Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - May 19, 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.

 

May 19, 2025: West Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Brown County

Duck Creek: Shore anglers have been prevalent at Duck Creek, even with the overcast weather this weekend. Many are reporting catches of smallmouth bass, yellow perch, white bass and northern pike. The water temperature was 68 degrees Fahrenheit from the pier. 

Fox River Boating Anglers: Moderate to high fishing pressure was observed throughout the week. Anglers targeting walleye and smallmouth bass were interviewed this week. Walleye anglers had the best success trolling crank baits and crawler harnesses in 8 to 10 feet of water. Other fish being caught more frequently this past week include sheepshead, northern pike, white bass and channel catfish. Water temperatures were around 64 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the week.

Suamico River: Moderate to heavy fishing pressure was observed throughout the week. There was a walleye tournament over the weekend, resulting in good numbers of anglers pre-fishing for the tournament during the week, followed by good numbers of anglers fishing in the tournament over the weekend. Trolling crank baits and crawler harnesses proved to be the most effective tactic to catch walleye, with most walleye caught being between 16 and 28 inches. Other fish being reported include sheepshead, yellow perch, northern pike, and white bass. Water temperatures were around 59 degrees Fahrenheit on the east shore and around 65 degrees Fahrenheit near the Suamico River.

Marinette County

Fishing activity was rather low this week. Anglers on the Menominee River were catching walleye around the Hwy 41 bridge on crawlers. Others were fishing musky on the Michigan shoreline with limited success. Reminder that the catch and release season for muskies is open all year on the Michigan side of the lower Menominee River, but the musky season on the Wisconsin side doesn’t open until June 1. The musky season on the other Green Bay tributaries in Wisconsin opens this upcoming Saturday, May 24. Peshtigo River anglers were catching smallmouth and walleye upstream at the city landing. Smallmouth anglers were fishing the shorelines upstream from the launch for good action. Walleyes were being caught downstream in the deeper holes on jigs and crawlers. 

Oconto County

Anglers were having good luck for walleye this week on the bay. Pensaukee, Oconto and Oconto County Park 2 had good reports when the weather cooperated. Trolling crawler harnesses and flicker shads in shallow water seemed to work best. Most anglers were targeting 4 to 8 feet of water. Smallmouth bass fishing was good in the upper Oconto River. A variety of swimbaits and other plastics were working well.

Geano Beach: Even with the overcast weather over the weekend, many trailers were seen parked at Geano Beach. Anglers looking for walleye reported success while trolling water depths between 8 to 10 feet. The walleyes that were caught ranged between 17 to 21 inches. Water temperatures ranged between 65 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

May 19, 2025: East Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Bayshore Park: Limited to moderate fishing activity was observed this week. Most of the week had windy conditions. Anglers targeting walleye had the best success trolling flicker minnows near Shoemaker Point in around 5 to 8 feet of water. Some anglers reported catching between 20 and 50 walleye per boat during a weekend walleye tournament. The water temperature was around 56 degrees Fahrenheit later in the week. 

Chaudoir’s Dock: Limited fishing pressure was observed this week. Most of the week had windy conditions that limited fishing opportunities. Anglers targeting walleye had the best success trolling flicker minnows near Shoemaker Point in around 7 feet of water. The water temperature was around 56 degrees Fahrenheit later in the week.

Little Sturgeon Bay: Moderate fishing pressure was observed this week. Most of the week had windy conditions. Anglers targeting smallmouth bass had the best success fishing in around 5 to 7 feet of water using tubes and jerk baits. Anglers were also unintentionally catching walleye while targeting smallmouth bass. The water temperature was around 58 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sawyer Harbor: Limited fishing activity was observed this week. Many of the days this week had windy conditions that limited anglers’ ability to get out fishing.

 

May 19, 2025: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

Shore anglers had some success catching Coho, primarily using shrimp and cut bait. Success catching Coho from boats was down compared to previous weeks.

