Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - July 20, 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.

 

July 20, 2026: West Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Brown County

Fox River: The lower Fox River water temperature was 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Shore anglers have been catching white perch, white bass, sheepshead and a few bluegill using live baits near the mouth of the river.

Fox River Mouth: No report available this week.

Suamico River: No report available this week.

Marinette County

This week, there was heavy fishing pressure for salmon and trout as many local anglers fished Salmon O Rama. Very good catches of chinook salmon were seen with three and four person limits caught on several days. Chambers Island was the most popular spot, but fish were being caught all over the bay. Most of the catches consisted of salmon, with only a few browns and rainbows being caught. No real color of spoon, plug or flashers stood out as being best. Lots of different lures were working. Most anglers were finding fish from 60 feet of water and deeper, with the shipping channel being popular. Salmon were averaging between 8 to 14 pounds, with a few larger and smaller filling out the coolers. Surface temperatures were pushing 80 degrees with the recent heat. Cooler water was starting around 40 feet down in most places.

Oconto County

Yellow perch fishing picked back up this week with good catches seen out of Oconto County Park 2. Rocks and weeds in the 10- to 12-foot range were holding perch as well as a few walleyes. Crawlers were the top bait. Some perch were also being caught out deeper in waters 25 to 35 feet deep. Walleye anglers were having good luck out of Pensaukee this week. Oconto and Oconto County Park 2 were starting to get some decent catches as well. Trolling crawler harnesses was working best, but a few good catches were seen on crankbaits. Most walleye anglers were targeting depths of 20 feet and deeper. Sheepshead were numerous while trolling for walleyes with a few northern pike and catfish around as well.

Geano Beach: Throughout much of the week, the air was stagnant with heavy smoke, causing very low visibility. For a brief time on Saturday afternoon, a strong southern wind pushed smoke off the bay but created large 5-foot swells, making fishing difficult, and many anglers returned to shore. Overall, fishing pressure was low to medium throughout the week. Anglers targeting walleye did best by either heading north near Pensaukee or Oconto or towards the east shore. Anglers reported walleye bites were unusually scattered. Anglers with the best results were slow trolling with crank baits or spoons over 15 to 20 feet of water. Walleye that were kept ranged from 17 to 26 inches, with anglers preferring to release the larger fish. Anglers targeting yellow perch also reported a slow bite. Successful parties caught between two to nine yellow perch ranging from 6 to 9 inches, with most being caught near Long Tail Point and Little Tail Point. Anglers also caught some sheepshead and channel catfish while trolling around Green Bay. One angler caught a musky on a small spoon.

 

July 20, 2026: East Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Bayshore Park: Limited to moderate fishing pressure was observed this week. Windy and smoky conditions were present for part of the week. Anglers targeting yellow perch had success near Vincent's Point using a mix of nightcrawlers and minnows. Anglers targeting walleye had the best success fishing north near Chaudoir's Dock and across the bay on the west shore near Pensaukee. Walleye anglers had success trolling crawler harnesses and Flicker Minnows, as well as jigging with nightcrawlers. Anglers also unintentionally caught channel catfish and freshwater drum (sheepshead). The reported water temperature was around 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eagle's Nest: Limited fishing pressure was observed this week. Windy and smoky conditions were present for part of the week. Two different anglers reported having success catching yellow perch further north near Vincent's Point using nightcrawlers. The reported water temperature was around 80 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: Limited to moderate fishing pressure was observed this week. Part of the week had smoky and windy conditions. Anglers targeting walleye had success trolling crawler harnesses and jigging with nightcrawlers off Larsons Reef in 10 to 30 feet of water. The walleye in around 30 feet of water were suspended higher in the water column. A few smallmouth bass were caught off Riley's Point and in the Snake Island area in around 10 feet of water. There were limited anglers targeting yellow perch this week, although one angler had good success fishing within Little Sturgeon Bay using live nightcrawlers. The reported water temperature was around 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sawyer Harbor: Limited boating activity was observed this week. Part of the week had smoky and windy conditions. One angler reported catching three walleyes while trolling crawler harnesses outside the mouth of Sawyer Harbor in around 18 feet of water. Anglers also unintentionally caught freshwater drum (sheepshead). The reported water temperature was around 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

July 20, 2026: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Green Bay: Smallmouth bass remained the primary target for shore and boat anglers. In Peninsula State Park, pier anglers caught several 17-inch smallmouth bass using swimbaits and nightcrawlers. Egg Harbor anglers reported good success catching smallmouth bass and rock bass, with one incidental freshwater drum also reported. Water temperatures ranged from 72.5 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. At Murphy Park, anglers caught a few smallmouth bass and rock bass on nightcrawlers, including one 14-inch smallmouth bass. Ellison Bay saw mostly pleasure boating activity, with surface water temperatures around 74 degrees Fahrenheit. In Sister Bay, pier anglers reported catching around 10 smallmouth bass per group using nightcrawlers. Boaters also found success, catching approximately 15 smallmouth bass on worms ranging from 16 to 19 inches and 2.5 to 4 pounds. A few boat anglers targeted Chinook salmon, catching fish in approximately 100 feet of water, with bites occurring around 50 feet down while trolling green spoons. At Ephraim/Anderson Pier, water temperatures reached 76 degrees Fahrenheit, and anglers reported good success catching smallmouth bass using soft plastics, nightcrawlers, Ned rigs and drop-shot presentations.

