Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - Aug. 25, 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.

 

Aug. 25, 2025: West Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Brown County

Fox River Anglers: Angler activity this week was largely driven by weather. Moderate activity was observed on days when the weather allowed boaters to get out. Most interviewed anglers reported tough fishing conditions regardless of what species they were targeting. Boating anglers reported targeting muskellunge and northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and walleye. Shore anglers reported catching low numbers of bluegill and freshwater drum. Water temperatures averaged around 75 degrees Fahrenheit before the windy weather over the weekend. 

Suamico River: Angler activity this week was largely driven by weather. Most anglers were targeting walleye, yellow perch, bass and muskellunge, with very few fish reported as being caught. Boating anglers reported 75-degree Fahrenheit water temperatures and wave heights of 1-2 feet on Friday. 

Marinette County

Most anglers seen were pre-fishing for the walleye tournament on the weekend, and they were met with challenging conditions. Winds from all directions had churned up the water. Green Island and Chambers Island were the popular spots, along with a few fish being caught along the shoreline north of town. Trolling baits like flicker minnows was popular. Casting shiver minnows was also producing some fish.

Oconto County

Walleye and perch catches were a bit lighter early in the week after the northeast winds. Fish of both species seemed to be scattered. Trolling crawler harnesses was working for walleyes and perch. Anglers targeting perch were getting an occasional walleye as well.  Fishing pressure for muskies out of Pensaukee was high this week. Most anglers reported catching at least one fish or raising one, with as many as five being caught by one boat. Most anglers were casting around the weed beds. Fish that were caught were reported as being anywhere from 30 to 51 inches long.

Geano Beach: Angler activity this week was largely driven by weather. When the weather was nicer on Friday, over 30 boats launched out of Geano Beach. Most boat anglers were targeting walleye, yellow perch and muskellunge. Water temperatures ranged in the mid-70s prior to the winds and rain over the weekend. 

 

Aug. 25, 2025: East Shore Green Bay Creel Report

Bayshore County Park: There was limited boating activity observed this week due to windy and rainy conditions on many days. There were no anglers interviewed this week, and no water temperature was reported.

Chaudoir’s Dock: There was limited boating activity observed this week due to windy and rainy conditions on many days. One angler who was targeting muskies was interviewed, but that angler did not report any catches. The reported water temperature was around 67 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eagle’s Nest: There was limited boating activity observed this week due to windy and rainy conditions on many days. One angler who was targeting muskies was interviewed, but that angler did not report any catches. The reported water temperature was around 67° Fahrenheit.

Little Sturgeon Bay: Limited fishing pressure was observed this week due to windy and rainy conditions on many days. One angler who was targeting smallmouth bass was interviewed, and that angler managed to catch 10 smallmouth bass near Sand Bay using plastic rigs. The water temperature was around 67 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sawyer Harbor: Limited fishing pressure was observed this week due to windy and rainy conditions on many days. One angler was interviewed and reported catching one smallmouth bass using live nightcrawlers. No water temperature was reported.

 

Aug. 25, 2025: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Kenosha County

Ramps: Fishing was good this week for boaters as the fish continued to stage for spawning. The best depth this week was around 90-140 feet of water and consisted mostly of Chinook salmon. The evening bite after sundown continues to be the preferred time to hook into limits of fish. After sunup, the fishing dramatically slows down and sends boaters back to the ramp. 

Piers/Shoreline: The pier fishing is starting to see much more pressure as we get close to spawning season. The piers have been lined with people for the last few days, but the catch has been minimal. A couple of rainbow trout and one Chinook salmon were caught this weekend, but nothing over 10 pounds. The bite is still very slow, with most anglers walking away empty-handed. Perch fishermen continue to encounter gobies and haven’t had much success anywhere but the ends of the pier near the lighthouses. 
 

Milwaukee County

Ramps: A few shoreline anglers on McKinley Pier this last Sunday had some luck targeting Chinook salmon by jigging spoons off the pier/into the North Gap, with 16-pound kings being caught either just before or shortly after sunrise. A kayak angler also caught 3 smaller brown trout and a 15-pound king in the North Gap at a similar time frame using a crank bait. Water temperature shifted back to warmer temps with the lake still reading around 60 degrees in depths past 90 feet. Anglers launching at Milwaukee County boat ramps are targeting waters due east between 120-150 feet deep, with most pulling kings and browns using 10 colors, or downriggers set at 50-80 feet down.

Shoreline: Shoreline anglers at Oak Creek Power Plant are finding the occasional channel catfish and smallmouth bass when casting crank baits into the middle of the discharge corridor, with freshwater drum still hitting lures off the end of the pier throughout the morning. 
 

Ozaukee County

Port Washington Piers/ Harbor: Catches of Chinook salmon, coho salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout have been reported. Surface temperatures have been between 65 and 70 degrees. Common tactics have been casting spoons and using alewives.

