Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - Aug. 10, 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.

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.

 

Aug. 10, 2026: West Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Brown County

Duck Creek: Low fishing pressure was observed, but some anglers were found to be targeting yellow perch and other panfish. One perch angler reported catching 50 during a 3.5-hour trip using worms below slip bobbers. Other anglers also reported catching a few bluegills. 

Fox River: Anglers fishing inside of the Fox River commonly reported catching white perch, freshwater drum and channel catfish, as well as a few gobies, smallmouth bass and white bass. Anglers having the most success were using live bait on a variety of rigs, but worms on bottoms rigs seemed to be working the best. One angler also reported catching a few smallmouth bass using goby-colored Ned rigs. 

Fox River Mouth: Anglers departing the Fox River heading into lower Green Bay reported water temperatures in the mid-70s. Parties targeting walleye seemed to be struggling a bit, but they reported catching yellow perch, freshwater drum and channel catfish.

Geano Beach/Suamico River: Moderate fishing pressure was observed at both locations throughout the week, with most anglers targeting yellow perch. Parties that were having the most success were using worms or minnows on slip bobbers or drop shots while fishing in 8-16 feet of water. Anglers caught an average of seven perch per person, commonly ranging from 8-11 inches. Walleye catches were down a bit, but some were caught in water deeper than 20 feet trolling with crawler harnesses and perch-colored crank baits. Both perch and walleye anglers commonly reported catching freshwater drum, white perch and channel catfish. A few anglers headed out in search of muskies with limited success, but a few were seen following baits back to the boat. 

Marinette County

Fishing activity was up this week with anglers chasing walleyes and salmon in good numbers. Walleye anglers were having pretty good luck fishing the bay in several areas. Green Island, Chambers Island and the shorelines north and south of the Menominee River have been holding fish. Casting jigs with crawlers was popular along with trolling deep diver stick baits. A few walleye were around the 20-inch mark with the majority being 25 inches and larger and being released. Night fishing on the Menominee River produced walleyes as well. Areas upstream from Boom Landing were popular. Small floating rapalas or small crankbaits were the best lures. Anglers fishing for trout and salmon were finding a mixed bag of Chinook, browns and rainbows. Areas from the Peshtigo Light north to Chambers Island have been holding fish. Many smaller salmon were being caught but larger browns and salmon in the mid to upper teens in weight were around. Spoons of various colors and sizes were working best.

Oconto County

Anglers out of Oconto were targeting perch and walleyes this week with success. Most boats were out in deeper waters of 20 feet or more for both species. Slip bobbers with crawlers fished suspended or a few feet off the bottom were catching both perch and walleyes. Anglers trolling crawler harnesses were catching walleyes as well. Sheepshead and the occasional catfish were also being caught. Anglers fishing the pier in Oconto were getting a few perch on the bay side on crawlers and minnows. Water temperatures were in the low 70s.

 

Aug. 10, 2026: East Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Bayshore Park: Moderate to heavy fishing pressure was observed this week. Anglers targeting yellow perch had the best success fishing near Vincent Point in around 15 feet of water using nightcrawlers and live minnows. Anglers targeting walleye had the best success fishing off 2 Mile Reef in around 25 feet of water and near Vincent Point in 10 to 18 feet of water by jigging nightcrawlers and Rippin' Raps. Anglers also unintentionally caught drum/sheepshead, white perch and channel catfish. The reported water temperature was around 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eagle's Nest: Limited to moderate fishing activity was observed this week. Part of the weekend had windy and rainy conditions. Anglers targeting yellow perch had the best success fishing near Vincent Point in around 15 feet of water using nightcrawlers. Anglers also caught a few walleye in the same location. The reported water temperature was around 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chaudoir’s Dock: The Chaudoir's Dock boat launch and parking lot are closed for a few weeks due to dredging near the launch area.

