Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - July 14, 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.

 

July 14, 2025: West Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Brown County

Fox River Anglers: Moderate to high activity was seen along the Fox River this week. With mostly clear and sunny weather, anglers and pleasure boaters took over the Fox River boat launches. The most common fish caught this week were walleye, white bass, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, sheepshead and catfish. Walleye anglers reported catches in 11-17 feet of water, with walleye caught ranging between 20-25 inches long. Yellow perch ranged between 8-13 inches long according to anglers. Anglers reported success with jigs and plastics tipped with minnows or crawlers. Water temperatures ranged in the mid to high 70s this week. 

Suamico River: Moderate to high activity was seen at the Suamico boat launch this week. The most common fish reported were walleye, yellow perch, catfish, and sheepshead. Anglers reported the most success catching walleye and yellow perch in deeper waters between 15-20 feet. Most anglers were successful using crawlers and minnows on jig setups. Water temperatures ranged in the mid-70s most of the week.

Marinette County

Light fishing pressure was observed this week. Most anglers were fishing the bay for salmon, with good catches reported. Areas from Green Island to Chambers Island were holding fish generally deeper than 70 feet of water and fishing 40 feet down and deeper. Flasher and fly combos were still producing well, with spoons starting to catch fish as well. The occasional brown trout and rainbow trout were being caught while targeting salmon. Surface temps were climbing this week with the warm days and were in the mid-70s by week’s end.

Oconto County

Anglers were out in good numbers when the weather cooperated. Most anglers were after yellow perch, with good catches being reported from several areas. Shallow weeds, rock piles and deep mud were all good places to find perch. Minnows and crawlers were both catching fish. Sheepshead and bowfin were also being caught while targeting perch. Surface temps rose to the upper 70s by the week’s end.

Geano Beach: Moderate activity was seen at the Geano Beach boat launch this week. The most common fish reported were yellow perch, flathead catfish, sheepshead and a couple of walleye. Most anglers reported success nearer to shore in 5-10 feet of water. Many anglers were using plastics and jigs tipped with minnows and crawlers this week. Water temperatures ranged in the mid-70s this week but reached close to 80 by the end of the weekend.

 

July 14, 2025: East Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Bayshore County Park: Angler activity increased this week, particularly for yellow perch, with most anglers reporting success. The most productive fishing occurred just north of Bayshore Park in about 22 feet of water using live nightcrawlers and minnows. Walleye catch rates also improved. Walleye anglers had the most success fishing in 7 to 18 feet of water using crawler harnesses and jigging nightcrawlers. The water temperature was around 74 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chaudoir’s Dock: There was an increase in anglers targeting yellow perch, with most reporting success. The most productive area was north of Chaudoir’s Dock in 21 to 24 feet of water using live nightcrawlers and minnows. Anglers targeting walleye had success in depths between 8 and 30 feet, using a combination of trolling with flicker minnows and jigging nightcrawlers over rocky areas. One musky angler reported catching three muskies in approximately 19 feet of water using a blade bait. The water temperature was about 74 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eagle’s Nest: Most boaters interviewed were not fishing. However, anglers targeting yellow perch reported success fishing in 16 to 20 feet of water using live nightcrawlers. The water temperature was approximately 74 degrees Fahrenheit.

Little Sturgeon Bay: This week, there was an increase in anglers catching yellow perch, although most of the fish were too small to keep. Yellow perch were being caught in roughly 11 feet of water using live nightcrawlers and minnows. No anglers targeting walleye were interviewed this week. Water temperature was around 70 degrees Fahrenheit earlier in the week.

Sawyer Harbor: Most of the boaters interviewed this week were recreational boaters and were not fishing. One angler reported catching four yellow perch in approximately 15 feet of water near weed beds using live nightcrawlers. No other anglers were interviewed. The water temperature was around 71 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

July 14, 2025: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

Ramps: Boaters this week saw very spotty fishing. Rainbow trout were most often caught while fishing, but overall, it was slow.

Shoreline: Shore anglers continue to struggle this week in all aspects, as very few fish were caught. No depths seemed to be more productive than others and most fish were caught before 7 a.m.

Milwaukee County

Ramps: Anglers using the ramps of Milwaukee County are flocking to waters just north of McKinley Pier, with the most successful groups targeting depths of 70-90 feet. Most fish are being caught on spoons, with anglers reporting near constant bites between 2-4 a.m. King salmon harvested this weekend averaged anywhere from 14-25 pounds, biting most frequently about 45 feet down the water column. Anglers report catching mostly rainbow trout after sunrise in the top third of the water column. One group brought in a coho salmon around 8 pounds, caught near the bottom at 60 feet using a spoon.

Shoreline: Shoreline anglers targeting salmon and trout this last week continue to have the best luck when fishing either before sunrise or after sunset, with anglers fishing the Main Gap at the end of McKinley Pier reporting Chinook salmon between 10-15 pounds caught using spoons. One lucky angler caught a 17.4-pound king at this location on Sunday at 6:30 a.m. Anglers at Oak Creek Power Plant are mostly reporting brown and rainbows at much smaller sizes, with most measuring 12-16 inches. Anglers using 3-way rigs with minnows at the powerplant reported perch harvests between 12-15 inches after a steady day of west winds.

Ozaukee County

Port Washington Piers/Harbor: Catches of coho salmon and Chinook salmon have been reported off the north and south piers this week. Popular tactics have been using shrimp, alewives, and casting spoons. Some anglers have also had success catching catfish from the pier at Coal Dock Park.

