Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - Jan. 23, 2023

Fishing Wisconsin

Generally, fishing reports will be updated weekly on Tuesdays. This may change based on the reports' availability and 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.

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.

Sign up to get the latest fishing information on Lake Michigan.

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 like its appearance, age, thickness, temperature, or whether the ice is covered with snow. Ice seldom freezes uniformly and can vary significantly 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 daily 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 essential safety gear: ice claws or picks, a cellphone in a waterproof case, a life jacket, and a length of rope.
    • Dress warmly 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 unfamiliar areas, and don't travel at night during reduced visibility. 
    • Avoid inlets, outlets, or narrows that may have current that can cause thin ice.
       

Jan. 23, 2023: Green Bay / Peshtigo Area Fishing Report

East Shoreline Of Green Bay:

  • Open water was observed at several locations (Birmingham's up to Murphy Park, south of Egg Harbor) last week as ice conditions considerably deteriorated due to the wind, warmer temperatures and rain.
  • Anglers were observed at Claflin's, close to the shoreline in temporary shacks, and at Big Rock Place targeting whitefish and walleye with no success reported.
  • Potawatomi Park: No activity has been seen this week.
  • Idlewild: Anglers were observed setting up temporary shacks within Sawyer Harbor using the boat launch for access. No success was reported on any species for the week.   
  • High Cliff: No activity was seen this week.
  • Oak Avenue: No activity was seen this week.
  • Bullhead Point: No activity was seen this week.
  • Carmody Park: Anglers were targeting yellow perch inside of Little Sturgeon Bay. Several temporary shacks, along with ATVs/UTVs, were observed out on the ice. Anglers successfully caught yellow perch and northern pike using tip-ups baited with minnows. Much of the fishing activity was in the early morning hours.
  • Egg Harbor: Anglers were observed using tip-ups located approximately 20 yards from the shoreline from the Marina to the Egg Harbor beach. Success was reported on northern pike and brown trout using minnows as bait. Ice conditions were reported to be favorable within Egg Harbor despite the poor weather the week before. 
  • Birmingham's: Open water observed. Ice conditions greatly deteriorated due to the wind, warmer temperatures and rain.
     

West Shoreline Of Green Bay:

Brown County

  • Hook Rd: Not a lot of activity was seen here this week. Shoreline areas were somewhat muddy, with some standing water also. 
  • Suamico: Good numbers of anglers were out this week with foot traffic and ATV traffic. Perch was the main target species, with light catches reported.
  • Geano Beach:  No activity seen this week. Piles of chunk ice and open water areas were around into the weekend.
  • Long Tail Point: High number of anglers were observed this week. The access area was still of some concern, with broken ice and holes next to the shore. Ice away from the access was still in good shape. Most anglers were targeting perch and getting 3 to 8 on average per trip. The occasional northern pike and walleye were also being caught.
  • Voyaguer Park: The Fox River was still open this week, with only a little ice along the shore around Fox Point.

Oconto County

  • Oconto Parks: The bay was still open as of the weekend. A little ice was still holding along the shoreline. A few anglers were fishing for perch at Oconto Park II.
  • Oconto Harbor: The amount of fishable ice was less than last week after varying winds blew the ice around. Only a little ice was being fished to the north of the pier.

Marinette County

  • Menominee River: A few northern pikes were being caught off the Sixth Street landing. Open water anglers were getting a few walleyes off the Hattie Street bridge at night. Fire tiger and clown-colored rapalas were working best.
  • Red Arrow: No activity was seen this week. 
  • Peshtigo River Mouth: No activity was seen this week. The mouth of the river was still open as of the weekend. Ice was piled up north and south of the river along the shore.

Nov. 1, 2022: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

  • The 2022 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, 2022: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

  • The 2022 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!