Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - October 25, 2021

Fishing reports are updated once per week on Tuesdays and is subject to change based on the availability of reports and the work schedules of field staff.

Fishing report information comes from creel survey clerks, who work in the lakeshore areas from March through October, and in the tributary rivers seasonally in spring and fall. The report includes a large segment of information pulled from a variety of days, times and locations to reflect current fishing and harvest efforts. 

Additional fishing information can be found by contacting local bait shops, charter captains and marinas.

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 the waters of 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

Oct. 25, 2021: Green Bay Fishing Report

East Shoreline Of Green Bay: 

• Water temperatures reported this week ranged from 53-58 degrees. 
• It was a slow weekend for fishing on the east shore most likely due to rough, choppy waters due to the wind. 
• Success on yellow perch, northern pike, and smallmouth bass was reported out of Sawyer Harbor at Potawatomi State Park. Those who had success on yellow perch and northern pike reported using minnows. Success on smallmouth bass was reported with green or chartreuse crank baits. 
• Some success on yellow perch was also reported out of Little Sturgeon Bay at Robert M. Carmody Boat Launch using minnows. 
• Success on yellow perch was also reported at Bayshore and Chaudoir's Dock with minnows. Whitefish and white bass were also reported to be caught over the weekend.

West Shoreline Of Green Bay:

• Geano Beach: Both Longtail Point and Geano Beach were hot spots for duck hunters this week. Otherwise, it was a very quiet week out of these launches.
• Suamico River: Anglers along the shoreline of the Suamico River and out of the Suamico launch had success catching yellow perch using minnows and night crawlers.
• Longtail Point: Both Longtail Point and Geano Beach were hot spots for duck hunters this week. Otherwise, it was a very quiet week out of these launches.
• Duck Creek: Success on yellow perch was also seen out of Duck Creek this past weekend. Minnows was the preferred choice of bait.
• Fox River and the Metro Boat Launch: The Fox River was very active this past week with both boat and shoreline anglers. Water temperatures varied between 57-61 degrees along with a few windy days and foggy mornings mixed in.  Success was reported on walleye, smallmouth bass, and white bass using crank baits and jigs. Freshwater drum, catfish, and white bass were also reported using night crawlers and jigs.

Marinette County

• Peshtigo River boat launches had activity from duck hunters this week as well as the launch at Red Arrow Park. Red Arrow also had a few fishing boats out in the “pocket” trying for perch. The perch bite was reported to be slower than previous weeks.  Minnows were the bait of choice. A few salmon and brown trout could still be seen at Little River and the Menominee River. Anglers reported no luck however trying to catch them.

Oconto County

• Activity at area boat launches was light this week with most being used by duck hunters.  Fishing activity was mainly seen by shore anglers this week at Oconto County Park II and in the ditches along County Hwy. Y. Perch were biting well with mainly smaller perch caught. Anglers reported to have to sort through many perch to find keepers.

Oct. 25, 2021: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

• Kenosha Piers and Shoreline: The piers and shorelines in Kenosha continue to see steady angling effort.  Most anglers are now being seen fishing with eggs on a slip bobber.  Artificial baits are still being used but more infrequently.  The anglers that were seen are still hoping to catch salmon or even browns and steelhead now that the water temperature has dropped.  Even though anglers continue to fish in the harbor, the fish have been mostly uncooperative.  No catches were recorded this week.
• Kenosha Ramps: The Kenosha ramp continues to see few fishing boats due to poor weather on the lake.  A few boat trailers were seen towards the end of the week as there was a few days where the lake remained calm caused by favorable wind direction.  Even though a few boats went out, fishing was still tough.  No catches were recorded.
• Pike River: The Pike River had another slow week.  Some anglers were still seen fishing near the mouth of the river.  A few scattered anglers were found to be fishing farther upriver as well.  The anglers that were out are still targeting salmon using a few different methods.  Anglers were seen fishing with bobbers as well as throwing artificial baits.  Due to the continued low angling effort on the river, success has also been low.  One lucky angler caught a chinook using a spoon near the mouth of the river this week.  Water levels on the river remain low, but the water temperature has dropped.

Racine County

• Racine Piers and Shoreline: The piers and shorelines of Racine had another very slow week.  Only a small handful of anglers were seen fishing on the piers or around the harbor.  Nicer weather allowed a few more anglers to get out and fish on the south pier.  The anglers that were out were targeting any salmon or trout that was willing to bite.  They were seen fishing with slip bobbers as well as casting artificial baits.  Due to the low number of anglers, success was hard to come by.  No catches were recorded.
• Racine Ramp:  The ramp in Racine had a slow start to the week but activity picked up at the end of the week due to a light west wind.  The few boats that did go out were targeting any salmon or trout species.  Even with the increase in fishing boats this week only one brown trout was caught using spoons.  The water temperature at the ramp by the end of the week was 56 degrees.   
• Root River: The Root River continued to see high levels of angling activity over the past week as salmon numbers in the river remain high.  Anglers continue to be spread out all over the river with the highest concentration of anglers being in Lincoln Park once again.  Anglers are still targeting salmon using fly fishing tackle with either flies or spawn.  Despite the high angling effort, anglers were struggling to catch fish.  A mix of chinook and coho were caught using a variety of flies.  Water levels on the river remained low as we continue to get no rain.  Water temps have dropped due to the cooler fall temperatures.  The water temperature near the steelhead facility by the end of the week was 52 degrees.

