Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - June 5, 2023

Generally, fishing reports will be updated weekly on Tuesdays. This may change based on the reports' availability 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 scheduled to be in a specific location. This allows us to generate statistically valid fishing efforts and harvest information.

Information for 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, marinas, etc.

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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.

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

June 5, 2023: Green Bay / Peshtigo Area Fishing Report

East Shoreline Of Green Bay

Bayshore Park

• The primary species boat anglers targeted this week were walleye and yellow perch. Unfortunately, fishing was very slow, with no anglers having luck catching either species. There were no observed shore or pier anglers this week. The water temperature averaged 68-73 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chaudoir’s Dock

• The primary species that boat anglers were targeting was walleye. Unfortunately, there were none caught this week. Walleye anglers did report catching a few white bass, with reports of 2-8 white bass being caught by some boats. The water temperature averaged 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Little Sturgeon Bay

• The main species boat anglers targeted were smallmouth bass, yellow perch and muskellunge. Boats reported catching anywhere from 0-6 smallmouth bass, 0-3 yellow perch, with no muskellunge being caught. The water temperature ranged from 62-69 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sawyer Harbor

• The primary species boaters targeted were smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, yellow perch and muskellunge. Bass anglers had some success, with boats reporting catching anywhere from 0-15 smallmouth bass and 0-5 largemouth bass. Yellow perch and muskellunge anglers struggled, with no success reported for either species. Plastic minnows were the best bait for smallmouth and largemouth bass. No shore or pier anglers were observed this week. The water temperature averaged 62 degrees Fahrenheit.

West Shoreline Of Green Bay

Brown County

• Duck Creek: There was limited to moderate fishing activity observed this week. Boating anglers were targeting yellow perch with limited success. The most perch a boater reported catching was two perch. Multiple anglers stated that it’s challenging to catch perch since the carp are spawning. Shore anglers reported catching carp and bullheads using live worms. The reported water temperature ranged between 69 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Fox River Boating Anglers: There was moderate fishing pressure observed this week. Most of the boaters that were interviewed were pleasure boaters and not fishing. The boaters that were fishing were targeting yellow perch or musky. Two musky anglers were interviewed, and neither reported any catches. One perch angler reported catching 25 perch along the southwest shore of Green Bay using live nightcrawlers. The reported water temperature was around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Fox River Shore Anglers: There was heavy fishing activity observed this week. Shore anglers were targeting white bass, white perch and channel catfish. Many white bass and white perch were caught using live minnows, jigs and top water plug baits. No reported channel catfish were caught. Anglers also reported catching a high number of sheepshead/drums.
• Longtail Point: A limited number of anglers were observed this week, and no interviews were conducted.
• Suamico River: There was limited to moderate fishing activity observed this week. Most of the boaters that were interviewed were pleasure boaters and not fishing. The boaters that were fishing were targeting walleye and had mixed results. The number of walleye reportedly caught per boat ranged from 2 to 10 fish. The anglers that had the best success were trolling crawler harnesses from around 18 to 22 feet deep. The sizes of the walleyes that were kept ranged from 17 to 22 inches long.

Marinette County

• Walleye fishing in the Menominee River was best after dark and just before dark. Areas from the Hwy 41 bridge upstream to the dam were popular. A few walleyes were caught during the day in the deeper areas towards the mouth on crawler harnesses behind bottom bouncers. Several boats were trying for muskies on the Menominee and Peshtigo rivers this week. Anglers were both trolling and casting, with a couple of fish reported caught around the 40-inch mark. Alewives were reported in both rivers, and many carp spawning in the Peshtigo.

Oconto County

• Geano Beach: There was limited to moderate fishing activity observed this week. Boating anglers were targeting walleye and musky. The walleye anglers had limited success, with zero to four walleyes being caught per boat. The anglers that had the best success were trolling crawler harnesses from around 12 to 22 feet deep. The sizes of the walleyes that were kept ranged from 19 to 21 inches long. There were no reported musky catches this week. The reported water temperature ranged between 67 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• Warm weather and calm winds warmed up the water this week. Anglers were commenting on the number of alewives present and the developing weeds. Most activities were from tourney anglers pre-fishing the walleye event June 1-3. Walleyes and perch were being caught in light numbers. No pattern seemed better than others as shiver minnows, crawler harnesses, jigging spoons, and rippin’ raps all caught some fish. Most perch were being caught on crawler harnesses by walleye anglers. Sheepshead, white perch and suckers were other species reported caught.

June 5, 2023: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

• Kenosha Piers and Shoreline: Lake Michigan had little to no wave action. The waters were murky and blue-green. The water temperature was 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Anglers were successfully catching striped bass, bluegill, and common carp using jigs with grubs or nightcrawlers.
• Kenosha Ramps: Multiple trailers were parked at Simmons Island Marina, and multiple vessels could be observed in the bay. Crews successfully caught coho salmon and chinook salmon using spoons and flasher flies.

