Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - June 8, 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.

 

June 8, 2026: West Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Brown County

Fox River: Moderate to high fishing pressure was observed this week throughout the Fox River locations. Successful anglers caught white bass, white perch, freshwater drum, channel catfish, and various bass species. Many anglers were using live bait on a variety of rigs including bottom rigs, crawler harnesses and a few plastic/hair jigs. Warmer sunny weather over the weekend brought numerous families out to the river to enjoy the Fox River fishery with water temperatures reaching the mid-70s. 

Suamico River: Moderate fishing pressure was observed this week. Successful anglers reported catches of walleye, yellow perch, white bass, white perch, and a few various catfish or suckers. Walleye caught ranged in size from 8 – 25 inches long. Yellow perch anglers reported successful catches in the northern part of the bay inside Little Tail Point with sizes ranging between 9 – 13 inches. Water temperatures were in the low 70s this week following the warmer weather conditions. 

Marinette County

Fishing activity was rather light this week. Anglers out on the Menominee River were still targeting musky with fish being around but not biting very well. A few boats started looking for brown trout and salmon out on the bay. Light catches were reported with a few browns being caught and not much for salmon yet. A few walleyes were caught on the lower Peshtigo River this week drifting with crawlers. Bass fishing was good at the mouth of the river using various baits such as soft plastic swimbaits, crankbaits, and jerk baits. Anglers noted seeing lots of carp and schools of gar in the river as well. Water temps in the rivers were around the 70 degree mark.

Oconto County

Numbers of anglers were down from previous weeks. The walleye catches were quite a bit lower this week with an average of zero to 3 per boat. Fish were still reported to be shallow with catches coming in 5 to 8 feet of water. Anglers reported seeing some schools of alewife in deeper waters but not in huge numbers. Some anglers started looking for perch with the walleye bite tapering off this week. Nothing consistent was seen with good and poor catches reported from all kinds of water depths. Minnows seem to be the better choice for bait and targeting emerging weeds around the 8 to 12 foot depths was best. However, fish were reported caught anywhere from the river and shorelines out to 40 feet of water. Water temps in the bay were reported in the upper 60s with river temps in the low 70s.

Geano Beach: Little to no fishing pressure was observed during the week. Weekend use increased but most, if not all, were recreational boaters out enjoying the warm weather. 

 

June 8, 2026: East Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Bayshore Park: Moderate to heavy fishing pressure was observed this week. Anglers targeting walleye had the best success trolling Flicker Minnows near Maccos Reef in 8 to 22 feet of water. Anglers also unintentionally caught freshwater drum (sheepshead), white perch and channel catfish. Anglers targeting yellow perch had limited success this week. The water temperature ranged from 67 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eagle's Nest: Moderate fishing activity was observed this week. Anglers targeting walleye had the best success trolling Flicker Minnows near Renard Island in around 8 feet of water and near Frying Pan Shoal in 12 to 15 feet of water. Anglers also unintentionally caught freshwater drum (sheepshead), white perch and yellow perch. The water temperature was between 70 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chaudoir’s Dock: Moderate fishing activity was observed this week. Walleye anglers had moderate success fishing approximately 1.5 miles south of Chaudoir's Dock in around 18 feet of water while trolling Flicker Minnows. There were no anglers interviewed this week who were targeting yellow perch. The water temperature was around 63 degrees Fahrenheit.

Little Sturgeon Bay: Moderate to heavy fishing pressure was observed this week. Anglers targeting smallmouth bass and walleye had the best success fishing in 10 feet of water or less. Catch rates for both species were lower than the previous week. Anglers targeting musky had success fishing within Little Sturgeon Bay using bucktails and jerkbaits. There were no anglers interviewed this week who were targeting yellow perch. A high number of recreational boaters who were not fishing used the launch this week. The water temperature ranged from 62 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sawyer Harbor: Limited fishing activity was observed this week. One walleye angler was interviewed and reported catching one walleye in less than 10 feet of water off Idlewild Point. There were no anglers interviewed this week who were targeting yellow perch or smallmouth bass. The water temperature was between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

June 8, 2026: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Green Bay: Smallmouth bass remained the primary target species reported by anglers this week. Fishing success varied among locations, with the highest catch rates reported by boat anglers in Ellison Bay, where one angler caught 32 smallmouth bass during a 10-hour outing using natural-colored tubes, paddle tails and jerk baits. At Egg Harbor Pier, a pair of anglers caught six smallmouth bass and one rock bass in approximately one hour using white tube jigs and ultralight rods, which they reported helped them detect subtle strikes. One angler at Anderson Dock caught a 15-inch smallmouth and Ellison Bay Pier reported catching a small number of bass on tube jigs and drop-shot rigs. Water temperatures reported at Ephraim Ramp ranged from 60-62 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating that spawning activity is likely underway. 