Milwaukee County

• Southern Milwaukee County: Grant Park had light fishing activity, but most anglers were fishing upstream of the Oak Creek, where chinook and coho could be caught, mostly on flies. Marshmallows and eggs were also used. Oak Creek Power Plant had light fishing activity, but no fish caught during survey times.  
• Northern Milwaukee County: McKinley marina had moderate activity, where chinook were caught. Anglers were using spoons and eggs. Few boats were launched from McKinley ramp, and had no luck fishing in the harbor. Under the Hoan and near Summerfest, there was light fishing activity, but no catches reported as well. Water temperature was 57-59 degrees.
• Milwaukee River: Anglers at North Ave reported catching chinook, steelhead, and a brook trout using flies and spinners. Some anglers were also targeting smallmouth bass. Chinook were caught at Estabrook Park using eggs and flies. Anglers were fishing Kletzsch Park as well but had no luck during survey times. Anglers could also be seen fishing under Capitol Dr. Popular colors were orange, black/chartreuse, and pink.
• Menomonee River: There were a few anglers fishing the Menomonee this week with most of the activity near Miller Park. One angler reported catching a coho using flies.

Ozaukee County

• Port Washington: Wednesday evening was cool, cloudy, and windy (E) with some rain.  Sauk Creek (61°F) maintained its level and was clear. Anglers focused their efforts at the marina piers and caught a few chinook. The weekend was cold, cloudy, and very windy (W/N).  Sauk Creek cooled to 52°F. Anglers fished at all access points, primarily the marina piers and the outflow. Anglers caught coho and chinook throughout, with the most success at the outflow early in the morning using red egg sacs.

Sheboygan County

• Sheboygan: The week was cold, cloudy, and windy, shifting from an east to west wind.  The Pigeon River was colder (54°F-50°F), clear, and maintained its level. A few anglers focused their efforts at Pigeon River Park, with a couple anglers fishing by boat. No catches were reported.
• Sheboygan River: Friday morning was cold and mostly cloudy. The river (53°F) was slightly up, swift, and clear.  Saturday morning was also cold and mostly cloudy, but the river rose slightly and cooled to 50°F. Anglers fished primarily at Esslingen and River Wildlife, with no catches reported.

Oct. 25, 2021: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Manitowoc County

• Two Rivers: A handful of groups had success in the East and West Twin Rivers catching chinook salmon this week. In the East Twin River anglers had success catching chinook salmon using green/silver and chartreuse spoons as well as orange yarn balls. Anglers reported seeing less salmon this week and little to no bait. In the West Twin River anglers had success catching chinook salmon using green twister tail plastics, pink/chartreuse earplugs, orange spawn as well as a pink pompom. Other anglers also had success using a yellow/silver and orange spoons with one salmon weighing 16.3 lbs. In the Two Rivers Harbor one angler had success catching two northern pike using silver colored cleo’s. Additionally, another harbor angling group caught 2 bullhead using worms. At Two Rivers piers one angling group reported seeing a few chinook salmon jump and some bait. The angler reported seeing a boat catch a northern pike between the Two Rivers piers this week.
• Manitowoc: The Manitowoc River had the most fishing pressure this week. At the Clarks Mill dam one angler had success catching one catfish, one largemouth bass and one white bass using worms. A handful of salmon were seen jumping near the Clarks Mill dam as well. Although no other successful anglers were interviewed, one angling group at the end of Mill Road stated that they saw several rainbow trout, brown trout, and chinook salmon. The same angling group reported catching several salmon and trout earlier in the week near Mill Road. At Silver Creek one kayaker entered Lake Michigan and reported marking many fish at 20 ft however no bait. The kayaker also reported 1 ft waves and a water temperature of 54 degrees. Lastly, at Manitowoc harbor several angling groups reported some fish in the water however had no success. Overall, most anglers reported that the water is lower relative to last year’s conditions. Additionally, there has been a decline in the number of angling groups at all locations compared to prior weeks.

Kewaunee County

• Algoma: The number of pier anglers that have been fishing has decreased.  Salmon have been spotted jumping near the pier. Fishing activity along Stoney creek has decreased.  Anglers that were interviewed fishing for salmon reported not catching any salmon. Fishing activity along the Ahnapee River has increased. The anglers that were catching chinook salmon near the Forestville Dam with orange ear plugs and orange spawn sacs.
• Kewaunee: Anglers that were interviewed were catching chinook salmon by Bruemmer County Park with orange spawn sacs, and green flies. Another individual fishing party caught one coho salmon with orange spawn sacs. The number of pier anglers fishing for chinook salmon has decreased one of the few anglers that were interviewed fishing the pier did not catch any salmon.

Door County

• The weather this week was cool and partly cloudy. Majority of days the wind kicked up and made it difficult to fish and boat. Waves in some areas peaked over top of fishing piers and docks. Fishing pressure has dropped all around Door County and very few anglers were interviewed. 
• Anglers targeting bass fished between Sturgeon Bay and Egg Harbor. However, no bass were reported. Northern pike were caught instead. Most action was prompted with 3 to 4 inch crankbaits of various colors.