Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - March 30, 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 30, 2026: West Shore Green Bay Ice Creel Report

Duck Creek

Warm weather on Sunday brought out a few boaters and kayakers, but no anglers reported catching any fish. Anglers were mainly targeting panfish and northern pike.

Fox River

There was moderate fishing pressure during the week followed by very high fishing pressure during the weekend with a tournament on Saturday and beautiful weather on Sunday. The walleye anglers that had the best action were using blade-baits and hair jigs and reported catching around 15 fish. Most boats were reporting lower numbers of walleye (0-3) caught per boat. Other species being caught more frequently this past week include whitefish, white bass and flathead catfish. Water temperatures were around 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the week.

Marinette County

Angling pressure on the Menominee River was higher than the Peshtigo River this week. Anglers were still only able to fish from around the Hwy. 41 bridge upstream to the dam on the Menominee River. Most of the lower river was covered in ice, and only the Stephenson Island launch was open. Success was relatively low. Only a few brown trout were caught and only a few walleyes were caught, mainly at night off the Hattie St. Bridge. No walleyes were seen off the viewing platform on the Peshtigo River as of the end of the weekend. Areas on the bay from Marinette to Peshtigo weren’t being fished because ice was blocking access. Water temperatures were in the low 30s.

Oconto County

Oconto County Park 2 was still iced in around the boat launch. The Pensaukee River launch was free of ice late in the week, but no use was observed. The two launches in Oconto were busy, especially over the weekend with trucks having to park on County Y at times. Multiple species were caught by anglers in the bay, including walleyes, whitefish, pike, perch, brown trout, suckers and sturgeon. Walleye reports tended to be better during the week, with higher catches than the weekend. High catches of 15 to 30 walleyes were reported during the week by a few boats while most were averaging 3 to 8 fish a trip. Anglers in the upper Oconto River reported no walleyes yet but a few brown trout and steelhead were caught near the dam. Water temperatures were in the low 30s with a few spots in the bay getting to the upper 30s on sunny days.

 

March 30, 2026: East Shore Green Bay Ice Creel Report

There is no report for this week.

 

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!