Lake Michigan: Fishing activity on the Lake Michigan side remained light throughout the week. Most anglers targeted smallmouth bass, with some also targeting northern pike. No successful catches were reported from Baileys Harbor, Rowley's Bay Pier or Gills Rock. Several anglers noted slow fishing conditions despite generally favorable weather. Rowley's Bay Ramp is still not open to the public; most boaters are launching from Bue's Point in Moonlight Bay instead.

Sturgeon Bay: Shoreline anglers primarily targeted smallmouth bass. In the canal most groups were out fishing for smallmouth bass. Species caught included smallmouth bass, rock bass, and yellow perch. The average depth of water for smallmouth bass was between 2 to 6 feet, while yellow perch were caught in 12 feet of water. Light colored soft plastics were used often for smallmouth bass and minnows for the yellow perch. Water temperature in the canal was about 64 degrees Fahrenheit. On Lake Michigan boaters were going after both trout and salmon. Rainbow trout and Chinook salmon were caught. The average depth of bites fell between 30 to 80 feet, and the average depth of water was 75 to 120 feet of water. Surface temperature average on Lake Michigan was around 49 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Kewaunee County

Algoma: Along the Ahnapee River, anglers were mainly targeting northern pike. Bowfin were caught with minnows used as bait. Water clarity was similar to last week being around 1 to 2 feet of visibility. Boaters on Lake Michigan were fishing for both trout and salmon with coho and Chinook salmon being caught. The average depth of bites came between 60 to 75 feet down, and the average depth of water was around 120 to 180 feet. Surface temperatures ranged from 42 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit with an average of about 47 degrees.

Kewaunee: Anglers fishing the pier were going after both trout and salmon. Boaters were also targeting both trout and salmon with rainbow trout and coho salmon caught. Depth of bites averaged between 15 to 35 feet down, and the average depth of water was around 110 to 160 feet. Surface temperatures ranged from 44 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit with an average of about 48 degrees.  

Manitowoc County

Anglers have had consistent catches of both Chinook salmon and rainbow trout. Interviewed groups also caught a good number of coho salmon as well. The average group is catching between 3-5 fish. Measured fish included an 18.3-pound Chinook, 8.85-pound rainbow trout, and an 11.4-pound lake trout. Groups reported catching fish from 80 feet to 140 feet. The best results were between 80-100 feet. Chinook salmon were mostly caught 55-60 feet down, with rainbow and coho in the upper half of the water column. Surface temperatures reported right around 54 degrees with 49-degree water 40 feet down. Spoons and flasher flies were both working well. For the spoon bite yellow was a standout color. Flasher flies in green/white or blue were the most mentioned. One group that did well reported an effective trolling speed of 2.8 mph.

 

June 8, 2026: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

Pier/Shore: Pier and shore fishing continues to be difficult for any salmon and trout species. There were a few anglers out this week and they had no luck in the harbors. 

Ramps: Anglers began catching a few Chinook, lake trout, and rainbow trout, but it was still mostly coho harvest. Numbers were lower than previous weeks as most groups returned with half limits of fish. Additionally, anglers were catching some in 50-70 feet while others found success beyond 120 feet of water. 

Milwaukee County

North Milwaukee: Boaters were having good catches of coho in 70 to 100 feet and only a few rainbows and Chinook were caught. 

South Milwaukee: There were few anglers from piers and shore except Oak Creek Power plant on Sunday, where there was some smallmouth bass action.

Ozaukee County

Piers/Shore: Moderate fishing effort was observed this past week. Anglers were targeting coho and Chinook salmon, with little to no success reported. Some anglers used alewives caught from the pier as bait, while others used spoons.

Ramp: High fishing effort was observed this past week. Many anglers were targeting coho and Chinook salmon. On Saturday a high number of fish were harvested, including many coho salmon, rainbow trout, and a few Chinook salmon. Most anglers who harvested rainbow trout were not specifically targeting them. Fish were mostly found and caught in approximately 90–110 feet of water. Anglers were mainly using spoons.

Racine County

Pier/Shore: Pier and shore fishing continues to be difficult for any salmon and trout species. Some anglers did report success catching smallmouth bass and channel catfish in the harbor or the boat ramp bay. Panfish have started to pop up as well, as everyone prepares for the June 16th yellow perch opener!

Ramp: Anglers began catching a few Chinook, lake trout, and rainbow trout, but it was still mostly Coho harvest. Numbers were lower than previous weeks as most groups returned with half limits of fish. Additionally, anglers were catching some in 50-70 feet while others found success beyond 120 feet of water. 

Sheboygan County

Fishing in Sheboygan was extremely busy over the weekend. There was a small amount of success from anglers fishing off the North Pier, harvesting coho salmon and Chinook salmon. Boaters were harvesting an abundant amount of coho salmon, with many boats coming in at their limit. Rainbow trout were caught and harvested on occasion with few anglers targeting them. Boaters in the morning had the most success.