Port Washington Ramp: Anglers have been reporting frequent catches of Chinook salmon, as well as occasional rainbow trout and Coho salmon. The most productive depths have been between 100 and 150 feet of water, running baits between 60 and 100 feet down. Surface water temperatures have slightly cooled and are now between 63 and 70 degrees. The most productive tactics have been using flasher flies and spoons in a variety of colors. 
 

Racine County

Ramps: Fishing really picked up this week for boaters. Most anglers were catching near limits or limiting out this past weekend. The highest catch rates were between 70 and 110 feet of water, with early bites being the most successful. Variety was also high this week as anglers brought all five major trout and salmon species. The highest catch rates were on Chinook and rainbows.

Piers/Shoreline: Anglers from the pier and shorelines have been experiencing slow catch rates. A few salmon have started to make their way to the piers, but not in large enough numbers to make a difference in fishing success. Perch fishing has also slowed down drastically, but some anglers have been able to catch a few smallmouth bass out of the harbors.
 

Sheboygan County

Sheboygan Harbor and Piers: Catches of Chinook salmon have been reported off both the North and South piers. The most common tactic has been casting jigging spoons. Surface temperatures are cooling but are still around 65-70 degrees.

Sheboygan Ramps: Anglers have been reporting high catches of Chinook salmon, as well as occasional rainbow trout and Coho salmon this week. The most productive depths have been between 100-160 feet of water, with baits deep in the water column 65-100 feet down. Surface temperatures have been cooling down, but are still around 65-70 degrees. Flasher flies and spoons in a variety of colors have been the most productive tactics. 

 

Aug. 25, 2025: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Northern Door County: It was a bit of a rough week, given the variable weather conditions, but that didn’t keep anglers off the waters. Boat anglers were targeting smallmouth bass, walleye and Chinook salmon. Those fishing from shore were also hoping to catch smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Boaters looking to catch smallmouth had good success in Ellison Bay using night crawlers in 20 feet of water. Anglers at Bue’s Point used artificial baits in 10-20 feet. Anglers fishing at Bue’s Point caught a couple of northern pike while looking for bass. Anglers targeting walleye had a rough go at it this week, but some in Ellison Bay were still able to pull a few using night crawlers around 20 feet. Lastly, those looking to catch Chinook salmon saw results out of Bue’s Point using spoons at 100-130 feet while trolling around 2.5mph. Some rainbow trout were also caught using this strategy. Shore anglers had a ton of success catching smallmouth bass in Ephraim using leeches and night crawlers. Those targeting perch were able to catch some in Egg Harbor with night crawlers. 

Sturgeon Bay: Anglers fishing the shorelines were primarily going for smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Both smallmouth bass and yellow perch were caught along with rock bass. Worms and minnows were typically used as bait. Boaters fishing in the canal were mainly targeting yellow perch. Species caught throughout the week from these surveyed boaters include yellow perch, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, freshwater drum, and white sucker. Yellow perch boaters were in 14 to 18 feet of water using worms and minnows. Walleye groups were typically fishing in 15 to 25 feet of water. Surface temperature average in the canal was about 71 degrees Fahrenheit. On Lake Michigan, groups were going after trout and salmon, with rainbow trout and Chinook salmon being caught. The average depth of water that groups were fishing in was mainly between 120 to 140 feet. The surface temperature average was around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Kewaunee County

Algoma: On the north pier, anglers were targeting both trout and salmon. No fish were reported caught by those surveyed. Anglers fishing in Ahnapee River were mainly going after yellow perch. Along with yellow perch, other species reported caught include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, bowfin, creek chub, and bullhead. Boaters out on Lake Michigan were going after both trout and salmon, with rainbow trout and Chinook salmon being caught during the week. Most of the bites fell between 60 and 80 feet down, and most groups were fishing in 120 to 150 feet of water. Surface temperatures were higher this week, ranging from 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee: The pier and shorelines saw anglers targeting both trout and salmon during the week. From those surveyed, brown trout and Chinook salmon were caught with spoons. Lake Michigan boaters were also going after both trout and salmon, with rainbow trout, coho salmon and Chinook salmon being caught. The average depth of bites was between 70 to 80 feet down. The average depth of water most groups were fishing in was around 130 to 160 feet. Surface temperatures ranged from 68 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit with an average of about 70 degrees. 

Manitowoc County

Anglers have been catching a few Chinook salmon with an occasional rainbow trout mixed in. Interviewed groups have been averaging two fish per trip. Storms on Monday brought in heavy winds. Interviewed groups reported high surface temperatures around 71 degrees. Anglers who caught fish were in 80-110 feet of water. The bites were midway down in the water column. A mix of spoons and flasher flies was effective, with blue and green being standout colors. Early in the week, anglers fishing piers had remarkable success. A total of 15 salmon were recorded last Sunday from Two Rivers piers, all caught on casting spoons. Since then, effort has remained high, but the only catches have included a channel catfish and some freshwater drum. Anglers fishing the Two Rivers harbor, targeting carp, have had good catches. There were 13 recorded, mostly on boilie rigs.