Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - Sept. 22, 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.

 

Sept. 22, 2025: West Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Brown County

Fox River Anglers: Moderate fishing pressure was observed this week, although high winds and rain likely limited the number of anglers out fishing on some days. Many pleasure boaters were seen winterizing their boats with the start of fall. Anglers reported catching sheepshead, smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch and largemouth bass. Most anglers were trolling harnesses with a mix of crawlers and minnows as bait. Water temperatures ranged between 68 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit this week.

Suamico River: Moderate to low fishing pressure was observed this week, with poor weather conditions greatly impacting the number of anglers launching from this location. Successful anglers reported catching yellow perch, smallmouth bass, northern pike and sheepshead. Yellow perch anglers caught their limits this week, with sizes of perch kept ranging between 8 and 12 inches. Bass anglers reported fish ranging between 2 and 4 pounds in size along the west shore of Green Bay. Water temperatures ranged in the high 60s this week. 

Marinette County

Fishing pressure was rather low this week. A few pink salmon were reported in the Menominee and Peshtigo Rivers. Small jigs with plastics were catching a few fish along with some walleyes, especially near dark below the Peshtigo dam. Walleyes were in the 15 to 16-inch range. Downstream towards the bay, anglers are targeting perch on the Peshtigo out of the launch on Hwy BB, and are having decent luck. Crawlers and minnows were working with minnows being a better option. Warm weather had river temps up to 70 degrees after falling to 60 last week.

Oconto County

Most anglers were targeting perch this week from shore at Oconto County Park 2 and offshore around the rock piles, as well as off the Oconto shoal. Minnows were working well with a variety of sized fish from 5 to 15 inches. Anglers fishing around Young’s Reef were getting a mix of walleyes and whitefish while trolling harnesses and crankbaits. A few pink salmon were seen upriver near the dam at Stiles, but no catches were recorded.

Geano Beach: Low fishing pressure was observed this week due to windy weather. Successful anglers reported catches of walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and sheepshead. Walleye fishermen found the best catches trolling flicker minnows at a speed of around 1.8 miles per hour. Sizes ranged between 20 and 26 inches near the west shore, while fish caught closer to the east shoreline were around 26 and 30 inches in length. Yellow perch fishermen caught fish ranging between 8-10 inches. Water temperatures ranged in the high 60s throughout the week.

 

Sept. 22, 2025: East Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Bayshore County Park: Heavy fishing pressure was observed this week. Anglers targeting yellow perch had great success fishing near Vincent's Point in around 13 to 17 feet of water using live minnows. Walleye anglers also had success trolling flicker minnows and casting shiver minnows near Vincent’s Point. The water temperature was around 67 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chaudoir’s Dock: Limited fishing pressure was observed this week. Anglers targeting yellow perch had success using minnows in around 20 feet of water just north of Chaudoir’s Dock boat launch. Walleye anglers had the best success fishing on the west shore of Green Bay near Geanos Reef. The reported water temperature was around 66 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eagle’s Nest: There was an increase in anglers this week. Anglers targeting yellow perch had success fishing near Vincent's Point in around 13 to 17 feet of water using live minnows. The water temperature was around 67 degrees Fahrenheit.

Little Sturgeon Bay: There was limited to moderate fishing pressure observed this week. Anglers targeting yellow perch had some success fishing within Little Sturgeon Bay, although most of the perch caught were on the smaller side. There were no reports from walleye anglers this week. The water temperature was around 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sawyer Harbor: There was limited to moderate fishing pressure observed this week. Anglers targeting yellow perch had mixed success fishing within Sawyer Harbor, although most of the perch caught were on the smaller side. There were no reports from walleye anglers this week. The water temperature was around 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Sept. 22, 2025: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Northern Door County: Temperatures were down, and lots of rain and storms may have hindered people’s motivation to get out on the water. The few anglers who were out were targeting smallmouth bass. Both boat and shore anglers were able to catch a few bass in Egg Harbor and came up empty at other spots. Some shore anglers in Egg Harbor were also hoping to catch some northern pike or trout, but saw no success. Water temperatures were around 62 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Sturgeon Bay: From the shoreline, anglers surveyed, northern pike were caught during the week with spinners used as the preferred lure. Northern pike was also being targeted and caught by some of the canal boaters. Largemouth bass was reported as bycatch by some of the boaters surveyed. Other canal boaters were going after trout and salmon. Chinook salmon were reported to be caught with spoons, which are commonly used. Surface temperatures in the canal ranged from 61 to 63 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee County

Algoma: Along the pier and Ahnapee River, anglers were primarily going after trout and salmon. Rainbow trout and Chinook salmon were reported caught from those surveyed during the week. By Olsen Park, shoreline anglers and boaters were going after yellow perch. Both yellow perch and largemouth bass were caught with worms used as bait. Boaters who launched onto Lake Michigan were targeting both trout and salmon as well. Chinook salmon were reported caught with most groups fishing in the 40-to-60-foot range. Spoons and cured spawn were common lures and bait used. Surface temperatures here fell between 59 to 63 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee: Anglers fishing the pier and shorelines were targeting both trout and salmon. Coho salmon and Chinook salmon were recorded as caught, along with northern pike. Boaters were mainly fishing in the harbor, going after trout and salmon. Rainbow trout and Chinook salmon were reported caught by those surveyed throughout the week. Those who went out on Lake Michigan were primarily fishing in 120 feet of water, with bites coming between 60 to 70 feet down. Spoons, spinners and cured spawn were used by both harbor boaters and anglers on foot. On Lake Michigan, surface temperatures were mainly between 56 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit. And in the harbor, surface temperatures were typically between 60 to 62 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility’s Open House is on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, see our news release on open houses throughout the state.

