Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - March 9, 2026

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.

Ice Safety

There is no such thing as safe ice. You cannot judge the strength of ice by one factor such as 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 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 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 warm 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 areas you are not familiar with, and don’t travel at night during reduced visibility.
  • Avoid inlets, outlets or narrows that may have current that can cause thin ice.

 

March 9, 2026: West Shore Green Bay Ice Creel Report

Fox River Route

Both launches were being used with Perkofski getting more use once the docks went in. Anglers had some good fishing during the week on the nicer days. Rain made water clarity a major issue over the weekend, which made fishing difficult. Hair jigs and minnows were working well during the week. Anglers reported most fish were in the 16-to-22-inch range with a few bigger females being caught. Catches of carp, whitefish and musky were also reported by anglers targeting walleye.

Metro Launch: The launch was ice free, but the docks were not in place. A few anglers were seen shore fishing with no luck.

Voyageur Park: Low numbers of anglers were seen during the week. Lots of whitefish were reported within casting range of shore.

Oconto Route

Menominee River: Anglers were starting to try shore fishing from the railroad bridge upstream to the dam on the nicer days. A few brown trout were around and the shorelines still had some ice. Ice was also present from Stephenson Island out to the bay.

Oconto City Park: A few anglers were out fishing the shallows before the crack. Northern pike and perch were being caught in low numbers.

Oconto County Parks: Very little activity was seen here, mainly due to the poor conditions on the near shore.

Oconto Harbor: Anglers were catching some whitefish at the end of the pier and a few northern pike in shallower water off the north side. Anglers venturing out further were still getting a few perch and the occasional walleye. Anglers reported ice conditions changed rapidly over the past week, with some open water now present at the mouth of the river and gaps opening along the shoreline.

Suamico Route

Geano Beach: Angler effort was minimal during the week, with reports of the pressure crack near shore pushing further up and standing water present on both sides.

Long Tail Point: Light fishing pressure was seen here this week. The access area was getting muddy with some standing water along the shore and on the ice.

Sunset Beach Lane: A few anglers were walking out on the ice to fish during the week. Low catches of perch were reported using tip downs.

 

March 9, 2026: East Shore Green Bay Ice Creel Report

Bayshore Route: Limited fishing activity was observed this week. There were a few anglers observed fishing off Red River County Park, and they had success catching whitefish in around 10 feet of water using wax worms. One angler also had success catching a single whitefish off Rites Cove in around 20 feet of water using plastic jigs.

Little Sturgeon Bay: Early in the week there was some fishing activity off Lime Kiln Road and Sand Bay Resort. Anglers going off Sand Bay Resort had some success catching whitefish off of Larson's Reef in around 70 feet of water. Following the warm temperatures and rain, no angler activity was observed in this location.

Sawyer Harbor: Anglers fishing near the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club had success catching northern pike using golden shiners. Anglers fishing about 50 yards from Oak Avenue had success catching whitefish in around 40 feet of water using a mix of wax worms and plastic jigs. There were a few anglers that fished off Larson's Reef in around 60 to 70 feet of water and had success catching whitefish using plastic jigs.

 

Nov. 17, 2025: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

The 2025 open water creel season has ended for Northern Lake Michigan. Thank you to all those who participated in the survey this year. We look forward to seeing everyone again next spring!

 

Nov. 17, 2025: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

The 2025 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!