Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - July 7, 2025

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.

 

July 7, 2025: West Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Brown County

Duck Creek: Low fishing pressure was observed throughout the week. Rain over the weekend caused the creek to rise and get very muddy, making fishing tough. Anglers reported light catches, with largemouth bass being the species caught the most.

Suamico River: Low fishing pressure was observed throughout the week, with higher numbers of pleasure boaters observed over the holiday weekend. Windy and rainy conditions throughout the week most likely led to the low fishing pressure. Yellow perch anglers reported good catches, with most perch being caught using night crawlers in 15-20 feet of water. Walleye anglers reported low catches. Other species being caught this week include sheepshead, white bass and white perch. Water temperatures ranged between 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Marinette County

Light fishing pressure was observed this week, with much of the activity at launches being from jet skis and pleasure boaters. Those who were fishing were targeting salmon with success. Areas to the east of Green Island and south of Chambers Island held fish. Green flashers and flies were catching the most fish. A few fish were also being caught on spoons. An occasional steelhead and brown trout were showing up at the end of the week. Anglers fishing the rivers were catching catfish, sheepshead, white perch and smallmouth bass.

Oconto County

Moderate fishing pressure was observed this week when the weather was nice. Most anglers targeting perch found success. The best bite seemed to be on minnows, but some were being caught on crawlers. Water depths of 10 to 25 feet were commonly reported. Rock piles, weed beds and deeper areas around the shoals were all producing fish. Perch anglers were also catching the occasional bowfin, sheepshead, white perch and walleye.

Geano Beach: No anglers were interviewed at Geano Beach this week. Windy and rainy conditions likely kept anglers off the water. Pleasure boaters were out enjoying the Fourth of July weekend.

 

July 7, 2025: East Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Bayshore County Park: There was an increase in anglers targeting yellow perch this week, with most reporting success. The most productive area was just north of Bayshore Park in about 22 feet of water, using live nightcrawlers. A few anglers were targeting walleye. One angler reported catching five walleye using a shiver minnow in approximately 8 feet of water near Vincent's Point. The water temperature was approximately 74 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chaudoir’s Dock: This week, there was an increase in anglers targeting yellow perch, with most perch anglers reporting success. The most successful anglers were fishing with live nightcrawlers north of Chaudoir’s Dock in 24 to 27 feet of water. No walleye anglers were interviewed. The water temperature was approximately 71 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eagle’s Nest: Most interviewed boaters were recreational boaters and were not fishing. One boating angler reported catching a single walleye near Geano’s Reef while trolling with flicker minnows. No water temperature was reported.

Little Sturgeon Bay: All interviewed boaters were not fishing. One angler fishing off the pier reported catching 14 yellow perch, though most were on the smaller side. No water temperature was reported.

Sawyer Harbor: Moderate fishing activity was observed this week. Anglers primarily targeted smallmouth bass and northern pike. Those fishing for northern pike had success using smaller spoons in 10 feet of water. Anglers targeting smallmouth bass reported the best results using drop-shot rigs in approximately 12 feet of water. The water temperature was approximately 71 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

July 7, 2025: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

Anglers from the shoreline and pier had low success on perch this week. Round gobies have become a nuisance after the initial surge of perch from opening week. Sizes are down to around 6-9 inches on average, and a few anglers are catching limits.  

Boaters caught more rainbow trout than coho salmon this week. The lake surface temperatures were very inconsistent, with wind changes from day to day. Most anglers found success in 80 feet of water while fishing about 25 feet down. 

Milwaukee County

Ramps: Fishermen launching from both McKinley and South Shore boat ramps targeting Chinook salmon, are bringing in the most fish when trolling waters outside both harbors between 30-70 feet deep. Spoons continue to be the hot lure, with anglers bringing in king salmon averaging around 10 pounds, with the occasional rainbow and lake trout. Kings are hitting anywhere from 25-50 feet down the water column. Anglers also caught a couple of kings when directly casting spoons from their boat just outside the main gap of McKinley Marina. 

Shoreline: The scattered rain and variable winds during the latter half of this last week made fish movements harder to predict this weekend, especially with a small craft advisory over Saturday afternoon and evening. Shore anglers targeting perch off of McKinley Pier are reporting lower catch numbers than the previous week, and are having the most luck targeting the bottom of the water column using bottom weight in combination with white tube jigs. Anglers looking for salmon and trout off the pier report catching coho salmon between 3-5 pounds using jigging spoons off the rocks near the end of the pier, as well as a couple of brown trout. Anglers at Oak Creek Power Plant using similar lures are reporting the highest success rates for salmon and trout when fishing directly in the discharge channel or right where it flows into the lake, as bait fish populations have been dense in this area.

Ozaukee County

Port Washington Piers/Harbor: Frequent catches of coho Salmon have been reported off the south pier, as well as some Chinook salmon and rainbow trout. The most common tactics have been casting spoons and using shrimp or alewives. 

