Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - Jan. 26, 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.

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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.

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.

 

Jan. 26, 2026: West Shore Green Bay Ice Creel Report

Fox River Route

Voyageur Park and Perkofski Landing: All activity on the river was observed at these two spots. Most fishing pressure was seen right off Voyageur Park. A few shacks were seen in the channel and going downstream. Walleyes were being caught in fair numbers, with the best action coming from anglers fishing away from the group. Jigging spoons, jigging raps and jigs all tipped with minnow heads were catching fish. Anglers reported the size of the catches being 10 to 23 inches. The ice was reported to be 7 to 8 inches thick in the river channel. A petroleum tanker is scheduled to arrive in the lower Fox River early in the week of January 26.  

Oconto Route

There were no routes this week. 

Suamico Route

Geano Beach: Trucks were observed out by the first row of shacks. Anglers out on the reefs were seen using ATVs and UTVs to access that area. Several permanent shacks were brought out this week.

Long Tail Point: Low activity was observed, with only a few trucks seen on the ice and minimal vehicles parked on shore.

Sunset Beach Lane: More permanent shacks were being put out during the recent cold spell. Anglers were spread out from the end of Little Tail Point south to outside of Long Tail Point. Some perch were being caught, but anglers reported that it was a tough bite with the extreme temperatures lately. 

 

Jan. 26, 2026: East Shore Green Bay Ice Creel Report

Bayshore Route: Moderate fishing activity was observed this week across the different locations. Red River and Bayshore Park continued to have the heaviest fishing activity. The ice thickness was reported to be 12 to 14 inches. Anglers targeting whitefish had limited success overall, though a few were caught with tungsten jigs and wax worms. There were no reports of walleye or yellow perch being caught.

Little Sturgeon Bay: There was moderate fishing pressure observed within Little Sturgeon Bay. Anglers targeting yellow perch within Little Sturgeon Bay had some success, although most of the yellow perch were on the smaller side. Ice thickness within Little Sturgeon Bay was reported to be around 14 inches. There was an increase in anglers accessing the ice from Lime Kiln Road and Big Rock Place. Most anglers fishing out of these two locations were targeting whitefish, although few were caught. The anglers who caught some whitefish were using a mix of tungsten jigs with wax worms and plastic jigs. Some anglers had success catching whitefish on guided trips that went out of Riley's Bay Road.

Sawyer Harbor: There was moderate fishing activity observed within Sawyer Harbor, with most of the anglers accessing the ice from Potawatomi State Park. Anglers targeting yellow perch had moderate success, although most of the yellow perch that were caught were on the smaller side. A few anglers were going out on the ice from Cabot’s Point Road and Oak Avenue. One group of anglers had great success catching whitefish off of Cabot's Point Road. The anglers were using plastic jigs and wax worms. The reported ice thickness ranged from 12 to 14 inches.

 

Nov. 17, 2025: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

The 2025 open water creel season has ended for Northern Lake Michigan. Thank you to all those who participated in the survey this year. We look forward to seeing everyone again next spring!

 

Nov. 17, 2025: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

The 2025 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!