Lake Michigan: Surface water temperatures at Baileys Harbor ranged from 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. At Rowley’s Bay Ramp, anglers targeted both Chinook salmon and smallmouth bass, with surface temperatures ranging from 73 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Sparkly tube jigs and drop-shot rigs produced smallmouth bass, and one angler reported catching approximately 80 smallmouth bass during a recent previous outing using hard-plastic imitation gobies and poppers. At Bue’s Point, surface water temperatures ranged from 75 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Anglers targeting Chinook salmon reported fishing in 100 to 160 feet of water, with most fish caught 40 to 110 feet down. Green flasher flies and spoons were reported as the most productive presentations.

Sturgeon Bay: Along the shorelines, anglers were fishing for a variety of species, with smallmouth bass, rock bass, yellow perch and round goby reported caught. Most of these anglers used nightcrawlers as bait. Most groups fishing in the canal were going after yellow perch. Average surface temperature in the canal was 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Boaters launching out on Lake Michigan were targeting both trout and salmon. Most catches were Chinook salmon with rainbow trout caught as well. These groups had bites between 50 to 60 feet down and were primarily fishing in 90 to 140 feet of water. Red tipped spoons and flasher flies were commonly used. Surface temperatures ranged from 70 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee County

Algoma: Boaters on Lake Michigan were targeting both trout and salmon, with Chinook salmon, rainbow trout, Coho salmon and lake trout reported caught in order from most to least common. Most fish were caught between 30 to 50 feet down and while fishing in 70 to 100 feet of water. Blue and green lures were most popular throughout the week. Surface temperatures ranged from 66 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee: Off the ramp, groups were targeting trout and salmon out on Lake Michigan. Mostly Chinook salmon along with some rainbow trout were reported caught by these boaters. These anglers caught most fish between 30 to 50 feet down while fishing in 80 to 100 feet of water. Various shades of blue were the preferred colors. Surface temperatures varied from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Manitowoc County

Anglers have been catching Chinook salmon, along with rainbow trout and a few brown trout. A total of 75 Chinook salmon and 35 rainbow trout were reported this week. The average catch was two to five fish per group. Some measured fish included Chinook salmon weighing 18.10 and 16.10 pounds and a 9.9-pound rainbow trout. Surface water temperatures of around 74 degrees with 69-degree water 50 feet down were reported at the end of the week. The most productive groups were fishing in 70-90 feet of water. Most of the bites were coming in the upper 40 feet of the water column. Spoons and flasher flies both produced fish, with black/green as a standout color choice. Trolling speeds of 2.0-2.2 at the ball was successful. Anglers fishing the piers reported five rainbow trout caught on small spoons.

 

July 20, 2026: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

No report available this week.

Milwaukee County

North Milwaukee: The recent heat wave impacted fishing in the northern Milwaukee area, as there was a much larger amount of people trying to get to/on the water, causing the launch ramps and accessible shorelines to become very crowded and the water temperature to rise significantly. At the start of the week, shore anglers with thermometer attachments were finding water in the upper 70s during their efforts, and by the end of the week, temperatures hitting 80 degrees Fahrenheit were being recorded. Boats out of McKinley were targeting locations deeper than the previous week and were fishing in 80-150 feet of water. Most boats were using flashers with flies, and spoon use tended to be primarily in the blue range, with more than a few anglers using the blue dolphin spoon. A larger than usual amount of pleasure boat traffic forced a lot of anglers to start earlier than usual.

South Milwaukee: Boats out of the South Shore Ramp were also running a little bit deeper than in previous weeks, with fishing efforts ranging from 85-165 feet of water. Anglers here also had some success with flashers with flies and spoons of the green or glow variety. Flounder Pounder lures were mentioned a few times by successful anglers coming cleaning at the southern Milwaukee ramps.

Ozaukee County

Pier/Shore: Moderate fishing effort was observed throughout the weekend. Fish Fest took place, ultimately decreasing space for anglers. The anglers that did fish had no success throughout their fishing trips when targeting salmon and trout. A few anglers had success in catching smallmouth bass.

Ramp: Low fishing effort took place. Air quality alerts limited anglers from getting onto the lake. The anglers that did go out had little success when targeting salmon and trout, averaging zero to one per person. As the water temperatures rose, fishing success declined. The surface temperature of the water averaged 74 degrees Fahrenheit, decreasing the number of salmon in the area. Many people were on the water doing recreational activities.

Racine County

No report available this week.

Sheboygan County

Pier/Shore: Low fishing effort took place due to air quality alerts within the area. Many people were not out fishing. The anglers that did go out had no success with salmon and trout. Anglers were on both the north and south pier using spoons as bait.

Ramp: Little success and fishing effort was observed. Extreme air quality conditions hindered many anglers from going out. Those who did go fishing had little success. Anglers who had success in their fishing trips came back with king salmon, averaging zero to one salmon per person. The salmon were caught on spoons while trolling through 90 feet of water, 50 feet under the surface. Water temperatures are rising, decreasing the fish density in the surrounding area.