Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - Feb. 24, 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.

 

The DNR does not verify or guarantee the reported ice conditions, and anglers should proceed at their own risk. Please use extreme caution as conditions can change rapidly.

Ice Safety

  • There is no such thing as safe ice. You cannot judge the strength of ice by one factor such as its appearance, age, thickness, temperature, or whether the ice is covered with snow. Ice seldom freezes uniformly and can vary greatly in different areas of the same water body. It is important to know before you go. The DNR does not monitor local ice conditions or the thickness of the ice. Local bait shops, fishing clubs, and resorts serve winter anglers every day and often have the most up-to-date information. If you’re heading out onto a frozen lake for the first time, check the ice yourself and check it often.
  • Ice Safety Tips:
    • Carry some basic safety gear: ice claws or picks, a cellphone in a waterproof case, a life jacket, and a length of rope.
    • Dress warm in layers.
    • Don’t go alone. Head out with friends or family. Carry a cell phone with you and make sure someone knows where you are and when you are expected to return.
    • Know before you go. Don’t travel in areas you are not familiar with and don’t travel at night during reduced visibility.
    • Avoid inlets, outlets, or narrows that may have current that can cause thin ice.

 

Feb. 24, 2025: West Shore Green Bay Ice Creel Report

Oconto Route

Menominee River: Little fishing was observed off Sixth Street this week. Upstream areas around the dam had plenty of shore ice with a limited channel of open water running through.

Oconto City Park: Fishing activity during the week was rather light, with a large increase over the weekend. Most anglers were going out to the first crack. A few northern pike were reported to have been caught, and ATVs and snowmobiles were observed.

Oconto Harbor and County Parks: Angling pressure was low during the week but warmer weather on the weekend increased the numbers of anglers. Perch were reportedly hard to find this week. There was an increase in anglers targeting and catching pike. Travel on the ice was reported to be better toward the weekend with the snow settling.

Peshtigo River Mouth: Most anglers were targeting northern pike south of the river along the shoreline. Large dead baits and live minnows were working.
 

Suamico Route

Geano Beach: Lots of activity was observed here over the weekend. A good number of recreational snowmobilers and ATVs were seen along with the anglers. A few whitefish and walleyes were reported caught out by the reefs.

Hook Road: Little fishing pressure was observed this week. Most anglers were seen south closer to the Suamico access.

Long Tail Point: Moderate fishing pressure was observed over the weekend. Most anglers were heading south of the access. Travel was reportedly good with four-wheel drive vehicles or snowmobiles.

Suamico: Heavy fishing pressure was observed over the weekend. Most anglers were heading straight out from the access on a plowed road. A few perch were being caught in 10 to 12 feet of water on minnows.

Fox River Route

Voyageur Park and Perkofski Launch: Only a handful of anglers were observed on the ice during the week, and they were using these two access sites. Anglers reported an increase in fish in the river, but catches are still low. A few walleyes in the 12 to 16-inch range were caught on jigging raps.

 

Feb. 24, 2025: East Shore Green Bay Ice Creel Report

Big Creek Route: Limited angling pressure was observed this week. There were a couple of groups of anglers that were observed going out on the ice near Pebble Beach Lane, although there were no reports from anglers on how they did.

Little Sturgeon Bay: There was heavy fishing pressure observed in Green Bay proper and moderate fishing pressure observed in Little Sturgeon Bay. Anglers targeting whitefish on Green Bay had the best success using gold-colored jigs and jigging them very close to the bottom in around 35 feet of water. Anglers targeting yellow perch in Little Sturgeon Bay had limited success.

Sherwood Route: Heavy fishing pressure was observed on Green Bay proper this week and moderate fishing pressure was observed in Sawyer Harbor. Anglers reported having a challenging time catching whitefish and yellow perch. Anglers were able to catch a limited number of whitefish on Green Bay using plastic jigs in 30 feet of water. Anglers reported that they were able to observe high numbers of yellow perch in Sawyer Harbor, although they couldn't get them to bite. Yellow perch fishing should pick up as warmer weather moves in.

 

Nov. 1, 2024: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

The 2024 open water creel season has ended for Southern Lake Michigan including Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties. Thank you to all those who participated in the survey this year. We look forward to seeing everyone again next spring!

 

Nov. 1, 2024: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

The 2024 open water creel season has ended for Northern Lake Michigan including Manitowoc, Kewaunee and open waters of Door counties. Thank you to all those who participated in the survey this year. We look forward to seeing everyone again next spring!