Little Sturgeon Bay: Moderate fishing pressure was observed this week. Part of the week had windy conditions. Anglers targeting walleye had the best success fishing south near the Chaudoir's Dock area or near Henderson Point in 15 to 25 feet of water by jigging nightcrawlers or trolling crawler harnesses. There were no anglers interviewed who were targeting yellow perch, although a few yellow perch were unintentionally caught by walleye anglers. The reported water temperature was around 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sawyer Harbor: Moderate fishing activity was observed this week. Part of the week had windy conditions. Anglers targeting walleye had the best success fishing off Larson's Reef by jigging nightcrawlers in 20 to 25 feet of water. There were no anglers interviewed who were targeting yellow perch this week. The reported water temperature was around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Aug. 10, 2026: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Green Bay: Smallmouth bass and walleye were the main targets throughout the Green Bay side this week. At Ephraim, boat and pier anglers targeted smallmouth bass, with boaters also fishing for walleye. Smallmouth bass were caught using drop-shot rigs. At Peninsula State Park, pier anglers targeted smallmouth bass and had success with worms and Ned rigs. Boat anglers targeting walleye had good success, with one angler catching walleyes in 15 to 25 feet of water using worms and hard plastics. Water temperatures ranged from 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. At Egg Harbor, anglers targeting smallmouth bass found success using Ned rigs. Water temperatures ranged from 71 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Pier anglers also targeted smallmouth bass, yellow perch and rock bass using artificial plastic baits. At Sister Bay Pier, anglers targeted yellow perch, walleye and smallmouth bass.

Lake Michigan: At Gills Rock, anglers targeted Chinook salmon with spoons and flies while fishing in 110 to 145 feet of water, having mixed success this week. At Baileys Harbor Pier, anglers targeted smallmouth bass and northern pike with limited catches. At Rowley’s Bay Ramp, boat anglers targeted smallmouth bass and yellow perch, with worms producing fish.

Sturgeon Bay: Shoreline anglers were going for and catching smallmouth bass. A mix of worms and brown colored soft plastics were mostly used. Boaters fishing in and near the canal were fishing for yellow perch, smallmouth bass and walleye. Yellow perch groups were mostly using worms as bait and typically fishing in 12 feet of water. Smallmouth bass boaters were fishing in 10 to 20 feet of water using dark colored soft plastics. Walleye anglers reported fishing in 25 feet of water. Surface temperature average in the canal was about 74 degrees Fahrenheit. On Lake Michigan, boaters targeting trout and salmon reported catching Chinook salmon and rainbow trout during the week. Most reported bites came between 40 to 60 feet down with groups fishing in 90 to 120 feet of water. Surface temperature average was around 66 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee County

Algoma: Pier anglers were out targeting trout and salmon while Ahnapee River anglers were mainly fishing for yellow perch. From those surveyed, yellow perch and round goby were being caught while using nightcrawlers as bait. Water clarity along the Ahnapee River was around 1 to 2 feet of visibility. Groups fishing on Lake Michigan reported catching mostly Chinook salmon, with some rainbow trout and Coho salmon caught as well. The average depth of bites occurred between 35 to 45 feet down and most groups were fishing in 90 to 100 feet of water. Green and glow spoons along with flasher flies were commonly used. As the week progressed, surface temperatures rose as well, averaging around 65 degrees Fahrenheit for the week.

Kewaunee: Anglers fishing along the pier and shoreline were primarily going after trout and salmon. Chinook salmon were caught later in the week using jigging spoons and Kastmasters. Coming off of Lake Michigan, boaters were catching Chinook salmon with the occasional rainbow trout mixed in. Most groups reported bites between 40 to 50 feet and were typically fishing in 90 to 110 feet. Red tipped spoons were the preferred presentation. Surface temperatures rose slightly from last week, with an average of around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Manitowoc County

Anglers have been catching some Chinook salmon, along with a few rainbow trout. The average group had 4-6 fish, with a couple groups reporting catches of 11. Anglers reported catches from 40-220 feet. Some groups reported catches from 80-90 feet, with the best results coming from 55-70 feet. Most groups had success with spoons, and cracked ice and spotted baits produced solid catches. Surface temperatures ranged from 66-69 degrees, with 50-degree temperatures anywhere from 50-60 feet down. Anglers caught some smallmouth bass in the harbor and river areas. Pier anglers have caught a mostly Chinook salmon with a couple of rainbow trout. Cleos and spoons have been good baits.