Port Washington Ramps: Most boats were reporting frequent success catching rainbow trout and Chinook salmon, with some coho salmon in 90-150 feet of water. Most Chinook salmon were caught deeper in the water column, around 60 feet down. Surface water temperatures were around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Popular tactics for Chinook salmon have been using flasher flies in a variety of colors as well as spoons in a variety of colors. Cohos have also been caught on coho dodgers and flies.

Racine County

Shore and pier anglers continue to struggle this week when fishing for trout and salmon, although perch began moving back in on Friday morning. The bite picked up over the weekend with several large perch being caught. Most anglers are having success using minnows as bait.

Boaters continued to experience high numbers of rainbow trout this week, heading into Salmon-A-Rama. Opening weekend brought in tons of Chinook and rainbows, some coho and a few brown trout. Fishermen were finding success in 80-110 feet of water in the early morning and 40-60 feet in the late morning.

Sheboygan County

Sheboygan Harbor and Piers: Catches of Chinook salmon and rainbow trout have been reported, as well as some catches of coho salmon. The most popular tactics have been casting spoons.

Sheboygan Ramps: Most boats are reporting success, frequently catching Chinook salmon and rainbow trout as well as some coho salmon. The most productive depths for Chinook salmon have been between 100-140 feet and running baits 60-80 feet down in the water column. Rainbow trout have been caught anywhere from 60-150 feet of water. Common tactics have been using flasher flies in a variety of colors as well as spoons in a variety of colors. Five-colors have also been working well for rainbow trout. Surface water temperatures have been around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. 

 

July 14, 2025: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Northern Door County: It's been a busy and hot week for anglers. Shore anglers were targeting smallmouth bass and rock bass. Boating anglers were targeting Chinook salmon and smallmouth bass. Shore anglers looking to catch rock bass had good luck in Fish Creek and Sister Bay using nightcrawlers. Shore anglers were also targeting smallmouth bass and had success in Ephraim using ned rigs and paddle tail swim baits. Boating anglers targeting salmonids showed good results at Baileys Harbor, Rowley's Bay, and Gills Rock. These anglers used a mix of flasher flies and spoons in waters 100-120 feet deep. These anglers were trolling around 2.3 miles per hour. Boating anglers targeting smallmouth bass had best success at Rowley’s Bay, Ephraim, and Bue’s Point. At Rowley’s Bay, best results were found using soft plastics and crank baits in waters 5-8 feet deep. In Ephraim, bass anglers had best luck with imitation gobies, in Ellison Bay tubes worked best, and finally at Bue’s Point artificial baits showed best success. Water temperatures have been in the mid-60s this past week.

Sturgeon Bay: Along the shorelines, anglers were out primarily targeting smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Both species were caught along with freshwater drum, rock bass and round goby. Worms, leeches and soft plastics were some of the bait/lures used by those surveyed with fish. In the canal, smallmouth bass boaters were mainly fishing in 8 to 10 feet of water and commonly using jerk baits as lures. Lake Michigan boaters were out going for both trout and salmon, with rainbow trout, coho salmon and Chinook salmon being caught. Most bites fell between 60 to 80 feet down and most groups were fishing in 90 to 150 feet of water. The average trolling speed was about 2.3 miles per hour. The surface temperature average was about 66 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee County

Algoma: Shoreline anglers were targeting mainly yellow perch during the week. Species caught by those surveyed include yellow perch, white sucker, bowfin and common carp. All species were caught with either worms or minnows as bait. On Lake Michigan, boaters were going after both trout and salmon, with rainbow trout, coho salmon and Chinook salmon being caught. The average depth of bites was deeper compared to last week, being around 60 to 80 feet down. Most groups were fishing in 110 to 140 feet of water. The average trolling speed was around 2.4 miles per hour. Surface temperatures ranged from 61 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average of about 67 degrees.

Kewaunee: Anglers fishing the pier and shorelines were going after both trout and salmon. Only bullheads were caught by shore anglers. Boaters launching out on Lake Michigan were targeting both trout and salmon as well. Rainbow trout, coho salmon and Chinook salmon were caught. The average depth of bites was deeper than last week, being around 50 to 70 feet down. Most groups were fishing in 100 to 120 feet of water. Trolling speeds averaged around 2.3 miles per hour. Surface water temperature ranged from 58 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average of around 66 degrees.

Manitowoc County

Anglers have reported solid numbers of Chinook and rainbow trout, with some coho and an occasional lake trout. The average reported per group was six to eight fish. A couple of groups reported 17, 15,and 10 fish. Fish measured this week included two Chinook at 10 pounds, a coho weighing 7 pounds and twp rainbow trout weighing 7 and 9 pounds, respectively. Anglers reported catching fish in depths from 80-160 feet. A few groups reported fish spread throughout the water column. The most consistent reports were from anglers in 90-115 feet, with rainbow trout coming out of the top 40 feet and Chinook coming from 50 feet and down. Reported surface temperatures running from 63-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures at 50 feet down are reported at around 53 degrees Fahrenheit. A mix of flashers and spoons has been working, with a few groups catching more on spoons. Orange and green are reported as good color options. Anglers on the Two Rivers piers caught three rainbow trout using alewife on the bottom. One angler in the Manitowoc Harbor reported a mixed bag with a northern pike, a smallmouth and a black crappie taken on a bobber and worm setup.