Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - February 15, 2021

Fishing Wisconsin

In general, fishing reports will be updated once per week, usually on Tuesdays. This may change based on the availability of reports and the 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 is 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.

Please remember: The 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. No ice is 100% safe. 

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 in warm 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 currents that can cause thin ice.

REMINDER - Anglers must carry a paper copy of their license/stamps while fishing on the waters of Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and the WI/MI, WI/MN and WI/IA boundary waters.

February 15, 2021: West Shore Green Bay Ice Creel Report

Marinette County

  • Menominee River: Very little activity seen this week on the river. Only one group was seen off Six Street.
  • Red Arrow: Very little activity inside the “pocket." Some permanent shacks were put out at the end of the week out from the beach south of the Menominee River, towards Seagull Bar, and on the “flats” south of Red Arrow.
  • Peshtigo River: No activity seen this week.

Oconto County

  • Oconto Parks: No activity seen in Oconto Park II this week. Oconto Park I had a few anglers venturing out towards deeper waters a couple of miles offshore.
  • Oconto Harbor: A few whitefish were caught at the mouth of the river. Most anglers were getting 1 to 4 fish per outing. Several permanent shacks were put out this week along the shoreline heading north from the breakwater.
  • Geano’s Beach: Anglers were finally able to get offshore this week with some permanent shacks seen out also. Travel overall seems good with the exception of one large pressure crack that needs to be crossed not too far out from shore. A few whitefish were being caught a couple of miles out by anglers trying for perch and walleyes with no luck reported on perch or walleyes.
     

Brown County

  • Hook Rd: Heavy activity was seen this week with truck travel being used by most to access the ice now. Most anglers were after perch and having good luck. Some limits were being taken as well as numerous smaller-size perch that were being thrown back. Cold weather had most anglers jigging inside shacks and not using tip-downs or tip-ups. Jigging spoons with minnow heads or wax worms were working.
  • Suamico: Light activity was seen this week with groups starting to spread out from shore. Anglers trying for perch were having little luck but were catching a few whitefish instead.
  • Long Tail Point: Activity out from Lineville Road was pretty steady this week. Catch rates were fairly low for perch with numerous small ones being reported. One angler had a camera down and spotted lots of perch but had no luck getting them to bite.
  • Duck Creek: Very little activity seen this week. One angler reported having no luck finding perch.
  • Fox River: The river was busy this week from the 172 Bridge upstream to Voyageur Park. Access from the Fairgrounds and Fox Point boat launch was popular along with Voyageur Park. Most anglers reported catching walleyes with some limits being caught. Smaller-sized jigging raps were popular tipped with a minnow head. Most walleyes were in the 12- to 16-inch size. The occasional whitefish or perch were being caught also.

February 15, 2021: East Shore Green Bay Ice Creel Report

Bitter cold temperatures kept a lot of people home over the weekend reducing fishing pressure in many locations.

Bayshore area (2/8/21 and 2/14/21)

  • Rites Cove: Light pressure was seen at Rites Cove, Ice conditions appear to be improving.
  • Volks Landing: Anglers report ice conditions are improving but slow fishing reported, with no fish caught for an all days effort.
  • Bayshore Park: Heavy fishing pressure was seen at Bayshore. Anglers report slow fishing, with only a few whitefish caught on jigs and waxies.
  • Dyckesville: Anglers report slow fishing for whitefish with only a few caught for an all days effort.
    Sugar Creek: A few anglers were seen out at Sugar Creek, Reports having to move around to find fish that would bite.
  • Red River: Heavy fishing pressure was seen at Red River on Friday, Anglers report slow fishing, with one or two whitefish caught per angler for a half days effort. Fish were caught on gold tungsten tipped with waxies or small plastic swim baits.
  • Chaudoirs: Ice piles at the harbor entrance still making for limited access.

Big Creek Area (2/10 and 2/13)

  • Stone Quarry: Anglers fishing the reef report catching limits of whitefish in 60 feet of water using jigs and waxies. Anglers fishing closer to shore and the boat landing area report catching a handful of smelt and seeing lots of whitefish but only catching a few.
  • Pebble Beach: Reports of one or two whitefish and a smelt sound like the average catch at pebble beach for the week. 
  • Murphy Park: Good catches of whitefish were reported being caught out of Murphy Park during the week with most fish coming from deeper water
  • Birminghams: Anglers fishing near the shipping canal report catching a few keeper perch with some smaller ones being thrown back.

November 1, 2020: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

  • The 2020 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!

November 1, 2020: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

  • The 2020 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!