeting yellow perch had some success, though most caught were on the smaller side. There was heavy fishing pressure from anglers targeting lake whitefish that were accessing the ice from Lime Kiln Road, Big Rock Place and Sand Bay Resort. Lake whitefish anglers had mixed results, with the best success coming from anglers using wax worms and plastic jigs.

Sawyer Harbor: There was heavy fishing activity from anglers accessing the ice from Oak Avenue and Cliff View Drive. Anglers targeting whitefish had the best success fishing off Larson's Reef in around 50 to 70 feet of water using smaller plastic jigs. Anglers targeting yellow perch out of Potawatomi State Park had some success, although most of the perch caught were on the smaller side.

 

Nov. 17, 2025: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

The 2025 open water creel season has ended for Northern Lake Michigan. Thank you to all those who participated in the survey this year. We look forward to seeing everyone again next spring!

 

Nov. 17, 2025: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

The 2025 open-water creel season has ended for Southern Lake Michigan, including Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties. Thank you to all those who participated in the survey this year. We look forward to seeing everyone again next spring!