Racine County

• Racine Piers and Shoreline: Lake Michigan had little to no wave action. The waters were murky and blue-green. The water temperature was 50 degrees Fahrenheit. No successful anglers were interviewed during survey times.
• Racine Ramps: Many trailers were parked at Pershing Park, and many vessels could be observed in the bay. Crews caught coho salmon, chinook salmon and lake trout using spoons and flasher flies.

Milwaukee County

• No report is available this week. 

Ozaukee County

• Port Washington: Great fishing conditions over the weekend. Anglers are succeeding on coho and rainbows in 110-120 feet of water with orange dodgers, flies, and spoons. A few chinook and lake trout have been caught in 250 feet.
• Port Washington Harbor and Piers: A few anglers were seen, but no caught fish were recorded. The water temperature was 63-71 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sheboygan County

• ​​​​Sheboygan Harbor and Piers: Slow fishing on the north pier with only a small coho and a catfish caught. The water temperature was 63-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Sheboygan Ramps: Great fishing condition with low waves. Anglers are succeeding on coho and rainbows in 60-120 feet with pink and orange flies and spoons. Chinook and a few lake trout caught 200-250 feet.

June 5, 2023: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Manitowoc County

• Anglers have been doing well fishing Lake Michigan for trout and salmon. The species caught include rainbow trout, lake trout, coho salmon, and chinook salmon. Anglers fishing out of Manitowoc and Two Rivers have brought mixed bags of fish and some big ones. A 13.5-pound rainbow trout and 22.5-pound chinook salmon were brought out of Two Rivers. Anglers have been fishing in water depths of 80 feet to 300 feet. Fish are being caught on both spoons and flasher flies, and color has not seemed to be limiting as anglers have reported catches on oranges, greens, blues, chrome, reds and others. Anglers reported trolling at speeds of 2.2 – 2.5 mph. Anglers also reported catching fish throughout the water column. Surface water temperatures on Lake Michigan ranged from 58-63 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Kewaunee County

• Algoma: Anglers along Olson Park targeted various species, including yellow perch, northern pike and black crappie, with bullheads reported as bycatch. Water clarity averaged two feet. Lake Michigan boaters preferred heading south and targeting rainbow trout, coho salmon and chinook salmon. One lake trout was reported. Around five fish were being caught per group, with most being rainbow trout. Spoons and flasher flies in orange, green and blue worked best for them. Bites were occurring mainly between 30 to 60 feet, and the depth of water typically ranged from 130 to 170 feet deep, with a few groups fishing shallower than 100 feet. The average trolling speed was around 2.5 mph. Surface temperatures ranged from 48 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Kewaunee: The Kewaunee shoreline had noticeably fewer anglers than last week. Those fishing there were primarily targeting northern pike, rainbow trout and walleye. Channel catfish were recorded as bycatch. Water clarity ranged from two to four feet. The ramp in Kewaunee saw plenty of trailers with groups going for rainbow trout, coho salmon and chinook salmon. The average catch per group was around two fish, with most being rainbow trout. Some lake trout were also caught throughout the week. Spoons and flasher flies were used, with orange, green and blue being the best colors. As the week progressed, bites started near the top (10 – 30 feet) and then lowered (40 – 60 feet). The depth of water typically ranged from 100 to 180 feet deep. The average trolling speed came out to 2.3 mph. Surface temperatures ranged from 49 to 61 degrees Fahrenheit, averaging about 56. Most boaters preferred to head south after launching.

Door County

• Sturgeon Bay: The shores of Sturgeon Bay saw anglers going for mainly smallmouth bass, yellow perch and walleye. Most groups used minnows and nightcrawlers. Water clarity ranged from two to four feet. Boaters heading out on Lake Michigan targeted rainbow trout, coho salmon and chinook salmon, while boaters near the canal targeted yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and walleye. Minnows were mainly used by groups fishing for yellow perch. Surface temperature in the canal was reported between 59-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Groups fishing for trout and salmon used spoons and flasher flies in orange, green and blue.
• Northern Door County: Most anglers focused on smallmouth bass, but a few were also interested in walleye and northern pike. Boaters were using everything from Ned and Texas rigs to swimbaits and different kinds of jigs. The drop-shot rig has also been an effective method of getting bites. Shore anglers have been having less success; however, an angler near Anderson Dock in Ephraim caught many rock bass. Boaters reported water temps between 58 and 64 degrees. Both shore and boat anglers had to put in long hours and hit the right spot to get anything. Some people would go out for awhile and catch nothing, while others would catch a fish before leaving the dock. Anglers mentioned that just because you can see a bass doesn’t mean you will catch anything.