Milwaukee County

McKinley Pier: Anglers fishing off piers reported mixed luck, encountering fish with a variety of lures and bait. Anglers who did have success had smaller harvests of coho, with the occasional brown trout in the mix. A brown caught off the lakeside of McKinley Pier reached 11 pounds.

Ramps: Anglers in search of coho salmon continue to reach daily bag limits. Harvested cohos were mostly between 2 and 4 pounds. Some anglers also caught a few Chinook salmon and rainbow trout while targeting cohos in depths of 15 to 30 feet using orange dodgers and flashers with peanut flies. Rainbow trout harvested were around 4 to 6 pounds. Boats fishing in depths around 100 feet reported harvests with nearly equal amounts of cohos and kings, all caught using green flashers and peanut flies.

Ozaukee County

Port Washington Piers/Harbor: Catches of brown trout and coho salmon have been reported off the south pier and Coal Dock. Most people are having success using both alewives and casting spoons. The north pier is currently closed.

Port Washington Ramps: Most anglers are reporting limits of coho salmon with frequent catches of rainbow trout as well. Some Chinook salmon have been reported as well. Boats were having the most success running a variety of coho rigs (mainly coho dodgers and flies, but also some spoons in a variety of colors). The most productive depths were around 150 to 250 feet, with baits running around 30 feet down.

Racine County

Shore anglers caught many coho, primarily using shrimp, with reports of brown trout caught earlier in the week. The boat catch slowed down from previous weeks in Racine as well.

Sheboygan County

Sheboygan Harbor and Piers: Some catches of coho salmon and brown trout were reported off both the north and south piers. Casting spoons and using alewives have both been productive strategies early in the mornings. The water near the harbor has been dirty due to the recent rain. 

Sheboygan Ramps: Catches of coho salmon and some rainbow trout have been reported, with most coho catches being around 3 to 4 pounds. Most boats are having success in 25 to 50 feet of water on a variety of coho rigs, like orange dodgers, flies and different-colored spoons.

 

May 19, 2025: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Northern Door County: Many anglers were targeting smallmouth bass from shore or boat. Boat anglers in Rowley's Bay and Ephriam had the most success. Most anglers had success using swimbaits and minnows in 4 to 10 feet of water. Anglers at Bue's Point also had great success catching smallmouth bass in 2 to 5 feet of water using jerkbaits and jigs. Water temperatures were in the low 40s on the Lake Michigan side of the Door Peninsula.

Sturgeon Bay: Anglers fishing the shores were primarily targeting smallmouth bass and walleye. Smallmouth bass were caught using soft plastics by anglers fishing the Stone Quarry. Boat anglers were also going after smallmouth bass and walleye, along with some groups targeting northern pike. Smallmouth bass anglers were mainly fishing in 5 to 12 feet of water. Light colored paddle tails were commonly used by anglers. Northern pike anglers were fishing in around 3 to 7 feet of water using tube baits. Surface temperatures in the canal ranged from 52 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit. Surface temperatures by the Stone Quarry were around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee County

Algoma: On the shorelines of Algoma, anglers were going for both northern pike and smallmouth bass. Boat anglers on Lake Michigan were targeting both trout and salmon. No fish were recorded as being caught by those interviewed. Markings of fish were reported to be 15 to 40 feet deep in 50 feet of water. Surface temperatures fell between 44 to 47 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee: Many anglers were catching common carp and bullheads in the harbor shorelines using corn as bait. A group of boat anglers was fishing the Kewaunee River and catching bowfin using swim jigs. Water clarity was low in the harbor, being around 1 to 2 feet of visibility.

Manitowoc County

Shore anglers have reported some good catches of bullhead using a variety of live bait and cut bait fished on the bottom. Some other notable catches included two bowfin and a channel catfish. Water clarity was poor due to consistently windy conditions. A white bass was caught in Manitowoc on live bait. One coho salmon was reported by anglers using the ramp.