 

Aug. 10, 2026: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

Both Racine and Kenosha had several fishing from shore and piers for salmon and perch with no catches reported. Boat anglers had good catches of salmon and rainbows in 125 to 200 feet trolling spoons.

Milwaukee County

North Milwaukee: Boats out of McKinley were fishing primarily in 100-150 feet of water, where the surface temperature was 70-72 degrees Fahrenheit. Most boats were using flashers, with plugs or flies, and spoon use tended to be primarily greens, blues and bloody-nosed varieties. More anglers reported using dipsy-divers, downriggers and planer boards than in previous weeks, possibly due to the larger number of trollers fishing in deeper water and covering greater distances than in previous weeks Shore-casters in the North Shore were also limited due to shoreline access issues due to the triathlon and weather. Crank baits and small live bait (mostly worms) were most commonly used and anglers on the McKinley pier pulled in quite a variety of fish including drum and bass, while anglers in the Lakeshore area had success with bluegill and rock bass.

South Milwaukee: Boats out of the South Shore Ramp were also a little bit deeper over the last week, and their fishing efforts ranged from 80-130 feet of water, with a couple groups if interview anglers reporting specifically fishing in 200-250 feet of water. Anglers from all depths reported surface water temperatures 68-71 degrees Fahrenheit. Most anglers interviewed from the South Shore Ramp also reported using dipsy-divers, downriggers and planer boards with higher frequency than previous weeks. Flasher flies and spoons were frequently used, as usual, and spoons recommendations tended to be green or green and white. Anglers at Bender Park Ramp indicated they were fishing in 90-125 feet of water with surface temperatures at 70 degrees Fahrenheit and the temperature break/barrier occurring between 50-70 down. Anglers here also reported using flasher flies and dipsy-divers. Spoon colors that had the highest amount of success were also green. Bender Park ramp had another week of jet ski majority ramp usage.

Ozaukee County

Pier/Shore: Many anglers fishing from the shore at Coal Dock Park were targeting perch, having high success using night crawlers as bait. Other anglers were targeting Coho and Chinook salmon from South pier with little success using spoons and flasher flies. Most anglers that were fishing off the North pier were unsuccessful when targeting Coho and Chinook salmon.

Ramp: Fishing effort and harvest rates were moderate to low. Anglers who went out came back with one to two fish per person. The most common fish caught was Chinook salmon. Anglers who had success during their fishing trips were using light-colored spoons and flasher flies.The depth most Chinook salmon were caught at was about 80-100 feet. Rainbow trout were targeted by a small portion of anglers. Rainbow trout were caught on spoons as well. Thunderstorms prevented anglers from getting onto the water Sunday morning, limiting fishing effort and harvest success.

Racine County

Both Racine and Kenosha had several fishing from shore and piers for salmon and perch with no catches reported. Boat anglers had good catches of salmon and rainbows in 125 to 200 feet trolling spoons.

Sheboygan County

Pier/Shore: Both piers had high fishing effort, with limited success throughout the week. The Chinook salmon that were harvested from the piers were caught from using lighter-toned spoons. Many anglers went fishing after a thunderstorm that rolled through, targeting salmon with minimal success despite the weather conditions.

Ramp: Limited fishing effort was observed throughout this past week. Anglers who went out had mixed success, with most reporting limited catches and a few reaching their limits. Successful anglers were trolling 3-4 miles offshore using spoons and flasher flies, although spoons were the bait used to harvest most fish. Chinook salmon was the most targeted species throughout the week. Sunday's rain and thunderstorm hindered anglers from fishing, limited individuals went out after the storms due to 3-4 foot waves being present.