Fishing_Content Page_Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report

Lake Michigan Outdoor Fishing Report - Oct. 5-12, 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.

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.

 

Oct. 12, 2026: West Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Brown County

Duck Creek: Low fishing pressure was seen at Duck Creek this week with many pleasure boaters out enjoying the weather this weekend. Successful anglers reported catches of yellow perch, largemouth bass and a few panfish. Yellow perch were smaller in size within Duck Creek, but a few keepers were harvested using live bait. Largemouth bass were smaller in size, ranging between 5 to 11 inches and were caught on a variety of lures and live bait. Water temperatures were around 63 degrees this week.

Fox River: Moderate fishing activity was seen this week on the Fox River. Anglers targeted a variety of species including yellow perch, muskellunge, walleye, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Successful anglers reported catches of yellow perch, muskellunge, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum, gizzard shad and northern pike. Yellow perch that were caught ranged in size between 4 to 10 inches and were caught on live bait by anglers fishing on Green Bay proper. Very few muskellunge were reported as being caught this week with the few muskies caught ranging from 38 to 52 inches long. Walleyes were caught just below the De Pere Dam this week by anglers jigging in 3-8 feet of water along with a few anglers trolling the deeper channels. Successful walleye anglers caught walleyes ranging from 10 to 23 inches with most averaging around 19 inches. Water temperatures reached 63 degrees in Green Bay while river temperatures reached 65 degrees by the end of the weekend.

Suamico River: Moderate fishing activity was seen out of the Suamico River boat launch. Many recreational duck hunters and pleasure boaters were seen at this location. Anglers targeted yellow perch, muskellunge and walleye. Successful anglers reported catches of yellow perch, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass and gizzard shad. Yellow perch were found near the bait balls up and down the west shoreline in waters of 4 to 8 feet deep. Fishing with live bait near the bait balls was the most productive tactic with perch between 6 to 13 inches being caught. Northern pike were few and far between and ranged in size between 27 to 38 inches. Muskellunge were difficult to land this week with only a few successful anglers reporting catching muskies between 43-50 inches in 10 feet of water. Water temperatures ranged from 60 to 63 degrees this week.

Marinette County

There was not much for fishing pressure this week. Many days had high winds which kept boaters off the water. The pink salmon run was winding up this week with only a few fish left hanging around the dams. A few more Chinook salmon showed up this week in the Peshtigo and Menominee rivers. With cooler temperatures coming up there should be some brown trout coming into the rivers as well. Water temperatures were around the 60 degree mark. 

Oconto County

A few yellow perch anglers were out on the bay out of Oconto when the winds would allow it. Best action was in deeper waters of 30 to 40 feet on minnows. Some days there were also white perch mixed in as well. The pink salmon run was coming to an end this week with very few fish left by the Stiles dam. A few Chinook salmon started to show up near the dam. Areas downstream from the dam were hard to fish with the extremely low water levels. Water temperature was around 60 degrees or slightly warmer.

 

Oct. 12, 2026: East Shore Green Bay Fishing Report

Bayshore Park: Limited fishing activity was observed this week. Windy conditions were present on many days this week which likely limited angler effort. Anglers targeting yellow perch had the best success fishing just north of Bayshore Park in around 17 to 20 feet of water using a mix of nightcrawlers and minnows. Anglers had mixed success and stated that the bite was very light, so sensitive poles were needed. No anglers targeting other species were interviewed. The water temperature was around 62 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eagle's Nest: Limited to moderate fishing pressure was observed this week. Windy conditions were present on many days this week which likely limited angler effort. Anglers targeting muskies had good success trolling hard plastics and blade baits near Vincent Point. Anglers targeting yellow perch had a challenging time due to the windy and wavy conditions, which resulted in limited catches. The water temperature was around 62 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chaudoir’s Dock: Limited fishing pressure was observed this week. Windy conditions were present on many days this week which likely limited angler effort. A few anglers targeting yellow perch were interviewed, and they stated that it was challenging to fish due to the wind. No catches were reported. The water temperature in the area was around 62 degrees Fahrenheit.

Little Sturgeon Bay: Limited fishing pressure was observed this week. Windy conditions were present on many days this week which likely limited angler effort. Anglers interviewed this week were targeting yellow perch and had some success fishing within Little Sturgeon Bay using minnows in around 10 feet of water. Most of the yellow perch caught were small, although a few larger ones were mixed in. No anglers targeting walleye or smallmouth bass were interviewed this week. The water temperature was around 61 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sawyer Harbor: Limited fishing pressure was observed this week. Windy conditions were present on many days this week which likely limited angler effort. Anglers targeting yellow perch stated that it was too challenging to fish due to the wind, so very few yellow perch were caught. No anglers targeting other species were interviewed. The water temperature was around 61 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Oct. 5, 2026: Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

Door County

Northern Door County: Anglers continue to target smallmouth bass, yellow perch, walleye, and Chinook salmon. At Egg Harbor Pier anglers targeting Chinook salmon had success with crankbaits, spawn and skein, catching fish around 10 pounds. Anglers also targeted smallmouth bass and yellow perch, with minnows producing fish. Perch measured approximately 7.5–8 inches. In Sister Bay, boaters targeting smallmouth bass had success using Ned rigs with 2-inch plastics in 8–9 feet of water. Water temperatures were around 63 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sturgeon Bay: This week most anglers fishing the shorelines were going after smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Both species were recorded caught along with freshwater drum. A mix of worms, minnows and artificial worms were used as bait by those with fish. Throughout the week, boaters fishing in the canal were targeted many different species. Smallmouth bass groups were mostly in 16 feet of water using bright soft plastics. Yellow perch boaters fished 12 to 20 feet of water and preferred using minnows over worms. Walleye were caught in 20 feet of water and northern pike were caught in 18 feet of water. Surface temperature in the canal was around 63 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee County

Algoma: The pier saw anglers come out early and late fishing for Chinook and coho salmon. Down the Ahnapee River, anglers were split evenly either targeting salmon or northern pike. Water clarity on the river was murky again this week being around a foot of visibility. Boaters were similarly going after Chinook and Coho salmon and reported catching Chinook salmon; however, they were split when it came to the depth of water they were in. Some groups were shallow, fishing in 12 feet of water. Other groups were in as deep as 300 feet of water reporting bites between 50 to 80 feet down. Orange and green flasher flies and j-plugs were mostly used. The average surface temperature rose this week being around 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kewaunee: Anglers were lined up along the pier and harbor shorelines again this week targeting primarily Chinook and coho salmon. Both of these species were recorded caught with green and blue spoons being the typical lure of choice for those with fish. The majority of boaters were fishing within the harbor area. Chinook salmon were caught in 10 to 12 feet of water by these groups. Surface temperatures climbed as the days went on. The harbor was anywhere from 63 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the week.

Manitowoc County

No report available this week.

 

Oct. 12, 2026: Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report

No report available this week.