Manitowoc County

Anglers have caught some Chinook, with an occasional rainbow trout and brown trout mixed in. Most groups have focused their efforts on the Manitowoc River and the mouth of the harbor. Interviewed groups have been averaging 2 fish per trip, with catches of 7 and 4 also reported. 29 total Chinook were recorded during the week. Most fish are coming out of 25 feet of water or less. Water temperatures are reported near 65 degrees Fahrenheit on the surface. The temperature on the river bottom at 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Successful groups have been trolling crank baits, like flicker shads. White and green are mentioned as good color options. Anglers fishing the Two Rivers Piers and Manitowoc Harbor have caught a few Chinooks. 10 Chinook were recorded in the Manitowoc Harbor, most of them caught suspending cured spawn underneath a float.

 

Sept. 22, 2025: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

Ramps: Boaters this week found the highest success in the harbor, catching chinook salmon. The recent increases in temperatures and more sunlight made the bite a little tougher than the past few weeks. Most anglers only had success while using cured spawn, with lures and other baits only getting a few bites.

Piers/Shoreline: Shore fisherman continued the same track as boaters this week, with the vast majority of chinook salmon biting cured spawn rather than lures. The best catches have been reported during early morning and late evenings.

Milwaukee County

Ramps: Anglers launching out of Milwaukee County Boat Ramps continue to flock to where the Milwaukee River meets the lake, with some groups keeping east of the Hoan Bridge, and others going further upriver. Fish seem to be scattered into random pockets across the river, with boats reporting very different catch rates despite similar locations and methods. Those fishing in the river near Greenfield Road to Kinnickinnic are having luck targeting salmon when trolling j-plugs, using spawn as bait, and occasionally jigging spoons. A couple of groups reported catching a few large yellow perch off spoons as well. 

Shoreline: Oak Creek Powerplant seems to have the highest rate of harvest per angler effort, with anglers casting spoons at the end of the pier and in the discharge chute alike, reeling in large Chinook salmon over 15 pounds, moderately sized Coho salmon and steelhead nearing 9 pounds. Some anglers are successfully using shrimp as salmon bait in this location. Anglers fishing from shore near the Hoan Bridge also reported success catching chinook salmon on cured spawn and jigging spoons, with the best catches in late morning to early afternoon, with several shoreline fishermen pulling in large kings (13-15 pounds each) and a few Coho salmon through the weekend when fishing behind Summerfest into the river. 

Ozaukee County

Ramps: Anglers report catching chinook salmon on cured spawn and jigging spoons while in the harbor, mostly early in the morning. A few are also being caught on crankbaits, mostly at night. Boats going out to troll report catching mature kings on j-plugs and spoons just outside the harbor to 50 feet of water. Boats targeting deeper waters (100 to 300 feet of water) report decent catches of chinook salmon, rainbow trout and a few coho salmon while using a variety of spoons or flashers with flies. Water temperatures were reported to be 67 degrees Fahrenheit on the surface, but were getting below 60 degrees Fahrenheit about 30 feet down.

Piers/Shoreline: Anglers fishing, mostly coal dock or off the south pier, report catching chinook salmon on cured spawn and jigging spoons, mostly early in the morning. A few are also being caught on crankbaits and glow spoons off South Pier at night. Water temperatures in the harbor were 76 degrees Fahrenheit this weekend, but cooler waters are just outside the harbor (67 degrees Fahrenheit).

Racine County

Ramps: Boaters continue to fish in and around the Root River area, as many fish have already gone upstream. A couple of coho salmon were caught this week near the entrance to the river as well as along North Point. The fishing, however, has still been dominated by chinook salmon biting on cured spawn.

Piers/Shoreline: Pier and shoreline fishermen reported catches in Chinook, especially where the lake meets the harbor. Cured spawn seems to be the main method that is catching fish this week, as most anglers throwing spoons or otherwise reported little to no fish.

The Root River Open House is on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, see our news release on open houses throughout the state.

Sheboygan County

Piers/Shoreline: Anglers fishing the south pier reported some success catching Chinooks on the harbor side of the pier. Chinooks can be seen jumping in the mouth of the Sheboygan River. Spawn sacs were most successful, followed by glow-in-the-dark spoons during low-light conditions. Water temperatures have been warm; the mouth of the Sheboygan River was 70 degrees on Saturday afternoon.