Lake Superior Outdoor Fishing Report – Sept. 2, 2026
Fishing Wisconsin
Apostle Islands
Water temperatures are mostly being reported in the upper 60s. Lake trout fishing has been mostly slow, with few limits of fish being brought in recently. Lake trout anglers finding the most success have mainly targeted bottom in 100-150 feet. Anglers targeting brown trout and splake have been consistently finding some fish, but rarely catching their limit, primarily targeting 40-80 feet of water. A few coho salmon (18-23 inches) have begun showing up nearshore, and action should continue to pick up in the coming weeks as fish begin to congregate nearshore and around river mouths.
Chequamegon Bay
Water temperatures have generally peaked this summer in the mid to upper 60’s and have rarely reached 70 degrees. Most walleye anglers are reporting catching a few each trip but rarely catching their limit. Most walleye anglers are targeting weedlines in relatively shallow water, while a few anglers are also targeting walleye over somewhat deeper water as well. Perch fishing has been solid in and around deeper weedbeds, with most fish being reported in the 8–10-inch range. A few nice northern pike have been caught over weeds as well. Whitefish have been hit or miss, but on the days they are biting anglers have reported limits of nice fish, including many over 20 inches and the occasional trophy sized fish over 24 inches. Smallmouth anglers have reported fair success on deeper structure and rock piles, and fishing should pick up as we move into fall and water temperatures begin to drop.
South Shore
Water temperatures have been swinging up and down all summer but are currently being reported in the mid 60s. Lake trout fishing has been slow, with few anglers keeping their limits. A few mostly smaller lake trout are being caught near bottom in deeper water (150 feet). Salmon fishing has been slow for most anglers as well, with only a few fish being caught 20-50 feet down over deeper water. Walleye fishing has been good recently, with several limits of nice “eaters” (15-19 inches) being reported along with a few larger trophy sized fish. Walleye anglers are targeting a wide variety of water depths, with most anglers targeting 10-30 feet of water while some anglers have reported success targeting suspended fish over deeper water out to 100 feet. Nearshore anglers primarily targeting walleye are also reporting the occasional brown trout, lake trout, coho salmon or steelhead mixed in.
Superior
Walleye fishing has been very good. Many fish over 20 inches are being reported, including some large trophy sized fish, as well as decent numbers of “eaters” (15-19 inches). Walleye anglers are targeting shallower water 10-30 feet nearshore, as well as targeting suspended fish 10-40 feet down over deeper water (60-100 feet). Anglers targeting lake trout have reported a few fish in deeper water. Salmon fishing has slowed a bit, but a few cohos and chinooks (kings) are being occasionally reported suspended 30-80 feet down in deeper water.
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.