Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - Jan. 6, 2025

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.

 

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 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.

Jan. 6, 2025: West Shore Green Bay Ice Creel Report

Oconto Route

Menominee River: Ice fishing was taking place at the Sixth Street landing. A few pike were reported caught. Reports said the ice was around 7 inches thick as of the weekend. The rest of the river was iced over from Stephenson Island downstream, with a few open water pockets visible.

Red Arrow: No activity was seen.

Peshtigo River mouth: The bay was mainly open.

Oconto Parks: The launch area at Oconto Park 2 was busy with perch anglers. Fish were being caught but most were on the small side. The bay had shore ice with open water outside of it.

Oconto Harbor: Most of the bay was open. Anglers had some luck on northern pike.

Oconto City Park: Reports of skim ice and open water with no fishing activity observed.

Suamico Route

Geano Beach: Anglers reported open water and skim ice.

Hook Road: A few anglers were on the ice, mainly inside of Little Tail Point, as open water could be seen at the end of the point.

Suamico: Several flocks of ducks seen in pockets of open water.

Long Tail Point: Anglers reported 7 inches of ice off the Lineville Road access at the end of the week. Most were walking out with a couple smaller machines being taken out as well.

Fox River Route

Voyageur Park: Anglers were on the ice fishing from the edge of the river channel to shore. Reports of 4 inches of ice were common. Walleyes were being caught along with some whitefish. Anglers reported seeing many fish on their electronics, but getting them to bite was proving to be difficult.

Fox Point: No activity observed with open water areas present.

Metro Launch: No activity observed with skim ice and open water present.

172 Marina: A few anglers were observed, but no interviews were taken.

Ashwaubomay Park: No activity observed with areas of open water present.

Perkofski Launch: Open water was visible toward the main channel.

Jan. 6, 2025: East Shore Green Bay Ice Creel Report

Green Bay proper had open water most of the week, although temperatures dropped later in the week. Little Sturgeon Bay had some anglers, although no interviews were conducted to have information on catches or harvest. Anglers were observed going out on the ice on foot only.

Anglers were observed fishing near shore at Red River and Bayshore Park. Anglers from both locations reported catching whitefish. Anglers were observed going out on the ice on foot only. No ATVs/UTVs were observed. 

Nov. 1, 2024: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

The 2024 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!

Nov. 1, 2024: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

The 2024 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!