Port Washington Ramps: Boats have been reporting frequent catches of Chinook salmon, coho salmon and rainbow trout. Anglers are having the most success in 100-130 feet of water. The water temps are low, around 45 degrees Fahrenheit, 15 feet down. Most success has been reported running spoons, flasher flies and coho dodgers around 20-30 feet down in the water column. Boats have also reported success catching coho salmon and some Chinook salmon jigging spoons between the lighthouses.

Racine County

This week, shore anglers continued to have a more difficult time catching perch. High winds and several thunderstorms made fishing scarce most of the week. Live bait continued to be the most successful method.  

Boaters caught more rainbow trout this week than coho. Several Chinook salmon and lake trout were caught intermittently at varying depths. The lake surface temperatures were very inconsistent this week, with constant wind changes from day to day. Most anglers found success in 80 feet of water while fishing about 25 feet down. 

Sheboygan County

Sheboygan Harbor and Piers: This week, consistent catches of coho and Chinook salmon were reported. Casting spoons have been the main tactic used.

Sheboygan Ramps: Consistent catches of Chinook salmon, coho salmon and rainbow trout have been reported, with some catches of lake trout as well. Boats are reporting catching coho and Chinook salmon as well as rainbow trout in 60-100 feet of water. Spoons in a variety of colors have been very productive. Most Chinook salmon were caught deeper in the water column, around 40-60 feet down.

 

July 7, 2025: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Northern Door County: Shore anglers were out targeting smallmouth bass and rock bass. Boating anglers were targeting Chinook salmon, steelhead and smallmouth bass. Shore anglers looking to catch rock bass had good luck in Egg Harbor and Ephraim using night crawlers and leeches. Some shore anglers were also targeting smallmouth bass and had success in Fish Creek using jerk baits and night crawlers. Boating anglers targeting salmonids had great success at Baileys Harbor, Rowley's Bay and Bue’s Point. These anglers used a mix of flasher flies and spoons in waters 50-100 feet deep. Trolling around 2-3 miles per hour showed the best results. Boating anglers targeting smallmouth bass had the best success at Rowley’s Bay using ned rigs and swim bait in waters 4-10 feet deep. Also, smallmouth anglers had success in Gills Rock and Sister Bay using artificial baits in waters 5-10 feet deep.

Sturgeon Bay: Shoreline anglers were out targeting smallmouth bass. Both smallmouth bass and rock bass were caught with worms and soft plastics. Boaters out on Lake Michigan were going after both trout and salmon, with rainbow trout, coho salmon and Chinook salmon being recorded caught. The depth of bites was primarily between 25-60 feet down in 100-140 feet of water. Glow spoons and flasher flies were commonly used by those with fish. The trolling speed average was around 2.3 miles per hour. The surface temperature average was 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Boaters fishing in and near the canal were mainly targeting smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch. Smallmouth boaters were usually fishing in 10 to 12 feet of water. Walleye boaters were in around 18 feet of water. Surface temperatures in the canal were about 71 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee County

Algoma: Along the shorelines of Algoma, anglers were mainly going after yellow perch and northern pike. Species caught during the week by those surveyed include northern pike and bowfin. Lake Michigan boaters were targeting rainbow trout, coho salmon and Chinook salmon, with all three species being caught. The average depth of bites was between 20-40 feet down in 90-140 feet of water. Green-colored flasher flies and spoons were often used by those with fish. The trolling speed average was about 2.4 miles per hour. Surface temperatures ranged from 53 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average of around 62 degrees. 

Kewaunee: Shoreline and pier anglers were out targeting both trout and salmon. On Lake Michigan, boaters were also going after both trout and salmon, with rainbow trout, Coho salmon and Chinook salmon being recorded caught. Typical depth of bites during the week fell between 30-50 feet down. Most groups were fishing in 80-140 feet of water. Light green spoons and flasher flies were a successful lure for groups with fish. The average trolling speed for boaters was about 2.4 miles per hour. Surface temperatures ranged from 54 to 62 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average of around 60 degrees.

Manitowoc County

Anglers have reported consistent catches of Chinook, coho, and rainbow trout, with a few lake trout also being caught. Interviewed groups have been averaging 4-6 fish per trip. A couple of groups caught 15, 12 and 10. Fish measured this week included a 16-pound Chinook, a 6.5-pound coho and a rainbow trout weighing 11.5 pounds. Anglers reported fishing anywhere from 40-110 feet. The most consistent bite reported was in depths from 65-90 feet. Surface temperatures were reported from 60-62 degrees Fahrenheit, with 48 degrees reported 80 feet down. A mix of flasher flies and spoons was successful with green, blue and blood as good colors. Trolling speeds reported were anywhere from 2.8-2 miles per hour, with 2-2.4 at the ball being the most common. Anglers from Manitowoc/Two Rivers piers caught a rainbow trout and a carp. The rainbow trout was caught with cooked shrimp under a bobber.